"We've broadening our horizons to maximise our number of members," said Ellesmere member Walker who confirmed that former Ryder Cup star Ronan Rafferty and European Tour veteran Roger Chapman have entered the opening event at Prestatyn on Thursday and at West Lancs later in the month.
The schedule includes two-day tournaments at Hazel Grove, Wychwood Park, Royal St David's, Vale of Llangollen and Leasowe and Conwy with a 36-holer at Hill Valley. And Chubby Chandler's management company ISM is sponsoring the Order of Merit.
The tour will also visit top venues such as Fulford, Fairhaven, St Annes Old Links and Hesketh and, nearer to home, North Manchester and Ringway plus Adlington which will host a Par Three Championship.
"We're also negotiating days at Bolton Old Links and Ellesmere," said Walker. "We feel we have the region well covered and we are hoping to attract full time playing and club professionals and give everyone a chance to compete.
"We were happy with our first season when we had an average of 71 players but always felt we needed more two-day events and the better the venue to bigger the field."
TV pundit Rafferty, who played in the 1989 Ryder Cup in the same year he won the European Tour Order of Merit, indicated his interest during the close season when he had asked former MEN Manchester Open winner Cheetham to keep in touch.
"He and Chapman will further raise our profile because we already have Andrew Murray and Paul Eales among our regulars and Stuart Davies has played a couple of times," said Walker.
"We also hope to persuade Phil Archer to join us when he takes a break from the European Tour because he's the biggest player in the region."
Houghwood's Barry Taylor will defend his Order of Merit crown and can expect to be pushed to the finishing line by Swinton Park assistant David Smith and Bolton-based Steve Parry.
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