Dave Bunker Named Golfweek's Senior Player of the Month

The 3-time winter winner is off to a hot start in 2026

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:19pm

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Dave Bunker, a senior golfer who winters in Venice, Florida but spends much of the year in Ontario, Canada, has been named Golfweek's Senior Player of the Month for February 2026. Bunker won three consecutive tournaments to start the year, including the Golfweek Senior Player of the Year Classic, and has continued his strong play despite dealing with brutal winter weather conditions.

Why it matters

Bunker's early-season success highlights the competitive nature of senior golf, where top players must navigate challenging weather conditions and maintain consistency to contend for major titles. His accomplishments also showcase the importance of having a strong support team, including swing coaches, mental coaches, and an attentive spouse, to maximize performance at the highest levels of the game.

The details

Bunker won the Plantation's Senior Invitational, the Heron Creek National Senior, and the Golfweek Senior Player of the Year Classic in consecutive weeks in January 2026. He then followed that up with a top-10 finish at the Jones Cup Senior event despite dealing with brutally cold conditions. Bunker credits his consistent practice routine and the guidance of his swing coach, mental coach, and playing partner for his early-season success.

  • In January 2026, Bunker won 3 consecutive tournaments.
  • On February 26, 2026, Bunker shot a final-round 70 to move up 16 spots and finish in the top 10 at the Jones Cup Senior event.

The players

Dave Bunker

A senior golfer who winters in Venice, Florida but spends much of the year in Ontario, Canada. He has been named Golfweek's Senior Player of the Month for February 2026 after winning 3 consecutive tournaments to start the year.

Fred Davey

Bunker's swing instructor, based in Ontario, who he has worked with for over 25 years.

Drew Symons

A good player who also played on the Canadian Tour and caddied on the PGA Tour, and has become a helpful resource for Bunker, especially by playing rounds with him and providing feedback.

Paul Dewland

A mental coach who has worked with PGA Tour players, LPGA players, and college players, and has worked with Bunker for the past 15-16 years on the mental side of golf.

Bunker's wife

Often travels with Bunker and has come to know his game well, keeping track of important details like nutrition, water breaks, wind direction, and awkward lies that Bunker might overlook.

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What they’re saying

“It's a very good start. You try and ride it a little bit. You try and keep things going. It doesn't really change anything.”

— Dave Bunker (Yahoo Sports)

“He recognizes things that are going on, gives me little projects to work on that he likes to keep track of with some video.”

— Dave Bunker (Yahoo Sports)

“I've seen him, talked to him a little bit over the last 15 or 16 years on just the mental side of golf and mental preparation. What's important and not important to just kind of keep me focused or help focus things during practice sessions.”

— Dave Bunker (Yahoo Sports)

The takeaway

Bunker's early-season success demonstrates the importance of having a strong support team, including coaches, mental trainers, and an attentive spouse, to help senior golfers maintain consistency and compete at the highest levels despite the challenges posed by harsh weather conditions.