A record number of professionals will be among those competing for $60,000 in prize money during next week’s Gosling’s Invitational at Belmont Hills Golf Club.

As many as 43 pros have registered for the 72-hole event, nine of which will be making their debut.

Among the pros is reigning champion Bill Walsh who will rest his title on the line.

The Canadian captured a second Gosling’s crown after coming from four shots behind to secure a one-shot victory over compatriot and former Nationwide Tour player Brian McCann.

Walsh, who carded a one-over par 71 in breezy conditions to the finish the tournament with an even par 280, secured the $12,000 winner’s purse after McCann bogeyed the par three 17th.

It proved to be the final twist to an enthralling battle between the two Canadians who swapped the lead four times on the back nine.

McCann is also returning this year and will undoubtedly be looking to clear the final hurdle and clinch a maiden Gosling’s title.

Another past champion, American Joe Horowitz, is also returning this year.

Other overseas pros expected to be in the hunt for Walsh’s crown are Canadian siblings Matthew and Mark Hoffman and American Jordan Mitchell, who led the field at the halfway stage of last year’s tournament before falling off the pace.

Daniel Augustus led the local pros with a four round total of four over par 284.

Augustus is back this year and will be keen to build on his previous showing at this event.

Other local pros in this year’s field include Camiko Smith, Nick Jones and past winner Dwayne Pearman.

No local has won the professional division since Pearman in the 1990s when the tournament was known as the Belmont Invitational.

Local Joshua Cabrera is the reigning junior amateur champion.

Cabrera is back to defend his title and is certain to have his work cut out in a field that also boasts reigning Bermuda Open and Bacardi Par 3 World Championship amateur champion Jevon Roberts and Mark Phillips.

This year’s 46-strong amateur field is comprised of players from Canada, USA and the Caribbean.

Bermuda’s Hav Trott is the defending senior champion.

The Gosling’s Invitational will be held December 2-5.