Invitation for a second successive year.

The New England professional goes into next week's tournament boosted by a productive year, which he believes he can cap with a repeat success at the Belmont Golf Club.

"I'm very excited about coming over for the Belmont after what happened last year and I believe I can win it again,'' said Parajekas.

"I've been playing well all year and my game's now in top shape, so of course I'm feeling confident.'' Having pocketed around $40,000 in prize money already this year, Parajekas has been the top earner in New England golf.

"I've won several small tournaments and I've usually finished in the top five in the bigger ones. Last year was my best ever, but this one has been nearly as good,'' he added.

The 48-year-old, who is based at the Woburn Country Club, 12 miles north of Boston, has a special fondness for Bermuda and the Invitation, which he has entered consistently over the past two decades.

"I regularly finished in the top two or three and people on the Island kept telling me that one year I'd win it. After always being the bridesmaid, last year turned out to be my year,'' added Parajekas.

The $10,000 he took home from Bermuda was the biggest prize of his career.

"I never thought about the money while I was playing, it was only the victory that mattered,'' he said.

Parajekas acknowledged he would face stiff local competition for the tournament, this year known as the Gosling's-Amstel Invitation Championships.

"Dwayne Pearman has always played well in this tournament, but any of the Bermuda professionals are capable of winning it.'' And Parajekas also expected a strong challenge from fellow New England professional Tom Sullivan.

The 72-hole tournament tees off at 7.15 a.m. on Monday, concluding on Thursday. Two warm-up events take place at Belmont this weekend, a junior fundraiser today and a Pro-Am tomorrow.