Paisley's Alyson McKechin won her first national title in Sunday's rescheduled Scottish Junior Champion of Champions at The Duke's, St Andrews.

The Elderslie Golf Club 16 year old posted a 75 to win by one shot against Edinburgh’s Rachel Watton.

The event, abandoned last November due to a flooded course, comprised of a strong field of 17 girls who had qualified through wins at national, county or area level last season.

It was only the second 18 holes of the year for McKechin who is taught by SLGA National Coach Kevin Craggs.

"It's just amazing having only played one other round this year while on an SLGA squad coaching trip to Spain,” said a delighted McKechin.

“However, I have been working hard on the range and this is a nice reward for all the practice put in.  It is great to win my first Scottish title, my first big title.”

The cold, wet winter has played havoc with golf’s off season but McKechin has not let it hamper her progress.  Supported by the West of Scotland Institute of Sport since last October, a combination of Strength & Conditioning training and practice at the range has proved a winning formula.

“I had felt confident going into the event and I felt I deserved the win,” she said.  “My preparation was right and I had trained hard over the winter at the range with my coach as well as with the institute.

“Tim Silvester has been looking after my Strength & Conditioning.  It’s a specific programme for golf including a lot of rotational work for golf.  As a result I’m hitting the ball a bit further and I can feel when I come off the course I’m not as tired as I used to be.”

McKechin, who represented Scotland in last August’s home international event, has high hopes for the new season.

“I hope to be playing in the Helen Holm (Open Stroke Play Championship), at Troon in April,” she said.  “And hopefully I’ll get picked for the European Girls and then the Home internationals if I do well.”