Miller’s hard work pays off in WCAL golf championship

Jordan Miller is a student of the game — and the numbers don’t lie.

After being one of Waynedale’s top players as a freshman, the current sophomore has become one of the top players in the area — highlighted by taking medalist honors at the recent Wayne County Athletic League Championships.

Like most golfers, Miller’s success comes down to all the extra hours on the range and working with his swing coach to fine-tune his game.

And the results have been impressive as his 18-hole average has improved by nearly nine strokes. His nine-hole average is better by three shots, and improvements on the greens and off the tee have helped him to four top five finishes in invitationals including a 1-over-par 72 at Riceland Golf Course to take the WCAL title on Sept. 21.

In all he’s had five rounds under in the 70s after not breaking 80 in the 2022 season.

“The numbers show the real story that he is continuing to improve,” Golden Bears coach Melinda Budd said. “Jordan has worked on his swing through lessons, practice and new equipment. He enjoys researching the game and the approach to hit different shots.”

Miller’s leadership is one of several reasons why Waynedale earned the overall county championship with 16 points over Smithville (15). Sophomores Hank Miller and Brayden Schlabach also have had an impact, along with senior Mark Yoder and freshman Hudson Barkman — all of which are within a shot of each other for nine-hole average this season.

With so many underclassmen having an impact, the future is definitely bright for the Bears.

“All season long we’ve discussed how much of a luxury it is to have six or even eight players we can use in our lineup,” Budd said. “They are all capable of shooting mid-to-low 40s, and that takes the pressure off of all the players to just play smart and solid golf.

“It’s OK if you make a mistake. Just fight to get back on track. This season everyone has contributed to scoring and to the WCAL title.”

It was an early-season, 10-stroke victory over Smithville that helped the Golden Bears capture the program’s 14th county championship.

Since that loss, the Smithies have been one of the top teams in the area as they beat Waynedale by a single shot in the second dual-match meeting of the year and then defeated them at the WCAL Championships on Sept. 21 (316-328).

Hunter Pertee (75 at WCAL) and Gavin VonAlmen (78) have been a tough tandem for Smithville as both are among local leaders in 18-hole average — Pertee with a 78 and VonAlmen 77.4.

A key for the Smithies, however, has been the play of Owen Ward. The freshman went through some midseason struggles and has since been a key complement to the Pertee-VonAlmen punch atop the lineup.

Dalton, under the direction of first-year coach Isaac Haver, was third at the WCAL Championships with a 340. Zach Brahler, one of two players back from last season’s state-qualifying team with Isaac Mori, has been the Bulldogs’ leader all season long.

Brahler fired an 80 at the county tournament, including a 37 on the front nine, at Riceland, with Thad Weaver (84) and Mori (86) also posting strong rounds.