OLIVESBURG — How long have Bryce Lutz, Michael Staniford and Ben Olewiler been playing golf together?
It depends on which of Crestview’s three-time state-qualifying seniors you ask.
Each measures the passage of time a little differently.
For Lutz, time is determined in feet and inches.
“We’ve been playing together since Ben was shorter than me,” the 5-foot-11 Lutz said of his 6-foot-6 teammate. “I’ve grown maybe five inches since then and he’s grown a foot-and-a-half.”
For Staniford, time is measured by photos in a scrapbook.
“I have seven or eight team photos of the golf team,” Staniford said, “and the three of us are in all of them.”
Added Olewiler, “we’ve played together for just about as long as I can remember.”
Crestview’s terrific trio will tee it up one final time at this week’s Division III state meet at North Star Golf Resort in Sunbury. The Cougars are making their third consecutive appearance after winning it all in 2012 and placing third last fall.
“Bryce, Ben and Michael have been friends for life. We started them out on Paradise Hills, a nice par 3 course for kids to start on,” Crestview coach and Ben’s father, Bob Olewiler said. “When they were just knee-high to me they were all out there with the varsity team.
“To see it culminate like this … it’s been a whole lot of fun.”
The Cougars will return to the site of their greatest achievement for Friday and Saturday’s 36-hole event. Crestview won its 2012 state title at North Star.
“When we played there two years ago, it was like no tournament any of us had ever played in before,” Staniford said. “I wouldn’t say it was overwhelming, but it was nerve-racking to be sure. You’re standing up there and it’s your first tee shot at state and you’re saying to yourself, ‘Please let it be straight.’ If I remember right, I ripped that first one.”
Staniford shot a two-day total of 191 in 2012. Lutz carded a 153 to tie for fifth and earn a spot on the All-Ohio first team. Olewiler fired a 159, good for a tie for ninth and a spot on the All-Ohio second team.
“We all know this course well,” Ben Olewiler said. “We’ve had some success there, which gives us confidence.”
The Division III state tournament shifted venues to the rugged Ohio State Scarlet Course last fall, where the Cougars shot a 665. Crestview finished behind Ottawa Hills (647) and Gahanna Columbus Academy (659). Olewiler again shot a 159 to tie for 10th, while Lutz tied for 12th at 163 and Staniford carded a 188.
The margin for error shrank considerably this fall after Josh Brooks, Crestview’s No. 1 player the past two years, was lost to graduation. Returning to state wasn’t guaranteed.
The Cougars left no doubt, however, with a second-place showing at last week’s district tournament at Stone Ridge in Bowling Green. Olewiler shot a 1 over 73 to take runner-up honors.
“The district tournament was really stressfull for me. I think that is why I played so poorly,” said Lutz, who shot an 80. “Once we knew we were getting through, it was like a huge weight was lifted off our shoulders.”
Crestview’s district score is the sixth best among the 12 state qualifying teams. Still, the Cougars aren’t ruling anything out.
“We’re in the middle of the pack,” Ben Olewiler said. “We know it’s going to be tough to win, but we’re hoping to play our best and see what happens.”
No matter what happens, Crestview’s three seniors will walk off the course for the final time together Saturday afternoon.
“It’s going to be a little emotional,” Staniford said. “We’ve been doing this together for so long and it’s going to be strange to finally realize that we won’t get to do it again.
“At the same time, it’s neat to know our last time around is going to be at state. We’ve went as far as we could go three years in a row. It’s bittersweet.”
“To see it culminate like this … it’s been a whole lot of fun,” Bob Olewiler.
