Burton Captures Second PNGA Men's Master-40 Title

Chase, British Columbia – Bob Burton of Everett, Wash. secured his second PNGA Men’s Master – 40 Amateur Championship title today defeating Rob Whiton of Vancouver, B.C. 1 up at Talking Rock Resort and Quaaout in Chase, B.C.

Both players played solid golf the entire day with the match being all square or Burton holding a slim 1 up lead most of the day. The two came to the 17th hole all square at the short, 278 yard par-4. Whiton had the honor and hooked his drive into the left trees. Burton played it safe laying up in perfect position with a hybrid club. After Whiton was forced to punch out sideways, Burton nestled his pitch shot about 6-feet from the flag. Whiton was unable to save par and conceded the birdie to Burton as the two went to the 18th with Burton leading 1 up.

One of the Talking Rock’s toughest holes, both players hit their tee shots into the right fairway bunker leaving themselves with about 190 yard approach shots. Whiton played first and hit “one of the best 5-irons” he’s ever hit and put his ball on the back of the green with the tough front right hole location. Burton then came up short and left his shot in the greenside bunker. From there, Burton hit a real nice shot to leave himself with an 8-foot putt for par. Whiton’s long birdie putt just missed on the low side leaving Burton with an 8-footer for the win. Burton’s putt rolled true and found the back of the cup for the 1 up victory.

This win was Burton’s second PNGA Master-40 title, which he first won in 2006. Burton was also the 2006 PNGA Senior Player of the Year. To be eligible for the Pacific Northwest Men’s Master-40 Amateur Championship, contestants must have reached their 40th birthday by the first day of the competition and also carry a handicap index of 16.4 or less. The championship consists of 36 holes of stroke play qualifying to determine flights for the match play portion of the championship. The lowest 32 scorers from the qualifying rounds will advance to the Championship Flight, with each of the remaining flights being comprised of eight contestants. All matches are single-elimination and contested over 18 holes.

Championship Flight -- (Final) Bob Burton, Everett, Wash. (6) def. Rob Whiton, Vancouver, B.C. (17), 1 up

First Flight -- (Final) Mike Mannion, Gibsons, B.C. (1) def. Gerald Stoddart, Calgary, AB (7), 4 and 2

Second Flight -- (Final) Stephen Jenkins, Van, B.C. (3) def. Gary Heselton, Surrey, B.C. (4), 8 and 7

Third Flight -- (Final) Tod Stewart, Vancouver, B.C. (2) def. Peter A Scott, Burnaby, B.C. (8), 1 up

Fourth Flight -- (Final) Michael Welling, Hayden Lake, Idaho (2) def. Larry Bray, Panorama, B.C. (1), 5 and 3

Fifth Flight -- (Final) Byron J Hall, Abbotsford, B.C. (3) def. Randy Narcisse, Chase, BC (4), 2 up

CLICK HERE FOR STROKE PLAY QUALIFYING RESULTS AND MATCH PLAY RESULTS FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK