Golf: Larry Johnson tournament notebook

>> EXPERIENCE MATTERS: A few solid golfers were part of the winning group at the fourth annual Larry Johnson Celebrity Golf Tournament on Thursday at Odessa Country Club's The Links Course.

Doug Bryant, a former Mission Dorado club professional, and Zach Stokes, a soon-to-be sophomore for the OC golf team, were on Team 9, which ended with a 53 and won a tiebreaker over Team 13.

Johnson's Team 6 finished third with a 56, while Permian graduate and Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams' Team 4 was tied for ninth after shooting a 61.

Not such a good day for television journalists: Stuart Webber of NewsWest 9 and Jessica Hart of KMID-2 pitched in for Team 19's 63, tied for 14th in the 21-team field.

>> SUPER FAN: Three years ago, Patrick Copeland finally met his hero, Johnson, at the golf tournament.

Since Copeland was 10 years old, he's built a large collection of Johnson memorabilia.

"I grew up in a real poor home, both parents were alcoholics," Copeland said. "Larry was kind of a positive outlet, really. I focused on him to have something positive in my life."

Johnson and Copeland are now friends. Copeland didn't play Thursday. He got a private session with Johnson on Wednesday.

Copeland, who is an offensive guard for the Indiana Mustangs of the Mid Continental Football League in Noblesville, Ind., has a room full of Johnson's items, including a bottle of champagne from his wedding.    

"Every year he'll be here I'll be here as well," Copeland said. "I try to bring stuff, too. Game-worn shoes, OC jerseys, a signed putter. Just to raise money for you guys here."

>> ROY'S WORLD: Williams has been to all four of these tournaments.

Part of it is paying Johnson back.

"When I was in seventh grade, Larry gave me a pair of 15s (shoes) because they didn't have them in Odessa," Williams said.

Williams' team ended up tied for ninth. Maybe he would have done better at another course.

"My home course really is Ratliff Ranch (Golf Links), which is funny because I played at Ratliff Stadium," Williams said. "My strength is my driving and my weakness is my putting. I'm too strong to putt."

>>  MISS TEXAS USA: Probably the second-most popular golfer Thursday, after Johnson, was Miss Texas USA Brooke Daniels.

It probably wasn't because of her skills.

Asked how often she golfs, Daniels said, "Never. My dad golfs and I'll ride around with him. I like being on the golf course, but not necessarily golfing."

Still, Daniels' team ended up tied for 14th place, the same as the aforementioned television journalists.

It was Daniels' first time in Odessa. She said she liked it.

"It's nice," Daniels said. "It's more than I expected. My cousin actually lives here. She's been wanting me to come and she's out of town this week."

TOURNAMENT RESULTS 

Thursday

At Odessa Country Club's Links Course

Team 9 (53): Jerry Dugan, Jessica Varner, Ron Davis, Zach Stokes, Doug Bryant.

Team 13 (53): Joe Tubb, Mike Stahl, Rod Roberts, T. Alan White, Jim Rose.

Team 6 (56): Larry Johnson, Scott Thane, Stephen Hill, Tim Peden, Jeremy Denmam.

Team 1 (57): Bob Snoddy, Skeet Glover, Tom Snoddy, Gary Childs, Daniel Justis.

Team 15 (58): Paul Chavez, Mike Marshall, Andy Espinosa, Tom Bryford, Griff Jones.

Team 20 (58): Jimmy Connor, Pete Garner, Marshall Nelson, Greg Burnett, Barry Wright.

Team 7 (59): Matt Mays, Gary Garner, Gary Weatherford, Calvin Jackson, Donnie Riley.

Team 18 (60): Ron Black, David Dunn, Gary Barns, Virgil Trower, Dr. Mike Simmons.

Team 4 (61): Roy Williams, Travis Fisher, Tommy Clifton, Kerry Fisher, Landry Fisher.

Team 10 (61): Bo Outlaw, Joe Clark, Rick Coe, Dave La Couture, Carl Crowder.

Team 11 (61): Ron Mayberry, Joe Allbright, Ed Thomas, Lonnie Crow, Robert Simmons.

Team 14 (61): Shaud Williams, Dan Brazelton, David Nix, Frank Eaton, Kevin Laman.

Team 3 (62): Sammy Freeman, Keith Little, Mark Scott, Ray Elliott, Leo Hinojos.

Team 2 (63): Dennis Geraghty, Tony Hooper, Larry Hooper, Tommy Sheppard, Michael S. Hopper.

Team 12 (63): Brooke Daniels, Monnie Sparkman, John Sparkman, Freddy King, Tony Bruton.

Team 16 (63): Anthony Sullen, Clark Dickson, Charles Carlson, Phil Fouche, Mike Cooper.

Team 17 (63): Sheldon Collins, Ricky Cole, Todd Akins, Mark Clifton, Riley Smith.

Team 19 (63): Orlando Ontiveroz, Jay Hendricks, Mr. Coody, Jessica Hart, Stuart Webber.

Team 21 (64): Chris Woolard, Wade Havens, Ryan Havens, Randy Willey, Lin Warren.

Team 5 (66): Troy Bell, Robert White, Carl Brown, Mark Mehaffey, Shanti Neerukonda.

Team 8 (66): Ozel Martin, Taylor Warren, Jeremy Hoose, Todd Brooks, Steven Herriage.