BOLTON Ladies’ Golf Championship will be played in the evening this year in a bid to increase participation and spectator numbers.

The annual event is one of the oldest on the town’s sporting calendar having been staged since 1920.

Reigning champion Helen Braddock will be going for her 10th title at the tournament which takes place at Turton Golf Club from Sunday, June 18, to Friday, June 23.

The Old Links player is currently two titles short of the all-time record of 11 won by Bolton Golf Club’s Mrs J. McCartney between 1961 and 1984.

Mrs Braddock faces tough competition from the likes of last year’s beaten finalist Laura Howarth, and Laura Johnson who did not play in the tournament last year but won it in 2010, 2014 and 2015.

The last day for entries is tomorrow and anyone who has not yet entered is reminded they can pick up entry forms from their club.

The event will feature two rounds of 18 holes strokeplay on the Sunday before the tournament becomes a matchplay competition.

The best eight players from the Sunday will go forward to the quarter-finals on the Monday before the last four play the semi-finals on the Thursday with the final taking place late afternoon on the Friday.

The Bolton Seniors’ Championship for ladies will run alongside the tournament – with one round of 18 holes instead of two on the Sunday. An Ancillary Competition – with a Texas Scramble format – will take place on the Wednesday.

In the main competition players compete for the Preston Scratch Trophy which was donated by Prestons jewellers of Bolton in 1920.

Players must have been a member of their club for 12 months to be able to enter and must apply via their club.

Bolton Championship president, Judith Lydon, says the switch to playing in the evening is designed to attract more players.

“The competition has been going since 1920 and it’s always taken place during the day.

“We’ve decided to play the rounds during the week in the evenings to encourage ladies who work and to increase participation in the competition generally.

“We’re hoping it will be a bit more inclusive and we might get some more ladies taking part. It’s about trying to encourage more ladies into golf.

“It’s a prestigious trophy and title and there should be good competition. Helen Braddock is working towards the record number of wins in the tournament but she will have some strong competition.

“And Turton will have their course in pristine condition. It’s quite an honour to stage the championship because each club stages it in turn about every 11 years.”