Bunker Shoots 64 for Back-To-Back Wins at Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship

Ontario native earns exemption into 2010 RBC Canadian Open

Prince Albert, Sask. (RCGA) – Dave Bunker of Woodbridge, Ont., once again captured Canada’s most prestigious mid-amateur golf crown, firing a blazing 6-under par 64 to win back-to-back titles at the 23rd playing of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert, Sask.

Heading into the final round in sixth place at 2-over par, Bunker went on to shoot a bogey-free tournament best round of 64, carding four birdies and an eagle.

With the timely eagle on the par-4, 320 yard 6th hole, the veteran managed to pull out in front of week-long leader Craig Doell of Victoria who struggled with his short game during the final round.

“Winning this tournament twice is fantastic, really unbelievable,” said Bunker. “There was tough competition from a lot of great players. Craig (Doell) had a great first three rounds, so I knew I had to play well. I wanted to go out make some good shots and some good putts and play the best I could.”

The 44-year old middle school teacher was the picture of consistency this week, finishing the championship with 71-73-68-64—276 (-4).

“I was really thinking about winning the mid-master division, I wasn’t even thinking about the mid-amateur competition!” joked Bunker. “On the last few holes, I just kept thinking, ‘please don’t bogey, please don’t bogey!’ ”

With his score, Bunker also nabbed 40 and over mid-masters division for a fourth time in a row.

With the win, Bunker earned an exemption into the 2010 RBC Canadian Open to be held at the storied St. George’s Golf Club in Toronto, which will be his first appearance in Canada’s only stop on the PGA TOUR.

“The exemption into the RBC Canadian Open is such a great accomplishment,” said Bunker. “I know I’m going to look forward to this all winter.”

Doell entered Friday’s final round at 7-under par, but struggled with his putting all day. The former National Amateur Team member made three bogeys and a double bogey on the front nine. Despite two birdies on the back nine, two more bogeys and a double bogey five proved costly for the 37-year old.

“I didn’t get off to the greatest start and it seemed to go downhill from there,” said Doell. “I made some bad shots, and couldn’t seem to make the putts that I had been managing to make all week. Winning was certainly the goal for me this week. I’m disappointed that I lost, but I still had a great week.”

Doell finished the tournament with a score of 67-65-71-77—280 (E) to take home runner-up honours.

Three players T3rd at 2-over par: John Bearrie of Arlington, TX, Justin Fluit of Toronto and Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta.

Bearrie and Van Dornick also finished T2 in the mid-master division.

A complete list of players and results for the 23rd playing of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship can be found online at www.rcga.org/Championships.

The following are final scores for Friday, August 21, 2009, at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship held at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert, Sask.

Mid-Amateur Competition
1. Dave Bunker, Woodbridge, ON, 71-73-68-64-276 -4
2. Craig Doell, Victoria, BC, 67-65-71-77-280 E
3. John Bearrie, Arlington, TX, 69-71-73-69-282 +2
3. Justin Fluit, Toronto, ON, 67-71-72-72-282 +2
3. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, 72-72-66-72-282 +2
6. Ben Griffin, Victoria, BC, 72-70-71-70-283 +3
7. Senan Foley, Calgary, AB, 70-71-72-71-284 +4
7. Jeff Dinn, Victoria, BC, 68-72-70-74-284 +4
7. Daniel Brown, Kelowna, BC, 68-70-71-75-284 +4
10. Garth Collings, Matlock, MB, 73-72-68-72-285 +5
11. Travis Eggers, Ft St John, BC, 72-74-72-68-286 +6
11. Rob Cowan, Waterloo, ON, 74-72-69-71-286 +6
11. Jud Whiteside, Thornhill, ON, 72-71-71-72-286 +6
11. Norm Bradley, Kelowna, BC, 68-71-74-73-286 +6
11. Tom McKinlay Jr., Lacombe, AB, 71-73-69-73-286 +6
16. Jim Born, Lloydminster, SK, 74-71-73-69-287 +7
17. Brian Laubman, Edmonton, AB, 75-72-70-71-288 +8
17. Tyler Mcdannold, Burlington, ON, 73-68-76-71-288 +8
19. Kevin Temple, Calgary, AB, 72-69-75-74-290 +10
19. Ryan Chin, Toronto, ON, 69-74-70-77-290 +10

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