A new Bermuda Amateur Ladies Stroke Play champion will be crowned at Port Royal Golf Course this weekend.

Last year’s winner Vanessa Chychrun, who overcame final-round jitters to clinch the women’s championship by a comfortable five shots, will not be returning to defend her title in the 54-hole event.

In her absence, experienced campaigners such as 2023 Senior Championship winner Tracy Burgess and fellow seniors Katrin Burnie, Tracy Nash, Linda Down, Ann Symonds, Carin Brule and Kim Botelho will fancy their chance of success.

Symonds and Down finished second and third behind Burgess last time out in the senior division.

Others who could potentially be in contention are the fast-improving Morgan Lightbourne and teenager Sienna Mosquera, who has impressed while competing overseas.

Action gets under way today at the par-71 Southampton golf course and runs until Sunday.

The Bermuda Amateur Ladies Stroke Play Championship, one of five majors on the BGA calendar, is being held separately from the Men’s Championship this year as most of the ladies will be competing at next week’s Kitty Michael Golf Tournament in New Jersey.