DATE: Wednesday, September 10, 1997         TAG: 9709100719

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER   

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   55 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** Cox golfer Ryan Garland was misidentified in a photo caption Wednesday. Correction published Thursday, September 11, 1997 on page C3 of THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT. ***************************************************************** FALCONS' SHORT PANTS RAISE SHORTER TEMPERS FOR COX GOLF TEAM, KNICKERS HAVE DRAWN SOME ATTENTION, GOOD AND BAD.

Members of the Cox High golf team knew they'd get snickers about their knickers.

But they had no idea they'd actually draw the ire of some opponents.

Dressed like PGA Tour professional Payne Stewart in knickers and Ben Hogan-type hats, the Falcons have heard it all. Arrogant. . .stuck up. .

``They look kind of goofy,'' Bayside freshman Jonathan Halvorson said before facing Cox Tuesday at Red Wing. ``But they can wear them because they're Cox. They've earned the right to wear whatever they want.''

Good point.

The Falcons are the dominating force in the Eastern Region, winning the last six titles and finishing second in the state four of those years. Cox golfers also won a couple of individual state titles in that period.

But not just anyone could get away with wearing knickers - which for the Falcons are simply a pair of altered Dockers khaki pants. It took some guts to decide to do it.

``We're not trying to make any kind of statement,'' said Ryan Roebuck, a team captain, who, along with Ryan Garland, brought up the idea for the new attire.

``It's just something fun to do. Lots of people like it.''

But some don't. According to the two captains, one match almost turned ugly because of some statements made about the outfits by an opposing player's parent.

``It's our senior year and we wanted to do something to catch peoples' eyes,'' said Garland. ``But I guess some people think we're trying to be hot shots.

``I'm really surprised at some of the negativism.'' ILLUSTRATION: D. KEVIN ELIOTT/The Virginian-Pilot

``They look kind of goofy,'' Bayside's Jonathan Halvorson said of

the Cox players' attire. ``But they can wear them because they're

Cox''.

Russ Garland said the idea wasn't to show off, just have fun.

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