Top local amateur bowler Dean Lightbourne was yesterday still basking in the glow of his first professional title after winning the PBA Southern Region Open.

Lightbourne put on a solid display to defeat tour pro Brian Brazeau 213-149 in the final of the weekend extravaganza at Warwick Lanes which he said came as a result of a tried and true recipe...hard work.

"I was most successful because of all the work I put in beforehand,'' said Lightbourne. "I did a lot of tournaments here and overseas as part of the build-up which helped, as well as weight training. I was able to just stay focussed and treat it like a job.'' His work certainly paid off, as he collected $4,000 for his efforts over the three days of competition where he compiled a 7-5 record during the round robin phase, earning a berth in the play-off, where he first defeated Greg Wilson of Virginia 236-165 to set up the finale against top qualifier Brazeau.

And with the home crowd squarely behind him Lightbourne did not disappoint, taking advantage of Brazeau who seemed to lose the good form shown earlier.

Brazeau walked away with $2,000 for his efforts.

Another factor in Lightbourne's favour was his familiarity with the lanes and their tendencies.

"In the morning they oil the lanes in a pattern and we had to bowl on that pattern the whole day and by around 6 o'clock they became drier and I was more comfortable where I was playing the ball than they were,'' said Lightbourne.

"I went from bowling down the middle to the left, closer to the gutter, while they didn't come as far over.'' Lightbourne said that he didn't feel nervous at all during the final, as he had been prepared through his frequent forays abroad to tournaments where he often faces similar type competition.

"When I do go overseas I come against guys of the same calibre,'' he said.

"For example, in Cincinnati last year I was in the final playing for $100,000 and won $22,750 (second place), so I was prepared.'' However, there is a downside to Lightbourne's triumph. With the victory the local cannot again take part in the tournament unless he is a full-fledged professional as mandated by PBA rules.

Lightbourne said he has no immediate plans to turn pro and it would appear that he would have to sit out next year's event.

His focus is on improving while taking part in various amateur events, many of which still offer cash incentives.

Next on the agenda is the National Bowling Association Eastern Regional tournament in Delaware starting on March 17, with a purse of $3,000 on offer.

"I'm going just to stay sharp,'' said Lightbourne, who counts three perfect 300-games to his credit as well as an 800 series recorded in Cincinnati. "I want to go as far as the sport can take me. I can only look ahead and go forward.

"I've achieved a lot, but there is still much out there to get. I would especially like to win one of those mega-buck tournaments.''