THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610030184
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORT EDITOR
LENGTH: 61 lines
MAYBE NEXT YEAR, says Churchland golf coach Duke Conrad.
And when you're No. 2, you just try harder.
Last year Churchland was runner-up to Great Bridge in the Southeastern District. This year the Truckers moved into the Eastern District. But, once again, Churchland is the bridesmaid.
Granby won its third straight Eastern tourney crown with a 36-hole 674 Tuesday at Sleepy Hole. Churchland was runner-up with 338-361--699.
With a junior, sophomore and freshman in the starting lineup, Conrad has high hopes for next season. But he still believes his Truckers can do better this year as they head into the Eastern Regional.
``Actually I thought we might give Granby a battle this time even though we were 15 shots behind after the first round,'' said Conrad. ``I was a little disappointed. I thought we had a chance to beat them at Sleepy Hole.''
Churchland had impressive play from junior Robbie Floyd, who finished in a tie for second place with Maury's J. R. Lockery. Granby's Gary Crutcher won medalist honors with 79-84--163.
Floyd, a third-year player at Churchland who alternated between No. 3 and No. 5 last year, shot 80-85--165.
The Truckers' Bobby Byrne, one of three seniors on the squad, finished in a tie for fourth with Granby's Matt Hahne and Bryan Knight.
With the second-place finish, Churchland joins Granby and third-place Booker T. Washington in the Eastern Regional. The Bookers edged Maury (742) by one stroke for third.
One other Portsmouth player qualified for the regional. Wilson's Eric Coltrain had 90-98-188 for 12th place. He was one of five players on non-qualifying teams who advance to the regional.
The regional will be at Williamsburg Country Club on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and at Sleepy Hole on Oct. 16.
Churchland and Maury tied for second place in the regular season and will play off for runner-up honors behind the Comets in a rescheduled match sometime next week.
TOURNEY NOTES - The Southeastern District tourney was held simultaneously with the Eastern and Nansemond River was the winner over regular-season champ Great Bridge. Western Branch finished third and gained the Southeastern's final regional berth. . . . Coaches were unhappy with tough pin placement, especially at the 18th where only five players in both tournaments managed a par. Nobody had a birdie there. The average score was an 8 with several 10s, 11s and 12s. ``We should not be determining region berths by luck,'' fumed Western Branch coach Wayne Peterson. ``Actually a 7 was a good score on the 18th.'' . . . Crutcher wrapped up medalist honors with a ninth-hole birdie after a fine approach shot left him with a 2-foot putt. ``I didn't play as well as I did in finishing second a year ago,'' he said. . . . Granby dedicated its win to Robert Boyd, who was injured in a car wreck on Friday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Churchland's Bobby Byrne finished in a tie for fourth place.
Granby's Brian Knight was one of three players to tie for fourth
place.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL GOLF by CNB