New champions were crowned at the Ladies Invitational Golf Tournament yesterday at Mid Ocean as the team of Sally Madden and Barbara Bennett cruised to a three-stroke victory.

The result means that the pair have possession of the Arton Trophy for following their low net score of 193, after carding a 66 during the final round.

Leading by three strokes entering the day, Madden and Bennett were hardly pressed as Carol Hammond and Diana Ross-Ross, the only other pairing with a realistic shot at catching them, turned in a similar 66 round for a overall total of 196.

Seven strokes back in third place were Lorna MacKenzie and Nina Cutler, who along with Ginger Smith and Jan Multi recorded the day's best round of 64.

In the gross category Madden and Bennett were not so successful, as they were beaten into second place by the duo of Shirley Wildi and Frankie Stearns.

The latter were two shots better at 224, compared to 226 for the former, and received the Bobbie Park Trophy for their efforts throughout the past three days.

Trailing in third were Ivy Rosser and Ginette Spinucci at 228.

A playoff was required to decide the Glidden Bowl junior golf tournament at Belmont, after 54 holes failed to separate Chris Garland and Robert Spurling.

Both finished locked on 239, but Garland, who had a 79 on the day, eventually emerged triumphant on the first play-off hole, which he birdied while his opponent could only manage a par.

Still this was quite an accomplishment for the young Spurling (79) as he came out of the 13-14 age bracket to challenge Garland, who had little trouble with the rest of the competition in the over 15 group.

Jamie Nelmes was a distant second in the older category, carding a 85 for a three round total of 250, with Craig Brown (84) third on 257.

Meanwhile, Michael Sims (80) finished runner up to Spurling among 13-14 year-olds at 247.

Neil Fenton (106 round and 246 total) notched the 12 and under category played over 44 holes, followed by Stephen Craig (105 and 255) and Seamus Durkin (108 and 262).

NAILBITING ROUND -- Jamie Nelmes was a distant second, carding an 85 for a three-round total of 250.

EYE ON PRIZE -- Sally Madden (above) and Barbara Bennett cruised to three-stroke victory.