NELSON’S Dave Rigby will attempt to defend his Harold Ryden Trophy title at Wilpshire – as seven other former champions look to claim victory at the presitigious ELGA event.

Rigby took the honours last year after beating clubmate Dean Pickard in the final at Nelson.

But in the 44th Harold Ryden Championship, he will face stern competition to win a second title in succession.

Previous champions Tony Holt (1998), Michael Hunt (2001) Nick Uttley (2002), Gary Phillipson (2004), Andy Westwell (2006), Steven McGlynn (2007) and Gary Blades (2008) are among a very strong field.

Almost 60 golfers make up the strokeplay stage of the competition, with two rounds on Saturday, before the matchplay stages begin on Monday through to the final on Wednesday.