Tim Bunten wins second straight Carolinian Amateur

May 23, 2021 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com

- Carolinas Golf Association photo

The East Carolina standout birdies the final hole to secure one-shot victory and successfully defend his title at Keith Hills GC

Tim Bunten of Concord, N.C. won his second straight Carolinian Amateur Championship on Sunday, closing with a 2-over par 74 to finish 4-under 212 for the tournament. Bunten squeaked out the victory over Graham Chase of Charlotte, N.C. and Mason Tucker of Lancaster, S.C. who both tied for second one stroke off the lead at 3-under-par, 213 total.

Bunten, who just finished his senior year at East Carolina, grabbed control of the tournament with an opening round 67 on the Keith Hills Golf Club layout and never relinquished the lead, carding rounds of 71 and 74 over the weekend. His road to a second straight Carolinian Amateur title was anything but easy, as the Concord, N.C. native clung to just a one-shot lead following a double bogey on the par-4 16th hole. Bunten steadied with a par-3 on the 17th and drained a birdie putt on the final hole to seal a one-stroke victory over Close and Tucker.

“Draining that putt on No. 18 was a very good feeling. As soon as I got it over the water in two shots, I took a deep breath. I was pretty sure that I won it after that putt, but I wasn’t sure until I heard the really loud applause and then I knew I had won it again,” said Bunten.

“I was scrambling really well. I had a couple of great up and downs on the front that kept the momentum up. I made a lot of eight to 12-footers for par to keep things moving. I didn’t feel the best off the tee, but around the greens I felt really good.”

This is Bunten’s second CGA championship title and he will be seeking his third at the North Carolina Amateur Championship and the North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship this summer. “Winning this is awesome,” said Bunten. “I love it here (at Keith Hills Golf Club). I tend to play well here and it is great to continue that good play and start the summer off hot. It led to a really good summer last year so hopefully I can do the same this year.”

Columb Knight of Raleigh, N.C. finished in solo fourth with a three-day total of 2-under-par, 214. A three-way-tie between Michael La Sasso of Raleigh, N.C., David Sargent of Cornelius, N.C. and Thomas Owen of Fayetteville, N.C. claimed fifth with a 1-under-par, 215 overall finish.

The Carolinas Golf Assocation contributed to this report.

About the Carolinian Amateur

The tournament format is 54-holes of stroke play for male amateur golfers ages 16 and older who have a USGA handicap index of 9.9 or lower at a CGA member club. The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties after 36-holes. The champion will receiv...

Most Popular Articles

Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National

Apr 8, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta

Masters: Memorable performances by amateurs in the last 40 years

Apr 2, 2026A Mid-Amateur legend and a 14 year old have won low-amateur honors at Augusta National over the years

U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock

Apr 8, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.

Masters 2026: Amateur Tracker Ends at Augusta as Rory McIlroy Surges Into the Lead

Apr 10, 2026All six amateurs missed the cut at the 2026 Masters, where Rory McIlroy seized control at 12-under and a dramatic Friday

2026 Augusta National Women's Amateur: Full Field Preview, Favorites & How to Watch

Mar 30, 202648 of the top 50 players in the world. Two past champions. One teenager who lost by a single stroke last year.

Filters

Related Tournament

Carolinian Amateur

View Details

Loading latest news...

Loading article...