The best fields ever - that’s how this weekend’s qualifiers in the £3,200 Coors Meole Brace Open look.
Past winners, Shropshire stars and big names galore are scattered all over the Saturday and Sunday sessions at the Shrewsbury club (10.30am to 2pm start times).
And county president, Barry Jennings, the organiser of the county’s biggest competition for the last seven years, is certain that will make the race to be in the finals day 32 on April 6 the hottest ever.
“There were lots of good players here last weekend, but I reckon this weekend coming is the most competitive qualifying sessions I have been involved with,” said Jennings.
The £1,000 first prize and guaranteed ticket to the Champion of Champions in Blackpool in September seem more appealing than ever as news of the fine condition of the Meole greens does the rounds.
Two past county champions Keith Pessall (St Georges) and Simon Parsonage (Castlefields) open proceedings on the No 2 on Saturday - with All England winner Darren Smith (Derby) and Champion of Champions John Bailey over on No 1 at the same time.
The 1pm session on No 1 sees five Shropshire men in the frame, new Telepost recruit Adam Mountford and SPS Whitchurch League president Jim Evans among them.
Grimston brothers James and Peter travel down from North Lancs & Fylde but the former features in a 2pm section on No 2 that includes reigning county champion Peter Farmer (St Georges) and one of Castlefields’ comp stars Callum Wraight.
The quality keeps coming on Sunday with Rich Goddard (Castlefields) and Spencer Clarke in a section with Stan Frith on No 2.
Childs Ercall star Brian Shore, Dickie Jones (Ifton) and Kevin Perks (Battlefield) will also give it a go.
But the final 2pm session on No 2 looks a good one with Alan Palin (St Georges) and Peter Griffiths (Ford) - fourth in the Premier League averages last year - up against Stoke’s All England winner Phil Owen.
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