THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 12, 1994 TAG: 9410120567
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
If Granby's Jason Copeland ever gets tired of playing golf, he might consider taking up poker.
With this guy's lack of shown emotion, he'd never give his cards away.
Copeland, who cruised to the Eastern District golf title last week, insists he gets pumped up after great shots and frustrated after duds like everyone else. One would just never know it by looking at him.
``I mean, look at him now. He's really excited about this story,'' Granby coach Marty Bechtol said as a stone-faced Copeland looked on. ``He's just always on an even keel.''
This demeanor served Copeland well last week when he rolled to a 13-stroke victory in the Eastern District tournament. The effort was enough to earn the Comets junior The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's athlete of the week award.
It also offered a classic example of Copeland's trademark cool. Other district golfers may be longer off the tee, and some can pull out more spectacular shots. No one, however, can match Copeland for consistency. His best round of the year was a 70. His worst was a 78. And his usual: a par-heavy 73.
``He must have shot about five or six 73s this year,'' Bechtol said.
On the first day of the district tournament, when windy conditions at Ocean View sent the scores of most of the contenders skyrocketing into the 80s, Copeland finished at 3-over par 73. The next day at Stumpy Lake, despite nearly whiffing on the first tee, Copeland played par golf for the final 15 holes and birdied No. 18. No other golfer shot below 80 for the day.
Copeland? Another 73.
``Everyone else has their good days and bad days, but Jason seems to never get in trouble out there,'' Bechtol said.
And on the few occasions when he does misfire, Copeland prides himself on his ability to recover.
``The key is my short game, chipping and putting,'' Copeland said. ``Even when I don't hit the greens, I'm able to still make things happen.''
Copeland is now looking for a strong placing in next week's Eastern Region tournament, not just for himself but for the team. Granby isn't typically thought of as one of the powers in area golf. But Copeland believes this year's Comets, district champions by a whopping 65 strokes, can do a lot to change that perception.
``I'm looking forward to it,'' Copeland said in his typical monotone.
We'll just have to take his word for it. by CNB