Round 4 Recap

Bunker Schools the Field at Ontario Amateur

Etobicoke, ON – Woodbridge native Dave Bunker captured his first Ontario Amateur Championship today at Islington Golf Club, topping off a string of strong finishes in the 2008 season and capturing his third career provincial championship. Bunker, a high school teacher by trade, fired a final round one-under 70 to finish four strokes ahead of the field.

Bunker, 43, jumped into the lead in the second round after finishing tied for eighth place on day one. His blazing 65 vaulted him into a two stroke lead, and he managed to hold off the field through the third and fourth rounds to secure the title, at seven-under par. Despite challenging weather throughout the week, including suspended play on Tuesday afternoon and an hour and a half rain delay Friday morning, Bunker was unaffected by the inclement conditions.

“I actually played by best game on Wednesday, which was the windiest day. That round (65) definitely made the difference for me in winning the tournament,” says Bunker. “This is a very exciting result and I’m extremely pleased to win my third provincial championship.”

The 2007 Mid-Amateur Champion and 2003 Match Play Champion will represent Ontario along with three other top finishers at the Canadian Amateur Championships August 11th-14th in Lethbridge, Alberta.

A four-way tie for second place resulted in a playoff for the three Ontario team spots. Cam Burke of Baden, Shawn LaFontaine of Cobourg, Simon McInnis of Toronto and David Markle of Sherburne all finished with four day total scores of 281, three under par. Following the playoff, Bunker, LaFontaine, McInnis and Markle will travel to Lethbridge while Burke will join sixth place finisher David Byrne of Essex at the Barrett Invitational in New Brunswick next month. Also finishing in sixth was Matt Hill of Sarnia. Defending champion Christopher Ross of Dundas was eighth. Bunker will also represent Ontario at the upcoming Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship in Qualicum Beach, BC.

The Ontario Amateur Championship is restricted to GAO members carrying an 8.4 handicap factor or less. The field of 156 was cut to 62 after 36 holes of play. Past winners of the event include 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), PGA Tour player Jon Mills (2001), and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (’64, ’68, ’71, ’74, ’74, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’81 & ’84).

The GAO would like to thank Investors Group for their generous support of the GAO and of amateur golf in Ontario. Special thanks are also extended to the outstanding staff and members of Islington Golf Club for their hospitality throughout the week. The course was in top condition throughout the event despite wet conditions.

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For more information contact:

Claire Welsh

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Golf Association of Ontario

Phone: 905.852.1101 ext. 234

Email: cwelsh@gao.ca