Almost three decades since he swashbuckled his way into the history books by winning the British Open and US Open titles in successive years, Tony Jacklin is still setting goals. "I want to win on the European Seniors Tour," insisted Jacklin. Obviously, the AIB Irish Seniors Open, which starts at Woodbrook today, presents the 53-year-old Englishman with an appropriate challenge.

As the venue which pioneered professional tournament golf in Ireland, many of the players' who have converged on the parkland course beside the sea - in the quest for the £16,660 top prize - are renewing acquaintances with a lay-out which has undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years. The greens, especially, have been reshaped, with many of the undulating hallmarks of designer Peter McEvoy.

Yet, it wasn't misty eyes from nostalgia which delayed many players' from getting a close-up view of the new Woodbrook. Rather, joked Jacklin, it was the hazy mist which had enveloped the course since his arrival earlier in the week. "This is the first time I've seen it," quipped Jacklin, looking fit and tanned from the Florida sunshine and ready to battle for the crown.

Indeed, there is a strong field for this second staging of the tournament. Jacklin and Brian Barnes have flown in from the United States, and both are aware that Tommy Horton, the defending champion and winner of last year's Order of Merit, has continued that fine form into the new season and will start out in the almost customary position of favourite.

"I intend to play more frequently in Europe this season," said Jacklin, who is forced to rely on sponsor's invites and exemptions to play tournament golf these days. "I want to enjoy playing again," he said, adding: "At one stage last year, I played 20 tournaments in a row and I was just mentally drained. The system in the US demands it, but I want to be more my own man from now on and play perhaps a dozen to 15 tournaments."

In fact, even yesterday, it was evident that a nice atmosphere hangs in the Woodbrook air. Apart from the foreign invasion force, there are 22 Irish players in the field - including Christy O'Connor, quite in keeping with the nostalgia of the occasion - and, for the first time in a European Tour event, all the competitors will be required to wear softspikes.

Meanwhile, Italian Renato Campagnoli must have wondered why so many spectators were arguably more interested in the swings of his playing companions in yesterday's pre-championship pro-am. And, after playing alongside DJ Carey, Nicky English and Michael Cleary, perhaps he'll be converted to hurling.

The three hurling stars combined with Campagnoli for a 16under par (best two nett scores counting) to take runners-up position in the event which was won by the Gallo Winery team of professional Bobby Browne with Pat Farrell, Liam Deering and Julian Keown.