NEW Harold Ryden champion Ben Scott last night revealed the golfing exploits of Shaw Hill ace Nick Dougherty inspired him to become the competition's youngest winner ever.

The placid, ice-cool 17-year-old from Burnley enjoyed his finest moment after beating Ian Short 2 and 1 in a thrilling finale to the East Lancashire Golf Association's showpiece event at Nelson GC.

And the A-level student at St Theodore's also admitted that the last three days have been the best in his life. "I cannot describe what it feels like to win an event like this," said Scott.

"And to be one of the youngest champions ever makes it even more special. These last three days have been the best of my life.

"To beat three Nelson players on their home course is just incredible.

"But I've practised very hard for this over the last four weeks or so.

"I played a round with Nick Dougherty a couple of months ago and some of the places he was getting down from were amazing.

"That inspired me to work even harder on my short game and I'm just glad it paid off."

Towneley's Steve Holden had been the competition's youngest ever champion when he won it at Shaw Hill in 1984 aged 17 years and six months.

But Scott has now surpassed that landmark having only turned 17 on March 2 this year.