DATE: Wednesday, October 22, 1997           TAG: 9710220740

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAY LIDINGTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CLIFFORD                          LENGTH:   41 lines

MILLS GODWIN RETAINS AAA GOLF TITLE; COX IS 4TH THE FALCONS' RYAN ROEBUCK TOPPED HAMPTON ROADS' PARTICIPANTS WITH A 7-OVER-PAR 149.

Cox's knickers came out and their scores came down Tuesday in the final round of the Virginia Group AAA Golf Tournament.

But if their shrinking inseams helped matters any, perhaps shorts might not have even been enough. The Falcons finished the tournament in fourth place with a 623-stroke total.

Mills Godwin, the defending state team champion, retained its title with a 611.

``I thought we might do better today,'' said Cox coach Stuart Holland, whose team was tied for third and nine strokes out of first place after Monday's team competition.

Steve Marino of W.T. Woodson was the tournament medalist with a 1-under-par 141. Ryan Roebuck of Cox led Hampton Roads' participants with a 7-over-par 149.

Though Cox was one stroke better in Monday's opening round (311) than Tuesday (312), several players shaved strokes from their games after donning the team's trademark khaki knickers, turtleneck shirts and black caps for Tuesday's round.

``My short game hurt yesterday and I had a little of it back today,'' said the Falcons' Tripp Bartholomew, who rebounded with an 81 after Monday's 84.

``Yesterday the ground was moist and the ball didn't fly real well. Today, it was easier to fly the ball a long distance.''

A young Great Bridge team made a successful debut in this state tournament, finishing tied for sixth with a 650.

The Wildcats, with one junior, four sophomores and a freshman, filed away their experiences at the tournament and plotted their return.

``It was good we got up here and got a taste of it,'' said Pat McDuff, who shot 80-80-160. ``We saw there are a lot of good players outside of the region.'' MEMO: Teams scores, area finishers, For The Record, C7.

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