THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610080172
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 48 lines
Granby golfer Gary Crutcher has been happy with the achievements of his team the past three years.
He's finally satisfied with himself.
Granby swept both the regular-season and the Eastern District tournament the past two years. In 1994 the Comets' Jason Copeland won medalist honors in the district. Last year the individual champ was Granby's Cameron Tenney.
Copeland was among the top finishers both years, placing in a tie for second a year ago.
Last week, while Granby was registering its third district tourney championship following an unbeaten regular season in the Eastern, Crutcher was finally attaining his personal goal.
He won medalist honors with 79-84 - 163, two shots in front of Maury's J.R. Lockery and Churchland's Robbie Floyd.
``I didn't play as well as I did last year,'' said Crutcher, a senior. ``But I came up a little short then.
``This time I knew I needed a par on the last hole to win, and I had a birdie. That was very satisfying.''
Crutcher left his approach shot just 2 feet from the pin and dropped the putt dead center.
``We dedicated our team win to Robert Boyd,'' added Crutcher. ``He tore up his knee in a car wreck and won't be able to play any more this year.''
Boyd, the Comets' No. 4 golfer, was fourth in last year's district meet.
``Losing Boyd certainly weakens our team,'' said Granby coach Marty Bechtol. ``But our players knew what it meant. We were a man short and I think it rallied our team a little, too.''
The Comets grabbed four of the top 10 spots. Matt Hahne, who was fifth a year ago, and Bryan Knight, who was ninth last year, tied for fourth at 167. Bill Hussey tied for ninth with 177. Hussey is only a freshman.
Hahne was displeased with his 84 at Ocean View and spent that evening at the practice range. He came back the next day with an 83 on the tougher Sleepy Hole course.
Churchland and Booker T. Washington will join Granby as the Eastern representatives in the regional Oct. 15-16. The Truckers took second with 699 and the Bookers were third with 741, edging Maury by one shot.
Jonathan Elliott paced Booker T. with 84-85 - 169. Four other Norfolk players qualified for the regional on non-qualifying teams. Norview will Paul McMillian (172) and Chris Smith (180). Maury qualified Lockery and Casey O'Hearn (177).
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL GOLF by CNB