Manotick, Ont. – The Carleton Golf and Yacht continued to test some of the best Mid-Amateur golfers for the fourth day in a row, but nothing could stop Cam Burke’s dominant play as he finished at 14-under to capture the 2024 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO on Friday.
Starting his day atop of the leaderboard, Burke of Kitchener Ont., got off to a tough start by making a bogey on the par-4 fourth hole. From there the 37-year-old never looked back, by making an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole and recorded four birdies for the day, shooting a final round 3-under 67.
“It feels awesome. Obviously, every time you show up to one of these events that is what you are trying to do and you know I didn’t let myself get too far ahead of myself if that makes sense,” said Burke. “I tried to stay in the moment and just focus on what I was doing but now that it’s over, it feels pretty cool for sure. Again, I just, I don’t know my parents have been watching my dog all week so I kinda miss my dog so I will probably just go back there tonight and scoop her up and my friends and family will probably want to get something together this weekend, but nothing planned as of yet.”
Burke won by nine strokes over David Lang and Kyle Gordon who both tied for second at 5-under. Lang finished his final round with a 3-under 67, while Gordon recorded a 2-under 68. This is Burke’s first time winning the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship after recently capturing the Ontario Mid-Amateur championship in a playoff last month at the North Bay Golf & Country Club.
“Today I had a comfortable enough lead, but you never know because there is a lot of good players out there and things can get challenging if you are uncomfortable so what I tried to do was just focus on playing another under par round,” said Burke. “I felt like that was a good target for me and was just focus on that and not worrying so much about the leaderboard, instead kind of stay in my own little world. I was able to do that, and I was really happy with the way I played today as it could have been easy to lose focus.”
In addition to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title, Burke has received an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships.
“I have nothing on the schedule as of now so I suppose there is U.S. Mid-Amateur exemption later in the year so I would imagine I would be able to get some time off of work to go and play that, but I don’t play a ton of golf honestly,” said Burke. “I kind of just try to focus on one or two events and luckily this year they have both gone pretty well. It will be great to go and tee it up over there, but I don’t have anything coming up as of right now. I’m sure there will be some more opportunities I have to play in more events, but I will be selective with it. I had a short professional career that kind of didn’t go the way I wanted it too and I got sick of it for awhile and needed a break. I have been very mindful of not overdoing it and get back to that bad place with the game because I really do love it and enjoy it, and I want it to stay that way. I’m sure I will play a little bit more if my game is in good shape as I also have to get back to run our family business with my dad as there is still lots to be done there as well.”
Ryan DenBraber of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. came into the final round tied for sixth and finished with a 2-under 68 to place fourth overall.
Brett McKinnon of Truro, N.S., finished in fifth place at 2-under and Brooks Lancaster of Kaleden, B.C, finished in sixth place at 1-under.
Lancaster also won the Mid-Master division with Christopher Tayer of Golden, Colo. placing second. Gary Pike of Victoria, B.C., placed third in the Mid-Master after shooting a final round 1-over 71, finishing 1-over for the championship.
On Wednesday, Team Ontario defended their inter-provincial title, securing the Bruce Forbes Trophy for a record 18th time in the 30-year history of the competition. Ontario was represented by Cam Burke, Ben Thompson of Toronto, Ont., and Charles Fitzsimmons of King, Ont., who finished with a total score of 5-under to defeat Team Manitoba by seven strokes.
For the final standings at the 2024 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, please click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit https://www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.