CLITHEROE Golf Club’s assistant professional Ben Scott admitted he was ‘in shock’ after comfortably progressing from the Open Championship’s regional qualifying competition at Pleasington yesterday.

Scott posted a round of 69 to make it through to the local final qualifying stage, and is now within one good round of making his debut appearance in the Open at next month’s tournament at Turnberry.

The 26-year-old also reached local final qualifying last year but narrowly missed out on a place in the Open, which is his lifelong ambition.

So Scott was thrilled that, having been in poor form in recent weeks, he was able to perform well in regional qualifying.

“I’ve been playing so poorly recently that I’m in shock,” he said. “I was expecting to qualify but not as well as I did.

“I only played about two bad shots, compared to my normal 30!

“The course was immaculate. It was a bit breezy but I don’t mind that, being from Burnley originally. I got through last year and then the other two I played with in final qualifying both made it to the Open, but I missed out by three shots, which was heartbreaking. Playing in the Open is my dream.”

Local final qualifying will take place at four courses in Scotland on July 6 and 7, with only four of the 96 players at each course progressing to the Open.

Yesterday’s event was the last regional qualifying to be held at Pleasington after six years, with the competition switching to Clitheroe Golf Club in 2010.

Only 11 of the 102-man field would progress to local final qualifying, and Brockhall-based Harry Proos joined amateurs Neil Hargreaves, of Pleasington Golf Club, and Jonathan Hurst, of Shaw Hill, in an eight-man play-off for the final spot after rounds of 72.

Proos took the last qualification place after chipping in for a three.

Nine other East Lancashire players failed to progress – including 50-year-old Pleasington amateur Andy Westwell, who went round in 77 in his final appearance in Open qualifying.

Local scores: Ben Scott, Clitheroe, 69; Harry Proos, Rinus Roofing Supplies (Brockhall), 72; Neil Hargreaves (A), Pleasington, 72; Jonathan Hurst (A), Shaw Hill, 72; Mark Young (A), Longridge (Clitheroe), 73; Mark Bradley, Chorley, 75; Jason Ashton, Blackburn, 75; Jack Brooks (A), Pleasington, 77; Jonathan Pollard, Clitheroe, 77; Andy Westwell (A), Pleasington, 77; Ashley Siddle (A), Rossendale, 78; Paul Wright, Accrington and District, 78; Stuart Taylor, Shaw Hill, 81.