Yorkshire and England champion Emma Duggleby is aiming to cap a fine year with Curtis Cup success over the Americans.

The Malton and Norton player, who this season has claimed both the Yorkshire and England titles, joined up with the Great Britain and Ireland team yesterday as they prepare to take on a United States team that is relying on a blend of youth and experience.

"I am hoping that it going to be the highlight of the season," said the 28-year-old.

"The Ganton course will be a little different to what the Americans are used to, while myself and other members of the Great Britain team have played there quite a few times and we feel we have good reason to be quietly confident."

However, the Americans, who arrived last weekend, have been acclimatising themselves.

"The Americans have been practising since Sunday afternoon and they have had a very positive reaction to what they have seen," said Ganton secretary Major Bob Woolsey.

"They have had some lovely weather, the course is in it's finest condition and the Americans have certainly been giving every indication that they are looking forward to the challenge."

The Ganton club have also had to face a challenge but are themselves now eager to get on with what should prove a real showpiece for Yorkshire golf.

"We have an opening ceremony on Friday that will feature the Waterloo military band, and we are expecting a fly past by the Red Arrows," explained Woolsey.

"The tented village is in place and we are just looking forward to play getting under way in some good weather."

Duggleby was hoping for plenty of local support and Yorkshire fans will have two stars to follow with the Malton player alongside her rival on the domestic scene, Doncaster's Rebecca Hudson.

While Duggleby is taking her bow for Great Britain 20-year-old Hudson, who plays out of the Wheatley Club, is in her second Curtis Cup and will be looking for revenge after being in the side narrowly beaten in Minnesota two years ago.

Admission is £16 per day and spectators can pay on the gate. A season ticket is priced at £28. Admission for under-16s is free as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Yorkshire cruised to a fourth consecutive EGU Northern Counties title at Castletown in the Isle of Man.

County champion Graeme Clark, of Doncaster, led the six man team who took the title by six shots from Cumbria.

It was an outstanding achievement for a side that showed four changes from last year's successful team, with local star Stephen East one of the two players to retain their place.

East, who plays out of Moortown, shot an impressive 70 and 72 as Yorkshire finished on 865, with Cumbrian second in 871 and Northumberland third in 875.