‘The job isn’t finished’: Waynedale boys golf eyes state glory after historic season

With the start of the Division II boys golf state tournament at NCR Country Club South Course in Kettering on Oct. 6, Waynedale will make school history. Regardless of the outcome of the two-day event, Jordan Miller, Logan Troyer, Cameron Miller, Hank Miller and Cooper Miller make up the first team in program history to advance to state. That’s saying a lot when thinking of legends like Grant Weaver, Deegan Bee, Dylan Ledford, Jason Nussbaum, Steve Sprunger, Mark Speaks and more recently, Ean Miller, to name a few.

“The best part about doing this is that we have all the past alumni rooting for us and knowing that it just means the world,” said Hank. “Waynedale golf has always been a huge part of my life. My brother Ean played on the team right before I got my chance. To make history is incredible.”

“Being part of the first team means everything to me,” added Jordan. “We’ve put so much time and effort into getting to state, so to actually be the first team to make it is incredible. With all the phenomenal players in the past and the tradition we have in the sport, it’s definitely a big accomplishment.”

And the key to this historical run — family, resilience and brotherhood — is that the team is close, has weathered some storms and is standing side by side.

“These guys aren’t just golf teammates to me,” said Jordan. “When not golfing, we’re out getting something to eat or hanging out at each other’s houses. This group is special, and I’m really going to miss it after the state tournament, so to have this team playing on the last day of the season, that’s amazing.”

“My favorite part about this season definitely has to be the team,” said Hank. “I mean, it's not a team to me. It's a family. All the way from coach (Melinda) Budd and (Tim) Ebert to each player, I couldn't ask for a better family. Getting to play with my younger cousin this season as a senior has meant so much to me. Heading to state, I'm going to make sure to enjoy every second and compete to the best of my ability.”

Along the road, it’s taken some great moments from each golfer. As Budd has said multiple times, "The gift of this team is that anyone can step up on any day."

Such was the case at districts, when Troyer sank an eagle on the 422-yard No. 15 from about 140 yards out.

“The goal was just to get it on the green and get a putt for birdie,” said Troyer. “But then, it slowly started tracking right to the pin, rolled a bit and then the ball just disappeared. I didn’t think it went in at first, but people started celebrating, and that’s when I knew I made it.

“I wasn’t playing the best until that point, and that hole really changed my round that day.”

Troyer finished with an 80 that day, making the ride home all the more enjoyable.

“That ride home was great,” he said. “Since we all had the same goals, we knew that we were going to have a good time on the way home if we made it since we worked hard to make it.”

It’s that sheer ability to rise above that led Troyer to use the word resilience to describe the team. It hit home as it was echoed in not-so-many words by Hank.

“This season has been a huge roller coaster,” he said. “I've had a lot of ups and downs and have really struggled to find my footing in a lot of rounds. However, even though I've had some lows, I wouldn't trade it for the world because this season, this journey has meant everything to me. I couldn't be more thankful for my team always having my back, picking me up when I need it, and I can't wait to see how we can bring this season to a close.”

Next up is the state tourney, and this group couldn’t be more excited despite the pressure that comes with it.

“I'm definitely excited for this, and I can't wait to make some more history,” said Hank. “Pressure is always there, no matter what the stage. One thing that’s really helped me handle the pressure is right before my first tee shot, I say a prayer and calm my breathing. This really helps me slow everything down, reminds me that I’m out there to have fun. When everything speeds up, I take that moment to breathe and say a prayer.”

“When I step on that first tee box, I will soak it in and appreciate what it means to be part of the first Waynedale team to make it to state,” said Jordan. “But after that, it’s time to go to work. For how much hard work and extra hours we’ve put in, I know we deserve to be on that golf course.”

"The best trait of this team is not quitting whenever a round is going bad but also taking advantage of every opportunity that we have," Troyer said.

The Golden Bears will have to do just that over the next two days, as they seek to finish the season by making one more dream a reality and chalk the final goal off their board.

“The job isn’t finished,” said Jordan. “We’ve set goals and accomplished about every one of them except this one. Coach Budd has pushed us to get to this point, and I know we have just as good of a chance as anybody to win it. From the start of the year, I knew getting here was definitely a possibility, and now that we’ve actually done it, I guess there’s just one thing left to do.”