Kelly of Bermuda to win the Mid Ocean Club's 10th Women's Invitation Tournament by two strokes.

On the eve of the third and final round in the net division when the two teams were tied on 126 after two rounds, Bennett admitted that she and her partner of seven years were excited about the prospect of taking on their opponents in a neck-to-neck race to the finish.

They braved rough conditions and carded a 63 which was not exactly a brilliant performance but nevertheless an effort that proved to be far better than the four-under-par 67 turned in by their rivals.

Bennett of Bal Harbour, Florida, and Madden, who were winners in 1990, finished their three rounds with a 191 while Kelly and Eyton followed on 193.

Honours in the gross division went to Lida Kinnicult of Connecticut and Bermuda's Arlie Arton who defeated Madeline Joell-Warren of Bermuda and Jania Jacobs of Missouri in a play-off after the two teams had finished tied on 225.

Joell-Warren and Jacobs started the day with a two stroke lead, but could only score a 77 while Kinnicult and Arton made inroads with their third straight 75 which forced the play-off.

Bennett and Madden had to pick up their game after a disastrous start, one that had them concerned about their prospects of winning by the time they made the turn.

"It was absolutely awful over the first nine, especially when we had a double bogey on the first hole after scoring a birdie on Thursday,'' said Bennett.

At the turn they were just two-under and pressure was on them to pick up their game or else.

They were boosted after scoring a birdie on the 10th and they were really inspired on the 13th when Madden excelled by sinking a long chip for birdie against the wind to get them motivated.

"It got us back on track, that's for certain. We woke up and played like we really knew what we were doing,'' said Bennett with a laugh.

"But when things were going wrong for us earlier it was bad. We were trying everything but nothing was working,'' she recalled. "Conditions worsened from the 10th with the wind becoming stronger and the rain was falling harder, but we told ourself not to fight the elements.'' By calming down and concentrating on the job at hand the pair managed to do just enough to pull it off. "We simply grinded our teeth and persevered,'' said Bennett.

SMILE OF CHAMPIONS -- Sally Madden (left) and Barbara Bennett who won yesterday's net title at Mid Ocean.