Ontario native to return to RBC Canadian Open
Blainville, Que. (RCGA) – Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont. once again captured Canada’s most prestigious amateur golf crown, carding a final round 4-under par (70-69-68-68—275) 68 to win back-to-back titles at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
Burke finished the 105th playing of the Canadian amateur at 13-under par to become only the fourth competitor in the championship’s history to repeat in a stroke-play format.
“Anytime you win a national championship it’s great - it doesn’t matter if you’ve won 10 in a row,” said Burke. “The win is extra special considering the guys in this field. (Nick) Taylor and (Matt) Hill are really impressive players.”
Heading into the final round leading at 9-under par, Burke would match his tournament best round of 68 thanks to a timely eagle on the par-5, 515 yard 8th hole.
“The 8th hole was the turning point for me,” added Burke. “Mitch (Sutton) was putting on a great charge and the eagle gave me some breathing room at a crucial time.”
After striping his 302 yard drive down the middle of the fairway, Burke had just 213 yards left to the pin. He’d stick his approach to 12-feet before sinking the putt and getting to 12-under par. He’d card two birdies and a bogey on his back nine to finish at 68 a single stroke ahead of London, Ont. native Mitch Sutton.
Burke’s eagle would prove critical as Sutton - a member of Team Canada’s National Developmental Team and a two-time Canadian junior champion - put on an impressive rally which got him to within one-stroke of the eventual champion.
While Sutton’s play was impressive, so was the confidence Burke showed draining a two-foot putt for the win on No. 18.
“I’ve never had a longer two-footer in my life,” joked Burke.
The Eastern Michigan University senior who will head back to school in two-weeks is a second alternate at the USGA’s (United States Golf Association’s) 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship which takes place August 24-30 at Southern Hills Country Club and Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
The 22-year old said he would be back for a shot to three-peat in 2010 when the Canadian amateur heads to London, Ont. Next year’s event will be co-hosted by London Hunt and Country Club and Redtail Golf Course.
With the win, Burke also earns an exemption into the 2010 RBC Canadian Open to be held at the storied St. George’s Golf Club in Toronto. He finished T129th and failed to make the cut at Canada’s only PGA TOUR event this year after shooting a 74-73—147 (+3).
Sutton, who will head to North Carolina State University in the fall, finished second this week in Blainville, a single-shot back of Burke at (71-67-70-68—276) 12-under.
Three players T3rd at 5-under par including the Royal and Ancient’s (R&A’s) Nos. 1 and 4 ranked amateur golfers in the world, Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. and Matt Hill of Forest, Ont. respectively. The other player was Dundas, Ont. native Mackenzie Hughes.
A complete list of players and results for the 105th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship can be found online at www.rcga.org.
The following are final scores for Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
1. Cam Burke, New Hamburg, ON, *70-69-68-68-275 -13
2. Mitch Sutton, London, ON, *71-67-70-68-276 -12
3. Mackenzie Hughes, Dundas, ON, *70-76-69-68-283 -5
3. Nick Taylor, Abbotsford, BC, *72-68-70-73-283 -5
3. Matt Hill, Forest, ON, *65-72-73-73-283 -5
6. Kevin Carrigan, Victoria, BC, *74-73-68-69-284 -4
6. Brett Cairns, Courtland, ON, *71-71-72-70-284 -4
6. Cory Renfrew, Victoria, BC, *67-73-72-72-284 -4
9. Darren Wallace, Langley, BC, *68-73-71-73-285 -3
10. Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, BC, *71-74-72-69-286 -2
10. Scott Stiles, Calgary, AB, *72-73-71-70-286 -2
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
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