Katrin Burnie says she is excited to have the opportunity to compete again in her favourite format at a venue which holds a special place in her heart.

The 63-year-old is set to defend her Bermuda Match Play Championship women’s title at Port Royal Golf Course, where she first began playing the sport.

“I am feeling good and it’s going to be fun to play again,” Burnie told The Royal Gazette. “Match Play is the golf tournament I like the most and it’s always fun to play it.

“I had a practice round yesterday and played pretty good, so I hope I can keep it going.

“Port Royal is one of my favourite courses. I started playing there when I started playing golf, so it’s kind of special for me.”

Because of the unavailability of players, the women’s championship flight consists of only four players, including Tracy Burgess, Ebonie Burgess and Linda Down.

“It’s a little bit of shame because we only have four ladies,” Burnie added. “We wanted to have eight ladies to be able to have the regular match play.

“It’s too bad we did not get more participants. I think there’s some other tournaments at other clubs so we were struggling.”

Burnie is gunning for a third successive women’s national match play title and fourth overall this year.

“I won the last two tournaments so if I win it again it’s going to be the third running,” she said.

“I am going to try my best even though Ebonie [Cox] is playing this year. She is a really good player, but I will try my best.”

As well as the course, the weather conditions could also prove tricky for the field.

“I think Friday and Saturday looks OK, but Sunday doesn’t look so good,” Burnie said. “I think we are playing in the afternoon, so hopefully the weather will have passed by then.”

Burnie retained her title with a 2 and 1 win over Kim Botelho in last year’s final.

Meanwhile, also back to defend his title is men’s champion Will Haddrell who was unavailable for comment.

Haddrell defeated eight-times champion Jarryd Dillas 2 and 1 in last year’s final and is heading into the event with momentum, having captured a maiden win on the inaugural Moon Gate Tour at Ocean View Golf Club last month.

Other notable players in the men’s championship flight include past champion Jevon Roberts, youngster Oliver Betschart and the in-form Nick Jones, who is fresh off an impressive fifth place showing at the Trinidad & Tobago Open last month.

Also back to defend his title in the senior men’s championship flight is Calvin Hendrickson, who defeated Craig Christensen 4 and 2 in last year’s final.

The tournament starts tomorrow with the stroke play medal round.