CUMBERWELL Park golf manager Ali James reckons it was a “no-brainer’’ for the EuroPro Tour to return to the Bradford on Avon course after the success of last year’s tournament.

The £46,000 three-day GRENKE Championship takes place from next Wednesday as 168 golfers from European golf’s third tier battle it out for the £10,000 prize.

Former Walker Cup player Stiggy Hodgson won last year’s HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at Cumberwell in a three-way sudden-death play-off after shooting a course record final round of 63.

The event was declared a success by the EuroPro Tour last season and was well supported by the club’s membership, making a return this year almost inevitable.

James said: “All the preparation has gone well and it’s nice that they have come back this year.

“Everyone really enjoyed last year’s event and feedback we had from both the players and the organisers of the tour was very good. We had well over 150 people watching the end of it last year and it worked really well.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer to come back really. The members have really supported it and they’ve got involved with the volunteering on things like ball-spotting.’’ The current top three in the tour’s Order of Merit - leader Gary King, Darren Wright and Sam Connor - will all tee it up while Wiltshire vice-captain James is also in the field, alongside fellow Cumberwell amateur Luke Ayrton and pros Alex Blewett, Will Brown, Laurie Canter and Alex Pike.

Wiltshire professionals Sam Matton (Bowood) and Martin Sell (Wrag Barn Golf Club) are also in the field.

Dorset’s Luke Joy, who was one of those beaten in the play-off by Hodgson last year, also returns.

James added: “We know that the top guys on the Order of Merit will be playing and there are a good number of local players too.

“We’re just hoping for a good event and a bit of good weather for it now.’’ Entry to watch next week’s 54-tournament is free, with play running from 7am-7pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

A cut to the leading 50 players and ties who will play a final 18 holes on Friday takes place after Thursday’s second round.

A 56-team pre-tournament Pro-Am takes place at Cumberwell Park on Monday.

l LAURA Curtis of Whitley, Wiltshire is one of 23 youngsters heading to the final of the Abraham Trophy to find the most improved girl golfer in the country.

The 18-hole final is at Royal Cromer in Norfolk on Sunday, July 26.