Malvern steady through first weeks of golf season

Golfers are a different breed. When other high school students think about sand and water during summer vacation, it usually means the beach and ocean, or at the very least, a lake.

Not golfers, though. For them, it means bunkers and water hazards. And the same as the other golf teams in the area, Malvern has had a busy month of August avoiding those traps. Not only busy, mind you, but successful, as well.

The Hornets got the ball rolling with a fourth-place finish in a field of 18 teams at the Little Caesar’s TCC Invitational at Union Country Club. Finishing with a team score of 327, Malvern was paced by senior Cam Good, who posted a career-best score of 74, while junior Cooper Kiehl added a 79. The Pelle brothers also had a good tourney as sophomore Ayden and junior Tyler turned in rounds of 85 and 89, respectively.

Malvern kept the good vibes going the next day at the Inter-Valley Conference Preseason Golf Tournament. Held at the par 71 Great Trail Golf Course, placed fifth out of 14 teams with a team score of 332. Indian Valley was the overall winner with a score of 298.

Speaking of Indian Valley, Malvern returned to Great Trail Aug. 12 to face the Braves in an IVC contest. The Hornets struck the ball well but it was not quite enough to unseat Indian Valley.

Five of Malvern’s six golfers posted scores in the 40s, beginning with Kiehl’s 40. Good and Tyler Pelle were right behind as each posted a 41, while Ayden Pelle carded a 42. Solid scores all the way around, but not enough to overcome the Braves’ Deagan Beaber, who shot an even par 35.

Two days later, the Hornets were back at it when they took on Strasburg-Franklin in IVC match play at Great Trail. If golf were poker, Malvern would have had two pair as Good and Ayden Pelle recorded 41s, while Kiehl and Tyler Pelle brought 45s to the table. And it was good enough as the Hornets squeaked by the Tigers 172-174.

Malvern finished an eventful week on August 15 by putting on a hitting display at Wilkshire Golf Course against Tusky Valley, defeating the Trojans handily, 161-185. Ayden Pelle led the charge with a blistering 39, just one stroke ahead of his brother Tyler. Good added a 42 as Malvern improved to 3-1 on the season in match play.