SOUTH CERNEY golfers Chris Mitchell and Brenda Smith are the national winners of England Golf’s Australian Spoons competition.

The pair who are members at the South Cerney club near Cirencester, came through local 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.

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

“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Brenda, who plays off 20. “We were 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.

All the finalists were the overnight guests of England Golf and enjoyed a gala dinner before their final. “We have just so enjoyed the two days, the whole experience has been absolutely overwhelming,” said Brenda.