Several low handicap players are on the island to provide tough competition for the local players at this weekend’s Bermuda Stroke Play Championships, which starts tomorrow at Port Royal Golf Course.

Roland and York Beights, 18-year-old brothers from Virginia, are both plus-two handicappers as is another 18-year-old, Chase Fritz, from Texas.

Bryce Gorrell from Ohio is another 18-year-old in the field and he plays off a one handicap. The visitors will battle it out with Bermuda’s top amateurs, including Mark Phillips, the two-time defending champion, and Jaryd Dillas, a former stroke play champion.

Phillips plays off a plus-one handicap and Dillas a plus-two handicap. Others to watch in the field include Will Haddrell, Nichard Neame, Adam Mattatall and Jevon Roberts, are all low handicap players.

Eric West, who has returned to the amateur ranks after relinquishing his professional status, is another favourite in the Men’s Championship Flight.

Experienced player Robert Vallis, who has had a very successful amateur career, is a senior taking on the younger players in the Men’s Championship Division.

A new champion will be crowned in the Ladies Championship Division where last year’s winner, Ebonie Burgess, is not competing this year. Elizabeth Parsons, Katrin Burnie, Linda Down and Kathy Lloyd-Hines will all be battling for the vacant title.

In the Senior Men’s Championship Flight is Hav Trott, the defending champion, Arthur Jones and Terry Mullan all of whom are very competitive and quite capable of taking the title on Sunday.

Conditions are expected to be challenging with the forecast for some high winds tomorrow and possibly into Saturday.