Local champions Arthur Jones and Ebonie Burgess will be back to defend their Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship titles when this year?s event officially gets underway tomorrow at Mid Ocean Club.

Last year saw Jones defeat American and 1998 champion Cy Kilgore while Burgess had to go the distance against Susie Elton ? also returning for another shot at the prestigious crown.

Starting tomorrow a total of 60 local and overseas golfers will tee off at Mid Ocean in a bid to qualify for the Match Play Championships, one of the highlights on the local golf calendar, which kick off in earnest on Wednesday.

At stake during tomorrow?s medal round are a total of 32 qualifying spots among the men and another 18 for women.

The 2005 Match Play Championships which consists of four rounds concludes on Saturday.

Other notables in this year?s field include Blake Marshall, 2003 champion Robert Vallis ? who missed last year?s tournament ? and Jonathan Ingham.

In addition to Burgess and Elton, Sandy Hutchings and 2003 champion Jenny Chattock are also expected to be in the hunt for top honours in their respective division.

Chattock did not compete in last year?s event due to pregnancy.

Burgess is due to fly back from studies at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida to defend her title.