Smith Returns For Collingtree Event - 26/07/2007

THE PGA EuroPro Tour returns to action at Collingtree Park GC on Wednesday with the first day of The PartyPoker.com International Open.

The 54-hole tournament will conclude on Friday, and sees aspiring professionals competing for the £40,000 prize fund in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

They will include 2005 PGA EuroPro Tour Champion Mark Smith (pictured) , who returns from action on the Challenge Tour to compete in Northamptonshire.

He will tee off alongside another 2005 winner, Michael Welch, and Warren Wood at 12.45pm on Wednesday.

James Ruebotham, who won last week's PGA EuroPro Tour event at Mollington in Cheshire after an eight-hole play-off, will be joined by emerging star Ben St John and Gary Oliver in teeing off at 1.04pm.

Danielle Masters, a member of the Ladies European Tour, will also be competing once more on the PGA EuroPro Tour, and she will partner Ross Whitelock and Jamie Farnsworth in beginning her challenge at 2.10pm.

"The course is in excellent condition," said Tournament Director Kevin Feeney,

"The weather should be good throughout the week, especially for the final round on Friday, so we are looking forward to another good tournament.

"Fans are more than welcome to come down to Collingtree Park and see the future stars of the game in action free of charge."

Players warmed up with a practice day on Monday before local businesses joined up with top stars for Tuesday's Pro-Am.

Jeremy Kavanagh was the only player to break par on a windy day with a round of 69, while one unfortunate player drove his buggy into the lake surrounding the island green at the 18th!