Round 1 of the 36-hole stroke-play event goes Saturday.
"To me it looks like one of the strongest fields (in the tournament's history)," said Dallas Desjardins, general manager of the host Summerside Golf and Country Club. "It's a stronger field than last year handicap-wise."
Justin Dawson will be looking for back-to-back overall titles after winning the Clark's Toyota Cup a year ago. Dawson fired rounds of 71 and 70 on the par-72 course for a two-stroke victory over Championship Division-winner Tim Yorke.
Play will be contested in the following divisions - Pro, Championship, First, Second and Ladies.
"There are a lot of very good players," said Desjardins. "We have some of the top amateurs, Tim Yorke, Anthony Warren, John Schurman, along with young up-and-coming guys like Greg MacAulay, who's the leader of the junior Order of Merit right now. . . We also have a field of 12 pros coming."
We have some of the top amateurs, Tim Yorke, Anthony Warren, John Schurman, along with young up-and-coming guys like Greg MacAulay. - Dallas Desjardins, Summerside Golf and Country Club
Warren was crowned P.E.I. amateur champion in Stanhope last weekend while Yorke, who resides in Kensington, won the mid-amateur title. MacAulay recently claimed the provincial junior boys' championship.
"It should be some great golf and low scores," noted Summerside Golf and Country Club head professional Nick Frid.
