THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994            TAG: 9409030208
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS          PAGE: 23   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

GRANBY LIKELY TO DOMINATE EASTERN DISTRICT

The stiffest golf competition in the Eastern District should occur within Granby's team.

``We're loaded,'' new coach Marty Bechtol said. ``We should be dominant.''

The Comets tied for second in the First Colonial Invitational and placed third in the Newport News Invitational.

Granby returns its top six players, four of whom placed in the top 11 in the district tournament.

Best of the bunch is junior Jason Copelan. He shot a 77 recently at Bow Creek.

``He's our most consistent golfer,'' Bechtol said.

Greg Crutcher, a sophomore, is longer off the tee than Copelan and capable of the occasional great round. He shot a 78 the same day Copelan scored his 77.

Cameron Tenny and Ryan McFadden complete the Big Four. McFadden shoots in the low-to-mid 80s and Tenny was the medalist in Wednesday's match against Churchland with a 76.

Defending champion Maury should grab the district's second Eastern Region berth. The Commodores, led by state individual champion Conlin Giles, swept three top three places in last year's district tournament.

But Giles and Mike Warren were seniors and Chas Kirkwood transferred to a private school out of the area, coach Jerry Sazio said.

The Commodores' best golfer is senor Richard Brassfield. He placed seventh in the district last year and shoots in the mid-80s.

Timmy Goldin, 10th in the district, David Nowitzky and David Sokol can shoot in the 80s, as well.

``I'm hurting,'' Sazio said. ``Granby should win the district, hands down.''

The rest of the district will struggle for respectability.

Lake Taylor, third in the district last year 83 strokes behind Maury, has only one golfer who has broken 100 in practice. Kent Rhodes, the only returning team member, averages in the 90s.

Norview already is showing improvement under new coach David Hayes. The Pilots, who didn't break 400 last season, shot a 399 last week against Oscar Smith. Paul McMillen, a sophomore, has a best round of 88.

Booker T. Washington is rebuilding. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN

Jason Copeland, Gary Crutcher and Cameron Tenny, left to right, at

Ocean View Golf Course pause from practice.

by CNB