A SPARKLING opening round set Caroline Johnson on the way to a comfortable victory in the Beamish Club Championship gross competition at Chipping Norton.

She carded a 72 to take control and an 82 in the second round was enough to take the title by 15 strokes.

Ladies’ captain Jenny Reynolds was a distant runner-up after rounds of 88 and 81.

Junior Harriet Hancock became the handicap champion after back-to-back 68s.

Her total of 136 was eight clear of Jane Laurie.

In the 18-hole stableford competition played in conjunction with the competition, Janet Tomlinson came out on top.

Her tally of 38 points was two clear of Mary Smith, while Iris Stafford aced the par three 15th hole.