Sudbury's Sid Segsworth may have qualified to play in the Seniors Open Amateur Championship in Scotland next month, but he has to first get through a tough field at the 60th Idlywylde Invitational Golf Tournament.
The prestigious tournament is celebrating its diamond anniversary and is marking the occasion by bringing in some of the best talent and special guests.
Segsworth is just one of many elite golfers to be in the field, looking to claim the trophy for Canada's longest running match play event.
When he's done in Sudbury, Segsworth will jet out to Scotland to take on the best amateurs in the world from Aug. 8 to 10.
Joining Segsworth on the links will be a host of top calibre players.
Some of these players include: five time champion Vince Palladino along with past winners such as retired NHLer Brian Savage, Ryan Hagger, Bruce Frick, Ian MacDonald and Mark and Bruce Brewer.
"We have a lot of repeat winners and a lot of ranked Canadian players," said chairman Rob Coe. "It's one of the strongest fields ever for the tournament."
Organizers are also going back to their roots by making the first ever Idlywylde Invitational champion, Dave Morland, an honourary co-chair.
Morland died last year.
His brother Bill will be in attendance and speak before the event tees off.
"We wanted to honour some of the players who supported this tournament in the beginning," said Coe. "These men were top amateurs in the 50s and 60s."
Palladino is ready to make a charge for his sixth title, but knows it doesn't come easy.
"It would be big to win six," said Palladino. "I would like to get it done so I can stop talking about it...and then start talking about a seventh. To me, this event is tougher to win than the Ontario or Canadian amateur championships. It's a lot of pressure and it can be taxing physically and emotionally. The challenge is endurance and who can stay mentally focused for four long days."
The event brings together a mix of young and veteran golfers.
John McCann, 67, has competed in 44 Idlywylde events and is looking forward to his 45th.
"I live in Mississauga and I come back every year because of the reputation," said McCann. "It's one of the best events in Canada. You just can't beat the Northern Ontario hospitality. I'll be back again next year...I'm shooting for 50 years in this tournament."
 
