His second national crown - the first was the South island Strokeplay three weeks earlier - was a timely confidence pill to travel aboard although nothing has changed his attitude towards turning professional in the next two years.
His goals include representing the country overseas as an amateur and clinching must-make moments.
"I'll be lying if I didn't say I was a bit nervous on the first nine, anyway, where I guess I kind of lost it," said Hutson, revealing he had difficulties sleeping on a lead for three nights but it was still the way he would have it.
"This is what I practise and play golf for. That's probably why most athletes play sport. They like that sort of adrenalin rush."
He was intending to catch up with his coach, Aaron Harding, of Takapuna, to celebrate.
In the women's equivalent, Amelia Garvey, of Canterbury, showed similar fortitude in etching her name in the Mellsop Cup with a six-shot victory over Chantelle Cassidy.
"I was hitting a lot of fairways today and putting myself in good spots to attack the pins, which meant I didn't have to do too much with my putter," said the 16-year-old England-born amateur who led from day one.
