PICKERING snooker pro Paul Davison gets his new season under way when the Pontin's International Open Series (PIOS) kicks-off at Prestatyn, Wales, tomorrow.
Davison, who was unable to maintain his status on the full World Snooker tour last year, is among 139 players who have entered the first event of the new campaign.
He has been handed a first round bye and will meet Ollie Kupoluyi in a best-of-seven frames encounter in round two. The PIOS competition is a series of events which run in a way not too dissimilar to golf's Challenge Tour.
The top eight players in the final rankings after eight events are promoted to the following season's professional tour. Davison, who has come through PIOS qualifying before, is one of a host of well-known names to have entered this season.
Former Hong Kong Open champion Mike Hallett, former World Matchplay winner Gary Wilkinson and experienced professionals Shokat Ali and Alex Borg are also in the mix.
Davison will have to negotiate seven matches, including a best-of-11 frames final, if he is to take the opening honours.
York teenager Stephen Gregson is also taking part in the PIOS campaign - and faces Jamie Jones in his second round match.
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