It was just like a summer’s day for the October West Hill fixture with blue skies, warm sunshine and temperatures over 20c.

Despite the glorious weather, the course proved difficult to score on with Stephen Stout’s 35pts winning the Rothermere Challenge Cup.

West Hill has to be one of the best courses the Society plays during the year, alongside such greats as Walton Heath and The Berkshire, both of which have two testing courses.

The bonus this year was the brilliant weather with players enjoying shirt-sleeve golf as they struggled with challenging greens to try to beat the par of the course.

As well as the main trophy, the Rothermere Challenge Cup, it was also the final fixture of the year in the Order of Merit competition that runs throughout the fixture list.

Single figure golfer Clive Heard had the best overall results with his second place to claim the title, “Golfer of the Year” and his prize will be presented at the Christmas Scramble.

Stephen’s winning score means a 2-shot handicap cut to 14 for his next three singles competitions, with runner up Clive’s 34pts a 1-shot cut to 5 handicap, again for his next three singles.

Close up in 3rd having scored only 11pts on the front nine and then 22 pts on the back, was Clare Vivian with 33pts beating Phil Barber on countback.

Champagne for Nearest the Pin on the very tricky 13th hole was won by Society secretary Garth, who missed a 6-foot putt for a birdie!

Vice-Captain Barry Theobald, who presented the prizes, was the only player to score a “2” during the “2’s” competition and won £20 with £10 towards funds.

As so often happens in the “Back the Winner” fund raising competition, main trophy winner Stephen picked out someone else to win the Rothermere Challenge Cup. With no-one backing Stephen, £45 is carried over in this competition to the first fixture in April next year at the Lambourne Club.

There were two semi-finals played in the Match Play knock-out with “Golfer of the Year” Clive beating Phil Barber and Phillip Woods beating David Crump. It is hoped that the final can be played before the Christmas Scramble so that the prize can be presented at The Berkshire.

Next year’s annual match against the Press Golfing Society will be played at The Belfry, March 15-16 with Joe Marvell the Northcliffe Captain.

All next year’s fixtures are being finalised and a full list will be available shortly on the website shortly.