BOB GUNNELL

For most of the players who participate in the Southwestern New York – Northwestern Pennsylvania Men’s Amateur, golf is merely an avocation – a highly rewarding, but often frustrating hobby.

Bob Gunnell has a full-time job, but his real occupation is golf.

Now 52, “The Gunner,” as he is known, has worked for years as a meter reader for Jamestown’s Board of Public Utilities.

But those who have followed his career on the links could be excused for thinking he was a professional golfer.

Gunnell has enjoyed tremendous success in Buffalo District Golf Association events for more than two decades. On occasion it has been rumored he’s been playing matches for money.

However, he’s also left an indelible mark on the Men’s Amateur.

Over a period of 11 years, Gunnell appeared in the tournament seven times, making the finals on five occasions.

Not only did he win the event in 1975 and 1978, but he finished second in 1969, 1976 and 1977. In addition, Gunnell was medalist in 1969 and 1974.

And though he hasn’t played in the Men’s Amateur for years, his memories are still fresh and pleasant.

“For a long time we weren’t allowed to play,” Gunnell reflected, “but then the boundaries were expanded (1969) and a few of us from Jamestown entered.”

“The Gunner” didn’t just enter, he also won the medal before losing in the finals, 2-and-1, to Frank Higgins.

Over the next decade, he became a familiar sight at the tournament… the deliberate, yet confidant walk and the ever-present chew of tobacco.
Gunnell’s most impressive round in the Men’s Amateur was probably the 1960 medal-winning, one-under-par 69 he shot at Bartlett in a driving rain.

But his fondest memory was the victory in 1978.

“I’ll never forget that one because of who I had to beat to do it,” Gunnell emphasized, as Dan Stetz sat within earshot. “It was one of those years where almost all of the top players were in one bracket.

“Danny ended up playing his mother and sister in his bracket,” he recalled, unable to stifle a laugh at his reference to Stetz’s opposition, “and I had to play Max Payne (winning 1-up in 19 holes), Jim Brady (two-time champ) and Kent Stauffer (who would win the Men’s Amateur the following year), just to reach the finals.”

Gunnell downed Stetz 3-and-2 to win the tournament.

However, the next year was his last men’s Amateur appearance, though he’s hinting at a return for the 50th anniversary in August.

“I always enjoyed playing in the tournament, and I still have all the clippings,” Gunnell admitted, “but I play in a lot of tournaments and it was difficult for me to use a whole week to play in just this one.

“You could make more comparatively playing in a one-day tournament, but what always made this (Men’s Amateur) special was the match play and the atmosphere.

“Plus, I never played in another tournament that was so consistently well-publicized. Most tournaments get little coverage, if any, but this one has always been treated like a big event.’