ITALY’S Andrea Romano will defend his title when the Carris Trophy – one of golf’s premier boys’ championships – gets underway on Tuesday at Fulford.

Romano has been on top form since last year’s play-off victory in the English U18 Boys’ Open Strokeplay Championship, winning both the French boys’ title and the Italian amateur.

A total of 18 countries will be represented in the tournament, with a large entry from English boys, including a strong contingent from Yorkshire, led by Hallamshire’s England international Barclay Brown.

Also competing will be the county boys’ champion Ben Schmidt (Rotherham), Charlie Daughtrey (Rotherham), Michael Hay (Middlesbrough), Callum Macfie (Lindrick) and Jack Maxey (Hornsea).

Fulford hosted 23 consecutive European Tour events during the 1970s, 80s and 90s with winners including an array of Ryder Cup players and Major champions.

It has also staged top amateur events, such as the European Women’s Team Championship and this year’s inaugural British U16 girls’ championship.

The 72-hole championship will be played from Tuesday to Friday and, after two rounds, the 144-strong field will be cut to the top 60 players and ties.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Orrell and Lady Mayoress will attend the tournament, which has been won in the past by former US Open champion Justin Rose and renowned local golfer Jonatan Plaxton 40 years ago.

“It is a golfing coup for Fulford and York to entertain the best young golfers from around the world,” enthused the Lord Mayor, who is a Heworth Golf Club member and captain. “As a high-handicap golfer I always enjoy watching the best golfers and this will be no exception.

“While the Lady Mayoress does not play golf she has joined me on visits to iconic courses such as Pebble Beach and Augusta. It will be good to catch up with Fulford members - some of whom the Lady Mayoress and I joined on a trip to play a match against a New Jersey team more than ten years ago.”