THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 7, 1995 TAG: 9509020182
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
THE EASTERN DISTRICT golf race will be quite interesting this year.
That is, the race for second place.
Granby stands a lot of birdies and pars ahead of the other four teams.
Marty Bechtol, starting his second season at the helm of the Comets, says the key to his team's success will be its play outside the district.
He admits the Comets should match last year's unblemished record in the district again. Prior to tournament play last season, Granby compiled an 11-0 overall mark.
Already this year the Comets have a couple of tournament titles under their belts - the Newport News Invitational and the Norfolk tourney at Ocean View.
The Comets had a team score of 305 in a lopsided 61-shot edge over the runner-up in the Norfolk tournament.
In a match with Bayside of the Beach District, Granby lost by only three shots.
A capsule look at the five district teams in predicted order of finish:
GRANBY
The Comets are led by returning district medalist Jason Copeland, a senior. Gary Crutcher, a junior and heir apparent to the title when Copeland graduates, plays No. 2. Crutcher was runner-up in last year's district tournament and was an eighth-place finisher in the region. Both Copeland and Crutcher shot 74s at Ocean View recently.
Also back in the Comets' lineup is Cameron Tenney, a senior. Tenney was third in last year's Eastern meet.
The only other letterman, junior Bryan Knight, probably will be in the sixth slot this season.
Matthew Hahn, a junior, and sophomore Robert Boyd, likely will be the other starters. Both were on the squad last year. Hahn toured the Ocean View course in 75.
NORVIEW
The Pilots likely will be the best of the rest of the teams. David Hayes returns as Norview's skipper after a 6-9 season, which included six Eastern victories.
Hayes expects Norview ``will have one of its best teams in years.''
Paul McMillian, a junior who was the team's MVP last year, heads four returning players. Also back are Matt Goodwin and Chris Smith, both juniors, and sophomore Nick Beane.
``McMillian is much improved over last year,'' pointed out Hayes.
Smith tied for 10th in last year's district meet.
MAURY
Veteran coach Jerry Sazio wasn't sure he was in the right place when he gathered with his players for the first time this season.
His entire team from 1994 has departed, primarily via graduation. The Commodores had four of the top 10 players in last year's district tournament and lost only to champion Granby in league play.
Overall Maury was 4-6.
But the only familiar face in the crowd this year is Christopher Midgett, a senior who was the No. 10 player last season. There are no lettermen on the squad.
Newcomers who are expected to fill starting positions are junior Michael Allain, senior Aaron Katrancha, freshman Jeffrey Powers and soiphomore Matt Newbold.
Sazio is hopeful tennis standout Rob Brown will be a candidate. He is considering playing golf.
LAKE TAYLOR
Kirkie Harrison says it will be a task for his Titans to break 400. And that will make matching last year's fourth-place finish in the district about the best Lake Taylor can expect.
Four lettermen are back - John Cachero, Glen Caron, Jon Harris and Chris Schopen.
Nick Brock is the most promising newcomer.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
The Bookers have only one letterman, junior David Walton, who likely will play No. 1.
``We have seven or eight out but it's a building year,'' said coach Steve Gray.
The newcomers include Jonathan Elliott and brothers Robby and John Subasavage.
Elsewhere, Cox is the premier team in the Beach District and Great Bridge, Churchland and Western Branch figure to battle it out in the Southeastern. ILLUSTRATION: EASTERN DISTRICT GOLF PREVIEW
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Granby's top golfers are senior Jason Copeland, left, the returning
Eastern District medalist, and junior Gary Crutcher, right, the
district runner-up last year.
by CNB