Sydney’s Jan Crichton fired an impressive final round of 75 to come from behind and clinch the title by five strokes from overnight leader, and fellow Sydneysider, Catherine Coates.

The three-day, three course tournament around Orange saw a strong presence from visiting players.

Crichton said she was delighted with the result in her first visit to Orange – and vowed to come back next year to defend her crown.

“We absolutely loved it,” she said.

“The courses have just got better day after day.

“We found Wenty [Wentworth golf club on Saturday] tough, it was brutal.

“Today [Monday at Duntryleague] it is much more our course.

“The greens are fantastic and the bunkers are great.

“We’ll be back for sure.”

She had to return to Sydney on Monday afternoon for work and missed the presentation ceremony.

Crichton scored 83 on the first day to lead by one stroke.

However a 77 on Sunday at the Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club put her one stroke off the lead going into the final day.

Crichton said she only took up golf 10 years ago and was now looking to play more tournaments in regional NSW.

Earlier this year she won the NSW mid-amateur championship at Tocumwal.

Crichton said she came to Orange for the tournament with friends who had all enjoyed mixing playing golf with visiting the region and local food and wine.

“We all thought it was fabulous as a destination.

“The region just offered so much, I loved it, I absolutely loved it.

“Orange was on my bucket list to visit and to play golf was icing on the cake.

“It’s on our calendar list for next year,” Crichton said.