This is a landmark year for the old course at Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire as this week’s pro-am is the 25th in succession.

The PGA in England and Wales (South West) pro-am season traditionally starts over the course shared with livestock which opened on the Common in 1889.

This year’s record prize fund of £7,250 available on Friday (May 6) is the highest one-day purse of the season. The first tee-off time for the 50 men’s and four women’s teams is 6.50am and as usual tournament director Tom Sheffield and his staff do not expect to leave before 10pm after prize-giving.

He said: “The longest day of the year is in June but for us it is in the first week of May. We are always tight for time near the close but play is usually quite brisk as the wonderful old traditional course has no bunkers or water hazards and everyone has a wonderful time.”

This year 26 of the leading 50 players in last year’s West Order of Merit will compete. Long-serving organiser Bob Cook has obtained sponsorship from Carlsberg to boost the prize fund.

The quality field is headed by Ryder Cup man Phillip Price, former PGA champion Scott Drummond and last year’s winning PGA Cup team captain Jon Bevan (Sherborne) who has returned to the West from North Wales. The leading 2015 money-winner James Ruth (China Fleet), who shared top spot with Assistants champion Toby Hunt (St Mellons) last year, are also among the players to watch.

Women’s PGA and West champion Tracy Loveys (Bigbury) is favourite to claim the women’s award. But Chloe Rogers (Celtic Manor), the former England hockey international who played in two Olympics, has made a bright start in the Sprint Series this season.

They are challenged by two Gloucestershire players, former Curtis Cup choice Hannah Barwood (Bristol Golf Centre and American Golf), and Jamie-Lee Casling (Cotswold Hills).

There are 14 Gloucestershire players in the field including Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court) and Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) who have dominated the Gloucester and Somerset PGA scene this winter.