THE 33rd Benson and Hedges International Open takes place at the De Vere Belfry from May 8 to 11.

With an overall prize fund of £1.6m and the chance to be the last ever champion, the field boasts some of the world's leading golfers.

British stars Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose together with Ryder Cup heroes Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington will all be in the field.

Adding to the international flavour will be South Africa's US Open champion Retief Goosen, Thomas Bjorn and 1991 and 1997 champion Bernhard Langer.

Dramatic victory

Sam Torrance will also be returning to the De Vere Belfry where he led Europe's team to the dramatic victory over the Americans last September.

A Past Champions Golf Day takes place on Tuesday, May 6 when former legends such as Torrance, Seve Ballest-eros, Tony Jacklin, Tom Weiskopf, Sandy Lyle, Australian Jack Newton and Spaniard Antonio Garrido have already confirmed their attendance for the five-hole challenge.

The next day the celebrity Pro Am plays host to a mix of past and present golfing legends alongside stars from stage and screen.

Plus, with a one-off tenth hole challenge, it will be a tournament to remember.

Ticket details can be obtained by ringing 01235 867338.

Two of Europe's biggest names have confirmed that they will play in the first Daily Telegraph and Damovo backed British Masters at the Marriott Forest of Arden on June 5-8.

The new title sponsors are delighted that defending champion Justin Rose and Ryder Cup hero Thomas Bjrn will join the growing band of top players at the Midlands venue.

"The event promises to be one of the most exciting and unique of the season by combining a major Tour event with a consumer golf show that allows golf fans to try - and buy - all the latest equipment and find out more about a whole host of golfing services," said Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, managing director of tournament promoters Inter-national Sports Management.

"It has always been our intention to attract as many big names as possible and we are delighted that Rose and Bjrn will line up alongside Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley who have already confirmed that they will be competing in the event," Chandler added.

"It means a lot to me to be defending my first title on home turf. It's exciting to be playing a different course and to have new sponsors - it should be a great event," said Rose.

The quartet are expected to be joined by more Ryder Cup heroes and will have plenty of high-class competition for the £250,000 first prize on offer at the Warwickshire course.

Evesham Ladies

Results - Winter League (Group One): 1 Marian Kirkland; 2 Ruth Masters. Group Two: 1 Val Lemon; 2 Margaret Davies.

Winter Eclectic: 1 Annie Bird; 2 Jenny Marston.

March Stableford - Division One: 1 Joan Hunt 36pts; 2 Carol Yates 34. Divi-sion Two: 1 Audrey Taylor 39; 2 V Lemon 37.

Monthly Medal - Silver Division: 1 Iris Ashman 92-18-74; 2 Vina Kite 88-13-75. Bronze A: 1 E Walker 99-28-71; 2 C Yates 97-25-72. Bronze B: 1 Wendy Bowyer 99-33-66; 2 Sheila Crane 102-35-67.

Peugeot Coronation Foursomes: 1 S Crane & A Taylor net 76; 2 L Bailey & Jenny Diffin 77 ; 3 Verity Lawrence & E Walker 79 (cb); 4 C Yates & W Bowyer 79.