Renfrewshire begin the defence of the GolfKings Scottish Area Team Championship at Blairgowrie tomorrow but it is the hosts, Perth & Kinross, who are being widely tipped for the title.

The three day championship, featuring teams from all 16 Area associations of the Scottish Golf Union, has attracted one of the strongest fields in years. The Perth & Kinross side boasts Bradley Neil, the reigning Amateur champion, and Danny Young, the new South African Open champion, while Gavin Dear, who helped Scotland win the World Team Championship in 2008, is also in the line-up.

Renfrewshire can draw on experienced campaigners like Craig Watson, the former Amateur champion, and Kilmacolm man Matthew Clark but the title holders know they are in for a real fight.

"I'd say Perth & Kinross are overwhelming favourites on home soil," conceded Clark. "We have the same six players who won last year and we'll give it our best shot, even though it's going to be a tough ask."

Glasgow have former Scottish Amateur champion Barry Hume and emerging youngster Calum Fyfe in their side while Dunbartonshire are led by Ewen Ferguson, the former British Boys' champion who has already won twice on the domestic circuit this season.