Morris wins title in playoff; No. 1 Men's Golf wins OCAA silver medal

BARRIE – Top-ranked Humber men's golf captured the 2024 OCAA silver medal Wednesday evening at the Barrie Country Club, finishing five strokes back of winning its third straight provincial title.

After a tough opening round, the Hawks responded on moving day, taking a one-stroke lead into the final day. Unfortunately, Humber could not hold on as St. Clair shot a tournament-low 297 to come from seven strokes back to capture the program's first provincial title.

The highlight for the Hawks was second-year golfer Matt Morris, who captured an individual silver medal last season. After two rounds of 73, Morris' triple bogey on the 12^th hole and saw his lead slip away. The St. Catharines native finished the next six holes two-under par, however he was assessed a one-stroke penalty for pace of play. The penalty put Morris into a tie with Nathan Lepore – who finished round three with a tournament-low three-under-par 69 – forcing a playoff to determine a champion. When three holes weren't enough, the duo replayed the 18^th hole another time, this time Morris' tee shot went right, hitting the bunker and bouncing out, landing on the downslope of a hill on the long par-5. Lepore's second shot was brilliant, reaching the green in two, forcing Morris to step up if he wanted to win gold. Sitting 215 yards from a green protected by a front bunker, Morris hit a 4-iron to the left side of the green, sitting on the fringe, not far from Lepore's ball.

His 65-foot eagle putt was just as brilliant, hitting a well-paced putt up the slope and a few feet shy of the hole. Lepore's putt had too much pace, leaving the rookie with a tough birdie putt downhill. After Lepore's miss, Morris tapped home his birdie putt to win the individual title.

Tournament Highlights

• Morris becomes Humber's first individual champion since Conner Watt in 2017 and the 16^th in program history.
• Humber finished on the podium for the 27^th time since 1996.

2nd – Humber (150, 165, 156 – 471)

1. Matt Morris: 73, 73, 79 - 225
   9. Daniel Talmage: 79, 75, 78 - 232
   t13. Trey Ross: 83, 78, 75 - 236
   t16. Arman Mohammed: 78, 79, 80 - 237
   t25. Ryan Holwell: 81, 86, 77 - 244

What's Next?

Top-ranked Humber will now set its sights on capturing its third straight national championship at RedCrest Golf Course beginning October 15.