PERSHORE Golf Society travelled to Stratford Oaks to contest the annual Christmas event.

There was plenty of yuletide cheer in the air as 22 members enjoyed a full handicap stableford competition.

Temporary greens were in use on a course set in its winter playing conditions and scoring was always going to prove difficult, but as always on these occasions fortune favours the brave.

The eventual results saw Les Bond take top spot with a brilliant 46 points to see off the challenge of runner-up John Maraton (44) and in third place on countback, Miles Dixon (39).

The Harvington Society staged its regular festive fixture at the Vale Golf and Country Club followed by the annual presentation evening at The Mill in the village.

The format for the day was 18 holes in the morning on the International Course followed by the "Three-Club Challenge" over the nine-hole Lenches Course in the afternoon. All 27 holes were strokeplay.

Both the courses and the weather were excellent for the time of year which meant good golf and low scores for both rounds.

Chris Ryan, despite his late arrival, proved too strong for the rest of the field in the morning returning a formidable six-under-par 68, three strokes clear of his nearest rival.

Just as impressive in the afternoon, considering the limit on club selection, was Rob Millward who went round in 31, four-under-par for the nine holes.

Millward proved that consistency was the key when, by never finishing worse than eighth throughout the season, he was crowned the society's Golfer of the Year.

Members kick off their new season in April with an inaugural visit to Kings Norton and will this year include a "European fixture" in Portugal.

Results - AM: 1 C Ryan; 2 J Locke; 3 S Walding. Longest Drive: C Moss. Nearest the Pin: R Millward. PM: 1 R Millward; 2 P Descher; 3 A Hyde. Longest Drive: S Walding. Nearest the Pin: A Hyde.

Season's winners - Councillors Cup and Cosmos Trophy: A Boyd. Summer League: A Basford. Club Champion: C Loh. Golfer of the Year: R Millward.

Naunton Downs

Results - Christmas Texas Scramble: 1 Bob Newton, Mike Minchin, Colin & Michael Dulson 62-11-51; 2 Mike & Jane Marsland, Peter Cooper, Ray Spiers 61-8-53 (cb); 3 Steve Trant, Tony George, Dave Cribbin, Richard Lee 67-14-53.

Christmas Cobweb: 1 A Hale, S Oliver, T Hemming, P Sherwood 124; 2 G Taylor, L Taylor, R Rose, S Baker 122; 3 D Gould, A Brookes, R Kania, P Butler 118.

Recovery Cup: 1 Norman Grieve 48pts; 2 Stuart Baker 46 (cb); 3 Peter Cooper 46.