Gary Pitt won the Matchplay Shield for a record-breaking fourth time in eleven years when he beat Paul Walker on Paul's home patch at Purley Downs. The match was played in wet conditions and both players found it difficult. After a tight front nine Gary led by one hole and pulled ahead on the back nine to win by 3 and 2. Both players had had crushing semi-final wins, Gary beating last year's winner Steve Watson by 7 and 6.

Gary's previous wins were in 1989, 1991 and 1992 and he was also a beaten finalist in 1993. This was Paul's first entry into the competition having joined the Society during 1998.