The 16-handicapper is off to the Algarve in November after winning the Observer Sunshine Challenge.

Stone, 44, put together two storming rounds to triumph at Chichester Golf Club last Thursday.

Playing the Cathedral Course, Stone overcame fellow Goodwood member Alastair Strange in an absorbing morning semi-final, winning 2up.

That set up an afternoon final against Cottesmere member Irene Matheson.

And Stone started like a train, winning the opening three holes against the 28-handicapper and leading by five at the turn.

Stone continued to produce faultless golf and clinched his dream holiday with a 6&5 win.

Chichester Golf Club owner Sally Haygarth was on hand to present trophies to the winner and runner-up, and vouchers to all four finalists.

Stone, a massage therapist, said: "Without doubt it was the best-ever golf I've played. I've never played so consistently as that over two rounds.

"When I made the putt on the 13th to win it was just an amazing feeling of relief.

"The mental side of the game is something I've worked on. You can use your mind as an extra club. I've got a routine for each of my shots and focus on that rather than getting nervous."

Now Stone will play against other newspaper winners from around the country to try to become the national Sunshine Challenge winner and play at a five-star resort in Portugal.

"I've had a really, really enjoyable experience so far," he said. "It's been a competition which has been played in a great spirit."

Matheson was disappointed by her slow start to the final – but delighted to finish runner-up.

Her afternoon performance was in complete contrast to her semi-final show, when she made a blistering start against five-handicapper David Hirons.

Cowdray Park member Hirons was always up against it after losing the first six holes and despite a brave fightback lost 2&1.

Matheson said: "I've been playing only three years so I really didn't expect to take second place. I definitely played my best golf in the morning.

"I got off to a great start and although David fought back well, I managed to close it out. It's just a shame I had such a bad start in the final. Rick played ever so well and I just couldn't compete."

Strange, who farms out of Rectory Farm at Bosham, had been hoping for something to celebrate on the eve of his 28th birthday.

It looked like he was on course for the final when he led Stone by three at the turn, but despite playing some impressive golf he was unable to hold off the 16-handicapper's storming finish.

Consolation came in the afternoon's third-fourth place play-off, when Strange clinched victory over Hirons in another match which went to the 18th.

After finding sand off the tee, Strange produced a superb bunker shot to within 10ft of the flag and won 1up.