Golf Team Captures Provincial Championship
The St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) Blue Eagles Golf team made a triumphant journey to Timmins, Ontario, capturing the gold medal at OFSAA provincial championships from October 15 to 17, 2024.
Competing at the demanding Hollinger Golf Club, the Blue Eagles emerged victorious, clinching their second provincial gold medal, echoing their 2019 triumph. This year’s team, led by standout golfer Matthew Simpson, Grade 11, etched their names into school history again with a dominant wire-to-wire performance.
The four-member team—Simpson, Joseph Totino, Grade 9, Luke Olynick, Grade 11, and Viggo Juulsgaard, Grade 12—faced challenging conditions from the outset. Their practice round was played in rainy, chilly 5°C weather, testing their mental toughness and preparedness. The poor weather persisted on the tournament’s opening day, adding another layer of difficulty to the course’s already demanding terrain.
Despite these hurdles, the Blue Eagles soared on day one. With poise and precision, Simpson shot a solid round of 73, putting him in third place individually, just two strokes behind the tournament leader. His calm and composed performance set the pace for his teammates, with Totino firing a 78 to secure seventh place and Olynick close behind with a 79, placing 11th out of 120 golfers. By the end of the first day, SMCS had built an impressive 12-stroke lead over their nearest competitor, Upper Canada College (UCC).
Day two of the competition brought slightly warmer conditions, with temperatures rising to 16°C. However, the pressure of maintaining their lead remained intense. Once again, Simpson led the way, continuing his consistently high level of play, earning a bronze medal, and becoming the first SMCS golfer to receive an individual medal at OFSAA. His steady demeanour and remarkable shot-making were instrumental in keeping the team ahead throughout the tournament.
“It was an honour to represent my school at OFSAA for the first time in my high school career,” says Simpson. “It was a surreal feeling to bring home two medals for St. Mike’s at such a challenging and demanding golf course.”
Totino, who finished seventh overall, delivered another strong performance, while Olynick’s top-20 finish proved crucial to the team’s overall success.
“I’ve been waiting two years (since Grade 7) for the opportunity to qualify and play for an OFSAA championship,” says Totino. “It was great to win on my first try with amazing teammates. The conditions were tough, but we battled through and got it done. I’ll be proud to see our banner hanging for years to come.”
By the end of the tournament, the Blue Eagles maintained their lead, finishing eight strokes ahead of UCC and claiming the coveted gold medal.
“We are so very proud of the boys,” says coach and math teacher Mike Ross ’86. “A long bus ride to Timmins, tough weather for the practice round, and a difficult course against a highly competitive field meant they had to stay focused and sharp to bring home the gold medal.”
With this championship win, the Blue Eagles have solidified their reputation as one of Ontario’s premier high school golf programmes. With all but Juulsgaard returning next year, the future looks bright for SMCS as they aim to defend their title in 2025. Congratulations to the team and their coaches on a remarkable achievement!
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