By Larry Moko
Colton Cheeseman of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School has a couple of significant dates to circle on his competitive golf calendar.
From Nov. 8-10 the Grade 10 student will be participating -- as one of two Canadian qualifiers -- in the prestigious Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship in Louisiana. That three-round competition at Koasati Pines will be televised at a later date on the Golf Channel.
And from Oct. 16-17, he'll be in Timmins taking part for the first time in the 2024 OFSAA golf championship.
"It's pretty cool," said Cheeseman, who was also champion of the recent Hamilton-Halton Junior Golf Tour. "It's exciting."
Cheeseman punched his ticket for the annual provincial high school showcase tournament with his performance in the open category at Wednesday's Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference final at Piper's Heath in Milton.
There, he shot 87 to place fifth overall in difficult playing conditions on the 6,621-yard par-72 layout.
"I think it's great that Colton is going to OFSAA," St. Thomas More coach Rebecca Young said. "It's well deserved.
"It was a tough day for everyone out there ... windy, cold and rainy."
Cheeseman narrowly missed an OFSAA golf berth last year when there was a misunderstanding about his playing status.
The lowest scores Wednesday were turned in by Maxwell Harrison of King's Christian College (open 80) and Bobby Hamilton of Holy Trinity (high school 81).
King's Christian also captured the team championship, while St. Thomas More placed fourth. The Knights foursome also included Marco DiFrancesco, Grady Aussem and Jordan Dejussel.
"The conditions were so tough," Cheeseman said. "The pins were tucked in the corners and the greens were really firm. First bounces weren't spinning back at all."
Jett Metaxas of the Bishop Ryan Celtics shot an 87 as a high school player but did not advance. Jackson Palmer of the St. Mary Crusaders (HS) also did not advance with a 97.
Last year, Metaxas fired a 77 on the same GHAC course to come first in the high school division.
"Last year I came here in shorts and a T-shirt," the Grade 10 student from BR said. "This year I came in pants and a sweater and I was cold.
"It's not a pretty score. But I feel OK about it. I'm proud of how I battled all day."
Metaxas was the bantam division champion of the 2024 Hamilton-Halton Junior Tour.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym RFB Sport Photography
More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page here.
