The 106th staging of Tasmania’s most esteemed amateur event will see 72 competitors chasing the titles at Tasmania Golf Club, in Cambridge.

Local members Andrew Phillips and two-time champion Mark Schulze will start firm favourites while other Tasmanians to look out for include Wynyard’s Craig Hancock, Royal Hobart’s Paul Read and Launceston’s Mitch Van Noord.

William Florimo, a plus three handicapper from Gailes Golf Club in Queensland, is one of 18 mainland competitors. Others keen to capture Tasmania’s top prize include Hayden Gulliver, of New South Wales, and Victorian David Shimmin.

The women’s championship will also be keenly contested and will see local member Georgia Milbourne start as favourite.

Standing in the 20-year-old’s path will be fellow state team member and former champion Sarah Johnstone from Ulverstone Golf Club.

Challenges are also expected from Royal Hobart’s Hallie Meaburn and Tasmania junior Mackenzie Wilson who are among those who represent the future of women’s golf in Tasmania.

Queenslanders Momo Sugiyama and Isabelle Simpson and Fiona Xu, of New Zealand, are also solid competitors to watch out for.

The leading 16 men and eight women who emerge from the 36-hole qualifying rounds will decide the championship through elimination match-play.

The event concludes next Tuesday with two 36-hole finals.