Faithful followers of the Idylwylde Invitational will recognize many a returning contender in the field for 2024 - along with the now normal influx of young guns with very solid golf resumes, looking to make their mark on Canada's longest-running match play event.

A two-time champion and three-time second place finisher, 41 year-old Kyle Rank knows what it takes to make a serious run at the title, including the need to be playing the game with some regularity heading into the Invite.

"My oldest daughter plays now so it gets me out a little bit more, which is nice," said Rank, who has cracked championship flight play in each of the past five years the tournament has been contested.

"Obviously the pressure is Friday," he added. "You have to play a good round there to get in the top 16. It doesn't matter whether you finish 1st or 16th, you just have to get a chip at the chair."

A native of Elmira, Rank is now a more than familiar face in Sudbury given his double digit appearances at the Sudbury summer golf tradition.

"It's good to see those guys again," he said. "That's what keeps you coming back - just those relationships. The camaraderie of the guys up here, the golf is awesome, the facility is great."

Much of that was the selling points that former Sudbury AAA hockey talent Jacob Burton likely pushed the way of Sean Kawalec, a plus two handicap golfer at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge and one-time teammate with Burton as a member of the Kitchener Dutchmen.

As he prepared for his practice round on Thursday, Kawalec had only the words of advice from friends and golfers he knew who might be familiar with the Idylwylde course to go on.

"It can be pretty narrow with the trees and the greens are quick," he said. "I am a lefty, so anything that favours a cut for me is good."

As for the tournament format that sees the field competing in head to head stroke play on Friday to try and qualify for championship flight before beginning the grind that could be four matches in less than 36 hours, Kawalec is not new to the concept.

"Whistle Bear actually does the exact same tournament format with the members," he said - adding that he has yet to enjoy any success at that event, to date. Play at the 76th edition of the Idylwylde Invitational kicks off Friday morning at 7:00 a.m.