Golf: Alyson goes for glory!

Apr 9 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

TALENTED young golfer Alyson McKechin swings back into action today when she takes part in the SLGA Under-16s Open Stroke Play Championships at Craigielaw in East Lothian.

The Trinity High School pupil, 15, is part of the Scotland team aiming to wrestle the title back from defending champions Italy.

Last year the youngster finished second in her handicap category and hopes are high she can make another big impression this time around.

Proud mum Florence said: “Alyson’s actually looking forward to the tournament and she’s not nervous at all.

“Or if she is she’s certainly not showing any sign of nerves anyway.”

It could be understandable if Alyson shows signs of fatigue later today as she has to negotiate 36 tough holes of golf, then another 18 tomorrow if she can qualify for the latter stages.

But her mum believes Alyson will take it all in her stride.

She said: “Alyson’s quite used to playing all day because she had to play 36 holes on one day last year, then another two holes for a play-off.

“She’s been over the course before and she’ll know what to expect and we’re all hoping she can do well.”

Also taking part in the championships are Eilidh Briggs from Kilmacolm and Linsey Stevenson from Whitecraigs.

Mortonhall player Claire Hargan will be the Scots captain.

Alyson, in her latest bid to improve, goes into the tournament in good spirits despite having one or two problems with her swing in recent weeks.

Florence said: “She went to see Kevin Craggs, the Scottish national coach, and she seems to have got to the bottom of her problems but everything is fine now and she’s raring to go.”

Last month Alyson attended the Barry Buddon Military Camp near Carnoustie in her latest bid to turn the opposition into mincemeat.

She took part in an intensive a day of training at the camp, which features a variety of equipment used for training soldiers.

What’s even more astounding is that the gifted golfer managed to get through her boot camp experience without losing her cool, as she had as many as three drill sergeants barking orders at her.

It’s all designed to toughen Scotland’s most promising female players and get them accustomed to the high-pressure life of a professional golfer.

Alyson is fast becoming Scotland’s hottest young golfing talent after a sensational 2008 in which she almost halved her handicap from 12 to seven and been crowned the youngest-ever Ladies champion in Elderslie Golf Club’s 99-year history.

She was also selected for the national youth set-up with the Scotland Under-16s.

Last year was a busy time for the Trinity High pupil and she was constantly on the road, making her mark in the sport.

She added another accolade to her already impressive CV by picking up the Scottish Ladies Golf Union Medal.

The Grand Final was played at Crieff and the talented teenager was the gold medal winner with a net 72 to beat Jane Tough, of Edzell North, who was three shots behind.

What’s even more remarkable is that Alyson beat a field of around 24 girls to win the medal.

The success story has continued as the youngster finished fifth highest Scot in the Scottish Open under-16 championships at Craigielaw Golf Club – the event she returns to take part in today.

It was a wonderful achievement for Alyson who was up against girls from all over the UK and Italy in the 102-player event, where she finished 18th overall.

And just to show it was no fluke, she then reached the last 16 of the Renfrewshire County Championships the week after her Scottish Open exploits at Bonnyton Golf Club.

But she didn’t stop there as she travelled up to Banchory, in Aberdeenshire, where she took part in the Scottish Schoolgirls Championship and finished 11th out of 60 top players.

She’s since caught the attention of the Scottish Ladies Golf Association, where she is firmly established in their Development Squad, which helps nurture the best Scottish talent around.

And as things stand, Alyson’s handicap is down to six already and she’s looking to continue her progress this year too.

Live scoring from the Scottish Open Under-16s Championships will be available on the SLGA website at www.slga.co.uk and by clicking on the live scoring link.