MATT Dearden (Llantristant and Pontyclun) is one of the favourites for the inaugural 36-hole Dudsbury Masters, supported by Ringwood Brewery, which is staged on Tuesday and Wednesday July 1 and 2 preceded by a special championship pro-am.

Dearden won the previous tournament at Oake Manor. He said: “I hope to continue my challenge for the order of merit again and I’m looking forward to returning to Dudsbury as I have fond memories of my last visit two years ago when I won.”

His success at Dudsbury in the Bournemouth Festival helped him win the 2012 order of merit. He beat home player Lee Thompson in a play-off.

He was unable to play last year when Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton) achieved his first OOM victory.

Both Thompson and club-mate Mark Wiggett have won at Dudsbury. So have former European Tour man Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) and Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest). Former PGA champion Martyn Thompson (Parkstone) is another strong contender.

Although 2013 OOM winner Liam Bond’s (Marriott St Pierre) game has lost some of last year’s lustre, ominously he is returning to the form that brought four tournament victories.

He recently finished second in the PGAs of Europe Aegean Airlines Pro-Am in Greece and followed with sixth place in the Europro event at Cumberwell Park last week.

Dearden starts in third place 100 points behind David Dixon (Enmore Park) whose bid to extend his OOM lead will have to wait as he is playing in final qualifying for The Open next week.

Dixon won the opening tournament at Saunton and tied for third at Oake Manor.

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre, Weymouth) is always a force in his native county, Paul Jones (Canford Magna) can never be discounted while another ex-Tour player Stuart Little (Minchinhampton), Russell Berry (Professional Golf Europe Ltd) and Cennydd Mills (Pyle & Kenfig) invariably play well at Dudsbury.

Rod Davis (Playgolf Bournemouth), who seldom plays nowadays after a hugely successful career, is in the field which includes a host of local professionals.

They include Craig Gale (Remedy Oak), David Bartlett, Tom Doughty (Bulbury Woods), Adrian Harris (Broadstone), Adam Sawyer (Dudsbury), Andrew Windsor (Knighton Heath), Ben Cannon (Playgolf Bournemouth), Andrew Warren, Dom Narramore (Dorset Golf & Country Club), Daniel Lee, (Rushmore), Alistair Tresidder (Sherborne), Tom Green (Parkstone).