A strong field, combined with three courses in superb condition will ensure that the 2014 edition will be one of the most open tournaments in the BDGA’s history.

This year’s version will see a field of more than 140 male and female players begin the event at the Ballarat Golf Club tomorrow.

Midlands will host Saturday’s round, while Creswick’s Forest Resort will see out the tournament’s conclusion on Sunday.

All three of the host courses are approaching peak condition for the championship. 

The high quality field features seven entrants playing off a scratch mark or better and more than 40 golfers who will tee off on a six-handicap or less.

Defending champion and 13-time winner Craig Boucher believes the title will most likely be won and lost on Creswick’s tough, undulating layout on the final day.

“I’ve enjoyed playing this tournament every year and I managed to get a win with three rounds of 73 in 2013,” Boucher said.

“All three courses will be playing pretty tough, depending on the weather - but Creswick is a particularly tough golf course.

“If you manage to shoot anywhere near par around Creswick you’re doing pretty well, but there are plenty of golfers around who are capable of doing that.”

Boucher, who plays off a plus-one handicap, won his first BDGA 54-hole open tournament in 1995 and has taken home 12 more titles in the 18 years since.

Also featured in the field will be several members of the Ballarat region’s victorious 2013 country week pennant side.

This year’s tournament will encompass a new scoring format that will see the lower grades use the Stableford scoring system.

The course set-ups will also be altered to assist with the speed of play.

The draws for the three days can be found in today’s Spotlight section of The Courier.

TOURNAMENT draw, Page XXX