1993 winner Tom Gillis along with his American compatriot Gene Jones and three times champion, Jamaica's Johnny Bloomfield, are among 74 golfers entered for the 50th staging of the Jamaica Open Golf Championships to be held at the Half Moon Course in Montego Bay from January 11- 14.
The veteran Gillis who wrote his name on the prestigious Jamaica Open Trophy in 1993, three years after turning pro, will be making a return to the tournament after twenty-four years.
Gillis who now competes on the PGA Tour, will be wearing the favourite's tag to win his second Jamaica Open Championship.
Jones who currently plays on the Champions Tour, is seeking to follow in the footstep of Russ Cochran who won the tournament on the last two occasions it was played.
Three time winner, Jamaica's Johnny Bloomfield will carry the country's flag against the strong field.
Wesley Brown who won the amateur section in 2011 and 2012 will be seeking his first professional open title.
Long-time standard bearer Peter Horrobin who also plays on the European Senior Tour, will be teaming with Brown and Bloomfield
With prize money being US $100,000 ,the winner will pocket US $17,000, the runner-up $9000 and third place US $7500.
The senior champion will bankroll US $8000.
Ten local amatuers will be on the course with five juniors sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited.
There will be also forty young golfers for the junior clinic on January 10, starting at 9 am, to be conducted by Johnny Bloomfield along with Gillis and Jones.
Television Jamaica is partnering with the JGA for coverage of this year's championship from Tuesday, January 10 through Saturday, January 14.
The tournament is returning to the local calendar after a four year absence.