Jack Ainscough is youngest winner of Hartlepool Golf Club CHampionship at age 15

The in-form and rising talent from Dyke House capped finishing his GCSE exams by getting his hands on the title at the age of just 15 years, 10 months and 19 days.

Never before has anyone so young beaten off the competition from the rest of the club, beating the previous best set by Paul Newbury in 1984 aged 17.

Shotton’s Ainscough followed up an opening round three-under 67 with a 71 on the Sunday to finish six shots clear of his closest rival Cameron Wallace, who impressed by finishing second in the men’s tournament.

And Ainscough said: “Winning is a good habit to get in to and I just want to keep it up.

“I am extremely proud to have won the Hartlepool Golf Club Championship.

“It felt great to win knowing I was just 15 and by six shots.

“I had a lesson on Thursday with my Durham Union coach Andrew Nicholson, and he has been great for me over the years, so that helped

“Then, I have also had the advice of Graeme Storm to help me, and it’s been really worthwhile. I have to thank them both.”

Dyke House’s golf consultant and European Tour pro, Graeme Storm, is delighted for the young talent from Shotton, who intends to return to Dyke House Sixth Form College to sit his A-levels in September, and carry on developing his golf.

“I think it is an awesome achievement but one of no surprise to me as I believe Jack has huge talent, ability and most of all confidence to go as far as he wants to in the game,” said Storm.

“Jack has a huge future and I believe this is just another stepping stone he has leaped over on his way to progressing into a top amateur.

“I would like to think that Jack can look at my achievements and hope to match if not better them over the next few years and no one would be more proud than me.”

Ainscough had already finished second in the Durham County Under-18s Boys, won the North of England Schools’ Championship and finished in the top ten of the men’s Durham County Championship, before shining through at Hartlepool over the weekend.

This weekend he is looking to carry on his good work by doing well in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters at Nizels Golf Club in Kent.