Club golf pair win national women’s golf title

Club golfers Chris Mitchell and Brenda Smith (pictured) are the national winners of England Golf’s Australian Spoons competition.

The pair, from South Cerney Golf Club near Cirencester, came through club and regional qualifying rounds to win the national final of the women’s stableford foursomes competition.

It was a second national title in three days for Chris, who teamed up with two other women on Wednesday to win a national bowls title. “This has really topped the week off,” she said after the Australian Spoons success.

The final was played at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, as part of England Golf Week, a five-day festival which celebrates the handicap game. Chris and Brenda represented the South West and they took on the challenge of pairs from five other regions – and triumphed.

They played the Bracken course and won by two points from Lynne Southgate and Karen Smith of Burstead Golf Club, Essex; and from Susan Franklin and Barbara Kelsey of Wishaw, Warwickshire.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Brenda, who plays off 20. “We were absolutely shocked to win the regional final and now we’re bowled over to win this. We are delighted, chuffed to bits.” Chris is a 17-handicapper.

The other finalists were Elaine Lilley and Jacqui Francis of Belton Woods, Lincolnshire; Allena Doley and Linda Fossey of Meon Valley, Hampshire and Lindsey Withers and Sharon Hodgkiss of Hazel Grove, Cheshire.