The men who have mastered the Old Course, Augusta National and Royal St George’s are set to test themselves at Mottram Hall this week.

The European Senior Tour arrives in Cheshire with Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance and Mark James in tow. Between them, they’ve won major championships and Ryder Cups, both as players and captains.

This week the prize is the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship. It’s the first time Mottram has hosted the tournament after five years at Slaley Hall in Northumberland.

A £6million revamp has turned Mottram into a

championship course, worthy of hosting the 72-hole event.

European Tour professional Jamie Donaldson, who lives in Macclesfield, believes the course will present a test, even for those who have played – and won – all over the world.

“It’s a great set-up and it’s got a great lay-out for a golf course,” said Donaldson.

“They’ve redone the hotel and all the facilities which are fantastic. It’s brilliant and it’s all set up for it. It’s great for the region and I hope it’s a massive success. I’m sure it will be and hopefully they’ll get more events.”

Woosnam, Torrance and James will be joined by

Didsbury’s Andrew Murray, winner of the 1989 European Open.

The pro-am takes place today (Wednesday) and there’s a family fun day on Saturday.

For the players, though, it’s a serious business with

Torrance aiming to win the tournament for the third time.

He said: “The PGA Seniors Championship is one of the biggest events on the Senior Tour and one I always look forward to – and especially so this year as it’s the first regular tournament on the schedule.

“To win the same tournament three times would be a first for me on the Senior Tour so it would be a nice milestone in my career.

“I’ve played Mottram Hall a couple of times and have always enjoyed the course, so it’s all set up nicely for another great week.”

Even for a former Masters champion, the PGA Seniors championship is regarded as ‘a good one to win’.

Woosnam, who won the Masters in 1991, said: “Although I used to live only an hour away in Oswestry, I never got the opportunity to play Mottram Hall so I’m looking forward to my first visit to what will be another new venue for the Senior Tour.

“The PGA Seniors Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments on our tour, so it would be a good one to win.

“I’ve played well in the tournament in the past without getting into contention, but hopefully I can have a decent run  this year. I’m sure we’ll get good crowds coming along to watch some past Ryder Cup players and legends of the Tour.”

Donaldson, meanwhile, carded a final-round 66 to

finish tied-11th at the Nordea Masters in Sweden.

He finished 13-under-par to finish eight shots behind winner Mikko Ilonen.

Tickets for the 2013 ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship which takes place at the DeVere Mottram Hall between June 6-9 are available via www.europeantour.com.