Moraine Valley golf battles to third place in ultra-competitive Skyway season, eyes regionals next

Competition was fierce this fall for Moraine Valley Community College golf as they hit the links with finesse to finish third in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference.

In every match, the players improved their game or figured out a different way to find success. It wasn’t easy against a highly talented conference, however.

“I think we did really well overall, but this year’s competition was stupid good,” said Head Coach Matt Lovelace.

It came down to the final conference match of the season when the Cyclones missed second to Waubonsee Community College by less than one stroke. “We just needed one putt. It came that close,” Lovelace explained.

Freshman Joey Charleston (Chicago Christian) finished eighth overall in the Skyway by averaging a 77 this fall while sophomore Matt Pawyza (Lockport) took 10th after averaging 79.75 for All-Conference honors. Freshman Fionn Gormley (Tinley Park) shot an 81 in the last match, which was his lowest score this fall. “In early matches, he was nervous and was thinking too much. He really stepped up in the last one. We would’ve gotten fourth place without him,” Lovelace added.

Every season, the results often come down to one or fewer strokes. “I think this was one of our best years yet, but we just got beat,” Lovelace said.

The Cyclones have all winter to train indoors and outdoors for the NJCAA Region 4 Championship in April. “Everyone is looking forward to a little break now to catch up before we practice all winter,” Lovelace said. “I’m looking forward to regionals. Before then, we’ll clean up our game a little bit.”

For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.