Burke wins fourth amateur championship

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on July 12, 2010 1:47 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Jonathan Burke did not just win the 12th annual Wayne County Men's Amateur at Southern Wayne Country Club.

He won it with emphasis.

Burke fired a final round 66 and pulled away to a 14-stroke advantage en route to his fourth WCMA championship. The former Barton College standout carded a four day total of 206 (-8) which broke the former tournament record for total score.

"I hit the ball a lot better today and more importantly I was able to make some putts," said Burke. "Putting is all about confidence, you make one and all of the sudden you make four or five in a row."

A sterling final stretch of holes led Burke, a four-time WCMA champion, back to the clubhouse.

After reaching the par five 15th hole in two, Burke narrowly missed a long eagle putt and ended the hole with an easy birdie. His following swing resulted in another birdie as Burke lifted a near-perfect iron on to the par three 16th green.

At the final hole Burke drove the ball down the middle and stuck a short iron on the front edge of the green. Burke stepped up and buried a 15-foot birdie putt to cap his day.

"I knew I was up four shots at the turn and I just tried to be steady and play my game," Burke said. "I don't think it made me play any looser than normal, I just tried to hit smart shots and put myself in good positions."

Jeremy Joyner claimed second place, 14 strokes behind Burke. Joyner finished tied with Eric Williams and Dane Jones and earned second place honors by match of cards.

"By the time we got to the back nine I think everyone in the championship flight knew that we were playing for second because of Burke's lead," said Joyner. "I was able to finish strong with a birdie and a par on the last two holes and that turned out to be good enough."

Don Garris began the final round with a six-shot lead and was able to prevail in the Senior division. Garris finished the tournament with a 215 total.

Charlie Waters maintained his 10-shot lead from the second round and won the Super Senior division over Howard Tyndall.

Next season the tournament welcomes Lane Tree Golf Club back into the rotation. The second round will take place at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Club and the final day will be played at Walnut Creek Country Club.