Canadian Dave Bunker shot a second-round 71 to stand at 2-under 138 and hole a one-stroke lead over Brad Stumpf of Lewisville, Texas.
Bunker, who spends the warm months in Ridgeway, Ontario, and the winter months in Florida, made half the six birdies he recorded in the first round at Niagara Falls Country Club but will still be the man to beat as players head to the final round on Friday hoping to find some magic.
Bunker and Stumpf (69-71) are the only players under par on the tricky, par 70 layout just miles from one of the seven wonders of the world. Another Canadian golfer, Adam Creighton, is holding down third place at 142, while Mark Strickland of San Diego is in fourth at 143, 4-shots back. Strickland is rising up the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings fast, winning the Golfweek Senior, Carlton Woods Senior, and Sunnehanna Senior Amateur just a week ago.
Nine players are within six strokes of the lead, and they are hoping to shoot a low number and take a run at the title on Friday.
FIRST ROUND STORY
Dave Bunker is playing some impressive golf.
Bunker recently made a run to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur, losing 1-down to eventual runner-up Daniel Sullivan. Now, he is leading the Senior Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, N.Y.
Bunker shot a first-round 3-under 67 to take a one-shot lead. He recorded six birdies and three bogeys, including a bogey on the first hole.
Bunker birdied 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 13. He made bogeys on holes No. 1, 4, and 17. He is ranked No. 31 in the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings.
Brad Stumpf and Joe Podolski are T2 at 2-under, and Mark Strickland is in solo fourth place at 1-under. Greg Seelinger and Adam Creighton are T5 at even par. 2023 champion Rick Stimmel is T8 at 2-over after the first 18 holes.
In the Super Senior Division, Bryan Rodgers, Greg Goode, Marcus Beck, and Tom Sweigart are all tied for first place at 4-over.
In the Legends Division, Bev Hargraves is in solo first place by two shots at even par, and in the Super Legends Division, George Washburn also leads by two shots at 2-over.
Earlier this year, Chase Nevins won the 2024 Porter Cup, and Kendall Todd won the 2024 Women's Porter Cup.