The 65-year-old Belmont veteran will end a 10-year absence at the 72-hole tournament on Thursday to mark the 40th anniversary of his victory in 1972.

The then 25-year-old carded an even-par 288 to beat good friend and future state foursomes championship-winning partner Owen Beldham, from Newcastle, by two shots.

Back then the Amateur was played on the Australia Day long weekend with a foursomes competition on Saturday followed by the 72 holes of strokeplay crammed into Saturday and Sunday.

In 1973, Boyle almost won successive crowns before he was defeated by Rodger Davis, who went on to win the 1986 British PGA Championship and Australian Open.

He considered turning professional but he chose to remain amateur due to his high-paying job as an electrician in underground coalmines.

Boyle still plays twice a week and has a handicap of three.

After Beldham played at the NSW Open at Newcastle in November to mark the 39th anniversary of his victory in the event, Boyle said he felt inspired to return to the Lake Macquarie Amateur.

‘‘I’d been thinking about it for a while and my game hasn’t been too good but I’ve struck a good patch,’’ Boyle said.

‘‘It would be a dream just to make the cut virtually. If you make the cut you’re going to beat half the field, so for a 65-year-old I’ll be pretty happy with that as the rest weren’t even thought of back in 1972.’’

Boyle last played in the Amateur in 2002 to mark the 30th anniversary of his win.

His rounds of 72 and 74 meant he was two over and missed the cut.

‘‘I thought these young blokes can have it, shooting two over par and still missing out,’’ Boyle said.

In 2005, he made his international debut in the Asia Pacific Senior Amateur Golf Championship, in China, where he helped Australia finish second to the Philippines in the teams tournament.

He rated the experience as a lifetime highlight.

‘‘When I came back I thought what else can I do and my game dropped off a bit, because I got a bit slack,’’ Boyle said.

‘‘I’ve got the bug back big time again.

‘‘I’ve been playing since I was eight, so 57years and you never lose that competitive urge. You just want to make all those putts and shots but the old body won’t allow it sometimes.’’