WARREN, R.I. (AP) – A welder from Coventry won a regional contest for the biggest pumpkin Monday with an entry weighing 1,443 pounds.

Scott Palmer took top honors at the 12th annual Rhode Island Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Championship, held at Frerichs Farm. The world record is a 1,446-pound pumpkin grown last year by Al Eaton, of Ontario, Canada, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

“Best day of my life. I got my family here, helped me grow it all year, what else is there to say?” said Palmer, who took home $3,500 as the victor.

While Palmer didn’t set a new global mark, he shattered the state record set last year by Steve Perry, of Johnston, who grew a 1,253-pound fruit.

Palmer’s advice to others? “Keep growing.”

The competition is sponsored by the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Association and the DEM.