THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 23, 1995 TAG: 9510230113
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: GAINESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Cox coach Stuart Holland has cautioned his players about the value of a single stroke as his Falcons go after the Group AAA state golf championship today and Tuesday.
The eight-team, 36-hole battle between regional champions and runners-up commences at 10 a.m. over the new, par-71 Virginia Oaks Golf Course.
Cox and Granby carry the Eastern Region banner. The Comets are the first Norfolk team to qualify for the tournament under the present region format.
Granby won state crowns in 1952 and 1969. The Comets were runners-up in 1966.
This is Holland's fifth year at the helm of the Falcons and the fifth consecutive state tournament appearance for Cox.
Cox had three second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
Cox won the 1990 state title and qualified one other time - in 1968.
``Mills Godwin beat us last year by one shot,'' recalled Holland.
``A couple of years ago we were three shots behind and finished third. Madison won and Great Bridge was one stroke in front of us.
``One year we won the regional and Great Bridge beat out First Colonial by one shot for our second spot in the state. And Great Bridge went on to walk away with the state tournament.
``So one shot can make all the difference in the world at this level.''
Cox's Matt Paulson is defending his individual state championship. He posted rounds of 71 and 73 at The Hamptons last year. And that was a one-shot victory. He edged James Madison's Chad Moseley.
After a splendid regular-season, Paulson faltered in the Beach District tournament and finished 15 shots behind winner Kevin Miller of Salem.
Paulson had 77-79-156 in the regional and wouldn't be here defending his title if Cox had not won the tournament. The low qualifying score for players on non-qualifying teams was 155.
All six Cox players are capable of scoring in the 70s. The squad also includes Troy Cummings, Ryan Marks, Ryan Roebuck, Darren Alexander and Kevin Murphy.
Granby goes with Gary Crutcher, Jason Copeland, Cameron Tenney, Matt Hahne, Robert Boyd and Bryan Knight. Tenney won the Eastern District title and Crutcher was one of four players tied for second in the regional.
``This may be the best Granby team since that 1969 championship team,'' said Comets coach Marty Bechtol.
The six individual players from the Eastern are Miller, Churchland's Robert Davis, First Colonial's Brian Horan, Bayside's Ryan Garland and Kellam's Adam Dixon and Adam Nielsen.
Dixon was the Eastern Regional medalist with 73-74-147.
Defending champion and Central Region titlist Mills Godwin is regarded as the team to beat. The Eagles won their region tourney by 47 shots over second-place Clover Hill.
REGION GIRLS TENNIS: Defending champion Mily Kannarkat of First Colonial takes on Scottie Howard of Lafayette when the Eastern Region girls tennis singles and doubles tournament gets under way at 8:45 at First Colonial High.
Other first-round singles match-ups: Maury's Jennifer Warren vs. Western Branch's Erica Villaros; Indian River's Helena Carvalho vs. Granby's Nicole Bland and Tallwood's Leslie Beach vs. Warwick's Brooke Reid.
The semifinals begin at 11:30 a.m., with first-round doubles play set for 2 p.m. The doubles semi-finals and final and singles final will be played Tuesday at Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center. by CNB