The $4500 he pocketed for wining the Lake Macquarie Pro-am at Belmont will be squirreled away and used for travel to pre-qualifiers at the bigger Australasian events during summer.

Nearly as valuable will be the confidence Bridges took from winning at his home course on Monday - the 26-year-old's first tournament triumph in a year.

Bridges set up the victory with a brilliant blemish-free eight-under 64 on Sunday, before adding a 71 to finish at nine under and out last Jordan Zunic (66,70).

"Eight under is my best tournament score," Bridges said. "I have played rounds where I have had a lot of birdies but also thrown in bad shots. I was really happy not to throw a good round away. To do it at my home course was a bonus. It builds confidence. I know I can put at least two rounds together."

Bridges and Zunic were equal at nine under with a hole to play. Bridges kept his nerve to make a regulation par but Zunic, who was in the group behind, faltered with a three-putt.

"That is not how you want to win but I was happy with how I went," Bridges said. "I could have gone either way. It was a nervous start - two bogeys in the opening five holes. I hadn't been in this position in a while. I was lucky that I played with some good blokes (amateurs) over the two days and they made me relax."

Cal O'Reilly carded a second round 67 to move into third place at seven under.

Putting was the difference for Bridges, who had 10 three-putts over two days at the Hawks Nest Pro-am on Friday and Saturday.

"I have been hitting the ball quite well but have been struggling with the putter," Bridges said. "It was all mental at Hawks Nest. The greens were immaculate.

"Sleeping down the road in my own bed, I got to Belmont early on Saturday and practiced my putting. I knew I was going to hit the ball well at Belmont, it was a case of getting the ball in the hole."

Bridges lost his card in the Philippines mid year and has been working as a labourer with a Newcastle scaffolding company and playing pro-ams.

"It has been a bit of a struggle," he said. "I don't have a category this year. I'm trying to save up for the Aussie summer and hopefully do some pre-qualifiers. You turn up at events and guys are shooting ridiculous scores. Eight-under is standard nowadays. The level of golf is exceptional in Australia. You need to be on your game every day. It's draining but you have keep plugging away and take advantage of your opportunities.

"I have Thursday off work and will play the Nelson Bay pro-am and hope I can back up the good form."

READ MORE: IN-FORM FERRIER EYES MAJOR AMATEUR EVENTS

* Newcastle District selectors face a tough time finalising a six-man team for the NSW Country Championships in Bathurst in November.

An under-strength outfit went down 14.5-9.5 to ACT-Monaro at Yowani Golf Club last weekend.

Colt Luke Ferrier and junior Hamish Ellison were late withdrawals from the side due to club championship commitments at Newcastle and Belmont. Both players won.

Newcastle had to borrow three players from Goulburn but still pushed the home side hard.

They had a one-point lead after the fourball matches on Saturday, but couldn't hang on.

In the match play on Sunday, they lost the seniors 4-2. Lachlan Cairns (Merewether) and Steve Hassett (Muree) were the winners. Ben Hawes (Newcastle) was the only winner in four colts matches. Harry Cleare (Nelson Bay) led the way in the juniors with a strong win, while Jake Riley (Toronto) and Caleb Bromley (Waratah) finished square.

* Hawks Nest officials were thrilled with the inaugural two-day Beachside pro-am and plan to continue the expanded format next year.

Sydneysider Ben Clementson fired rounds of 66,70 to be at eight-under and win by a stroke from former US PGA tour-winner Peter Lonard (67,70). Jordan Zunic (67,71) was a stroke back third.

Among the highlights, was the 95 metre par-three shootout on Saturday evening which involved professionals and selected amateurs.

Mark Gilson was the best of the professionals, hitting a sand iron to 1.45m.

Stuart Sinclair, whose company Ray White Tea Gardens sponsored the event, was the best amateur. He forfeited the prize which went to Brendan Parry, the son of former US Tour winner Craig.

* Newcastle young gun Josh Robards departed on Monday for Canada where he will represent Jack Newton Junior Golf at the MJT National Teams Challenge at the Royal Niagara Golf Club starting Saturday.

* Players from Canada, Hawaii, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa and South Korea are among more than 350 registered for next month's Jack Newton Sub Junior International (14-years and under). Entries for the tournament which will be held at Crown Plaza Hunter Valley close on Thursday.

* Charlestown have places available for the Variety Club charity day on Friday. Ben Ikin, Mick Hagan and Nikki Garrett are the special guests. Ring the club for details.