Houston facing tough challenge

Garry Houston defends his PGA in Cheshire & North Wales Open title at Northop Country Park next Monday (June 27).

But the Chester-based former European Tour player attached to Carden Park faces strong competition from several top regional players in a 50-strong field.

 They include former Welsh champion Mark Pilkington, a past winner of the Kazakhstan Open who is based at Pwllheli, and Matthew Tottey from the North Wales club.

Another Welshman expected to be in the mix is Windermere professional Simon Edwards but the biggest challenge could come from Cheshire's Phil Archer.

The Birchwood-attached player, back playing regional events after nine successful years on tour, won the inaugural GW Insurance PGA Cheshire and North Wales Masters at Denbigh earlier this month and two pro-ams.