Dave Bunker had work to do on Wednesday, even with the lead.
The Ontario, Canada, senior carried a three-shot cushion into the final round at the Heron Creek Senior Invitational, then played the kind of round that wins tournaments — not flashy, just solid — signing for a 1-under 71 to finish at 2-under 214 and claim a two-stroke victory.
Brendan Hester of Northbridge, MA, made the last-day charge, closing with a 68 to take second at even-par 216 (73-75-68), but never quite got the tournament out of Bunker’s hands.
Bunker’s week was defined by the extremes: an opening 67 that put him in control, a second-round 76 that tightened the race, and then a composed finish when it mattered. He began his final round at 1-under 143, three clear of Sean McQueary (71-75) at 2-over 146, and didn’t give the field the run it needed.
The win is Bunker’s second in nine days — he also won the Plantation Senior Invitational — and it pushes him to No.1 on the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings.
It also fits the shape of his 2025 season: consistently in the mix and now converting. His 2025 season included a T-5 at the British Senior Amateur, T-10 in the Jones Cup Senior Invitational, a T-3 at the Florida Senior Amateur, and a T-10 at the Plantation Senior Invitational before this back-to-back stretch.
Former champion Kevin VandenBerg, the 2022 winner, posted 76-74-75 to finish sixth at 9-over 225.
Elsewhere at Heron Creek, titles were decided across the divisions. Michael O’Donell of Atlanta, GA, won the Super Senior division by two at 6-over 222 (73-76-73). Gregory Osborne of Lititz, PA, defended his Legends title with 77-71-71 to win by four at 3-over 219. And John Osborne took Super Legends by three at 11-over after rounds of 74-77-76.