PLEASINGTON are looking for a unique hat-trick of county titles this weekend -- but the club won't be making it easy for its own golfers.

The Pleasington Lane outfit will reveal a new identity in the Lancashire Amateur Championship, designed to make life hell for the top class field, where there are no players with a higher handicap than three and the top golfers are off plus three.

Pleasington professional Ged Furey said: "We've narrowed the fairways and made the rough a bit deeper so it will be harder than usual.

"And we've put in new blue tees for major competitions, which are further back."

But if one of the home club's seven competitors can carry away the trophy it will give them a men's county champion to add to Natalee Evans, the Lancashire ladies winner, and Jennifer Adams, who took the seniors title.

Furey added: "We have a good chance with lads playing on their own course but it will be tough.

"Only 40 will make it through to the Sunday, which means over 100 will miss the cut over the first two days."

Pleasington hopefuls include Andrew Westwell, who tees off first in Friday's opening round, Gareth Gillatt, Nick Slade, Chris Williams, Andy White and John Covill.

But Lancashire's Michael Hunt, who plays off plus one, is their best hope following an excellent start to the year, which has seen him soar to the top of the Northern Order of Merit.

However, Hunt is taking the expectation all in his stride, saying: "The secretary has told me it would be great to have both the men's and ladies' amateur trophies in the clubhouse - so no pressure then!

"People have told me I'm the favourite but you just block that out and get on with playing golf rather than thinking about it too much."

The first tee-off times for the Friday and Saturday will be 7.30am, while Sunday's final round gets under way at 8.30am.

It will be the first time since 1991 that Pleasington has hosted the event and being chosen this year marks considerable progress in the club's development.

Furey said: "It's great for the club. The course is in great condition and we've opened a new practice facility and ground which is another good bonus for us."