LANCASHIRE captain Sue Warrington has voiced her support for the JJB Sports Manchester Evening News Women's Matchplay Championship, saying : "It has a huge role to play in regional golf."

"There is a pecking order but the M.E.N. Championship is a good event because it helps players to get used to other courses in a competitive situation," she said.

Sue, a three handicapper who won the Bury Championship a record 12 times, agreed that players such as Rachel, 13, and Caroline, 15, whose handicaps have plunged in the past year, have benefited from competing against senior and more experienced golfers.

"It threw them into a situation where they had to communicate with older people," she added.

Meanwhile, Caroline Atherton is determined to become our first back-to-back winner following her extra hole victory over Sale's Sue Barrett last year.

"It's one of my targets this season," said the Chorley player. "The others are to play for the county girls and seniors and get my handicap down from six to scratch."

But Rachel Connor is equally determined to wrench the title back off her.

"I'll be trying my best," she said.

And her Manchester Hopwood clubmate Kelly Tidy, 11, the M.E.N. Junior Open winner in 2002, also plans to enter our free knockout competition for the first time.

Martin Wild, golf director at JJB Sports who are sponsoring the competition for the fourth year, said: "The women's game continues to be the fastest growing segment of the sport, especially in this region, and the Manchester Evening News is helping to maintain its popularity."

Apart from £500 worth of prizes, the finals will once again be played at the superb Marriott Worsley Park who have given us courtesy of the course.

THE PRIZES -WINNER: £200 voucher to spend at any JJB Golf Store. RUNNER-UP: £150 voucher to spend at any JJB Golf Store. THIRD: £100 voucher to spend at any JJB Golf Store. FOURTH: £50 voucher to spend at any JJB Golf Store.

The semi-finals will be on Friday, August 27 and the final and third place play-off on Friday, September 3. Please note that if you cannot be available for these dates it is advisable not to enter.

HOW TO ENTER - ENTRIES are limited to 128 and, in the event of the number being exceeded, a ballot by handicap will be held.

Closing date is March 6 and, in anticipation of another maximum field, you are advised to enter as soon as possible.

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Entries to: JJB Sports M.E.N. Women’s Championship, c/o Jackie Lees, 33 Lily Street, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6EB.

The competition, which is free, is open to all women golfers of any age, who possess a club handicap, maximum 28 on the date of entry. The competition will be played to three-quarters the difference. The home player will be responsible for contacting her opponent to arrange the match. If green fees are not waived by the host club, the cost will be divided between the two players.