Mitchell begins title defence in prelim

FOR the first time in the history of the Island Championship, all eight seeds play off one or better. However, the reigning champion is not one of them.

Jack Mitchell, who is currently off two, begins the defence of his crown on Monday against Peter Crosland in the preliminary round of the Fortis-sponsored event and is joined in action that day by other past winners Dave Warr and Nigel Vaudin.

Island regular Dave Nicolle is also an exception to the seeding. Mitchell was in imperious form as he swept to the title last year over the L'Ancresse links, never trailing in any match during the week and, with a fine match-play pedigree, he will still be one of the favourites.

The seeds do not enter the draw until Tuesday.