MINCH golfer Stuart Little is part of an illustrious field of Ryder Cup stars, European Tour and Seniors’ Tour winners plus leading players from Wales and the West in this year’s Asbri Golf PGA Cornish Festival.

And British Seniors’ champion Paul Broadhurst, 51, started his seniors’ career sensationally by winning his first event at Carnoustie last July. But he has become a regular in the West’s popular season-opener and will be seeking his third victory in six years at Trevose, St Enodoc and Carlyon Bay from April 19-21.

He shared first place Wellingborough's Simon Lilly in 2012 and pipped another Ryder Cup man Phillip Price for his second win in 2015. He was also runner-up to James Ruth (China Fleet) in 2014, was eighth in 2013 and sixth last year.

“It’s always a pleasure to return to Cornwall where I have many fond memories and it’s a great way to kick off the season,” he said.

The region’s £20,000 54-hole flagship event is the largest pro-am in England with 450 competitors playing 54 holes over three days. There are still two team places available because of two late withdrawals.

Another former Ryder Cup man Peter Baker (South Staffordshire) is a previous winner and Steven Richardson (Lee-on-the-Solent) played in the Ryder Cup in 1991.

Former PGA Champion Scott Drummond from Plymouth, Andrew Sherborne (Trevose), John Bickerton (Minehead & West Somerset), Gary Emerson (Remedy Oak) and George Ryall (Burnham and Berrow) are European winners from the West.

Other successful European Tour players include, Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle), Liam Bond (St Pierre) and Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf).

Last year’s winner, the former National Assistants champion Matthew Cort (Beedles Lake), is unable to defend as he is playing on the PGA Challenge Tour.

Laurie Canter from Bath is another European Tour representative after re-gaining his card at Tour School. He is bidding to win the team prize for the third successive year.

A regular notable visitor is former England international and Sky TV football pundit Matt Le Tissier as a member of Hampshire PGA professional Ben Johnson’s team for a number of years. He missed only one festival in ten years when he suffered a shoulder injury.

Former British Par 3 champion Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) and previous winners Ruth and Newquay’s former PGA Cup player Chris Gill will lead the local challenge from Cornwall. This year’s PGA Cup captain Albert MacKenzie (Saunton) and his vice-captain Martyn Thompson (Parkstone) also play.

In addition to the contribution from major sponsor Asbri Golf, who also offer a £500 bonus to the leading account-holder, prizes have been supplied by Titleist and Footjoy, Dave Rigby Golf Agency, Lynx Golf and golfbreaks.com.

Robert Moss, PGA Regional secretary, said: “Once again the Asbri Golf Cornish Festival has attracted another quality field. This is always a special week of first class golf on three outstanding courses.”