Alek M., a grade twelve student, is the 2019 OFSAA Golf Champion. Photo: courtesy of Alek M.
Alek Mauro, the 2019 OFSAA Open Division Individual Golf Champion, is a grade twelve student who is just as successful in academics as he is in athletics.
Alek started playing golf at the age of three and competed in his first tournament when he was six years old. At St. Joe’s, Alek joined the golf team where he not only made it to OFSAA all four years, but won second place in grade eleven and first place in grade twelve.
Here is a brief rundown of Alek’s journey to becoming an OFSAA champion:
On September 23rd at WECSSAA, Alek played well and shot 74, including a birdie on the first playoff hole. This meant that he won the tournament and would move on to compete against high school students from all over South Western Ontario.
SWOSSAA took place on September 30th. Alek, despite feeling like he did not play as well as he did during his previous tournament, shot 75 and was one of four individuals to qualify for OFSAA.
OFSAA was held at the Kingsville Golf and Country Club on October 16th and 17th. In spite of the cold, rainy, and windy conditions, Alek stayed focused and shot 71-74. This meant that he won by four strokes and was OFSAA champion!
Alek explained that it was his goal for grade twelve to win OFSAA, and he was very blessed and thankful to have achieved it.
In addition to the golf team, Alek also played for the boy’s volleyball team throughout all four years at St. Joe’s and was a member of the soccer team. Academically, Alek enjoys math and science courses such as calculus, chemistry, and advanced functions. Despite these challenging courses, Alek has received Honours with Distinction since grade nine.
Next year, Alek will join the Titans at the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan. He has committed to play Division 1 College Golf with them and will major in Business with a minor in Math.
Alek is very grateful for the love and support he has received from his parents, teachers, and peers. For current and future Lasers, Alek encourages you to get involved in sports. He explains that, “they are made to be fun. Any sport you have fun playing provides a very valuable experience. Golf is one of those sports for me, but it can be anything for you!”
Good luck Alek as you begin your post-secondary studies!