Bill Dunk won five Australian PGA Championships and the New Zealand Open in twice (1972 & 1975). He won over 100 tournaments and broke over 80-course records, more than any other golfer in Australia, and in 1970 led the world’s scoring averages from Jack Nicklaus with 70.21 for 110 rounds.
In 1970, Dunk set an Australian lowest-score record of 10 under par 60 at Merewether in the NBN-3 Tournament. His course records include 61 at Maitland, NSW, 63 at Hastings New Zealand, 64 at Victoria Golf Club ( 9 birdies, 9 pars), then the lowest score ever played in the Australian Open – 64 in the Texas Open, 65 at Royal Selangor, 66 at Royal Sydney and 66 at Kingston Heath.
In 1971, at Coffs Harbour, he surged to 11 under after only 12 holes. He finished with 63, nine under par on the card. In a span of 30 months between 1967–1969, he won 25 tournaments and set 25-course records. Dunk represented Australia in three World Cups and won the Malaysian Open and the New Zealand Open before settling on the NSW Central Coast.
1972 New Zealand Open: Played at Paraparaumu Beach on November 23 to 26. The greens at this event were the subject of much criticism from the players, particularly those who had experienced superb conditions at the course previously.
The opening round saw Stanley and Smith, two young Australians lead with 67, four strokes under par. After the second day, the lead switched to Godfrey and Croker, the latter with a fine 66.
Going into the final day this pair had been joined by Bill Dunk with Bembridge close at hand. With one hole to play these two were tied and the eighteenth hole, a par 5 was playing very short on the day. Bembridge overshot the green and failed to recover allowing Dunk, who had an adventurous final round, take the championship.
1975 New Zealand Open: Played at the Hamilton Golf Club’s St Andrews course on November 21 to 24. The final round was due to be played on Sunday 23rd but heavy rain flooded the course and play was postponed until next day.
Bill Dunk, who had won at Paraparaumu Beach in 1972 led the field with 64 on the first day and was never headed. His second round, a par 72, gave some hope to several rivals as the leader had earned a reputation in Australia of failing to build on a leading position.
Fleisher, Godfrey and Charles all scored second round 69’s but it was only Fleisher along with Brask who lasted to make a challenge on the final day.
A final round of 66, equalled by compatriot Jack Newton, saw Dunk home for his second New Zealand Open title by four strokes.
Bill Dunk was inducted as a life member of the Australasian Tour in 1996.
