DERRICK Cooper will only have to roll out of bed and drive a few miles down the road from his Warrington home for his next big event.

But one of the region’s top players for more than 20 years won’t be carrying a set of clubs in the boot as he heads for the Dan Technology Senior Tournament of Champions at Mere.

And the only action he will see will be from his buggy as he buzzes around the Cheshire course in his role of European Seniors’ Tour tournament director.

Cooper will have his work cut out this week when the biggest professional event in the area for more than 20 years swings into action with the Manchester Evening News pro-am on Tuesday.

There are two more similar events over the next two days before the serious business gets under way on Friday for the leading players as the battle for a share of the £150,000 prize-fund.

There’s a formidable cast of stars in the 42-strong line-up such as Tommy Horton, Neil Coles, Brian Huggett, Nick Job, Noel Ratcliffe, defending champion Denis O’Sullivan, Manchester’s own Denis Durnian, who is having a storming season, and Russell Weir who won last weekend in Greece.

Cooper plans to join them when he reaches the qualifying age of 50 in five years but in the meantime he’s happy to play an administrative role on the ever-expanding tour which this year will have embraced 23 events across 16 countries.

He has a multitude of tasks this week, from sorting out the professionals for the pro-ams, the green staff, liasing with the sponsors, setting up the course and just being on hand to help and advise.

He will be assisted by Guy Hunt and Royal and Ancient office but the buck stops with Cooper who for the first time on tour this year can sleep in his own bed!

‘‘Mere is a class venue and a great test of golf,’’ he said. ‘‘The last time the tournament was staged there one-under-par win so it will be interesting to see how the players perform this year with the quality of golf they’re playing these days.’’