THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, July 21, 1994                TAG: 9407210661
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

RASMUSSEN RAISES HIS PLAY TO WIN PAYTON STATE JUNIOR CHAMP GETS A BOOST ON HIS WAY TO HOKIES' GOLF TEAM.

Rob Rasmussen didn't know until the 16th hole that he was even in contention at the Payton Memorial. Maybe being in the dark was best. No buildup of nerves.

``Someone told me I was one back,' Rasmussen said. ``I had no idea I was even close. But I thought if I could finish at even par I might have a chance.''

Rasmussen didn't quite make it. His final round of 2-under-par 67 Wednesday left him at 1-over 139. But it was good enough, as nearest competitors Troy Ferris and Jimmy Flippen could not do what Rasmussen did at the par-4 17th at Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club.

Rasmussen drained an 18-foot birdie there, made par at the par-3 18th, then watched as both Ferris and Flippen ran aground at the 17th.

First Ferris three-putted from 25 feet for bogey, dropping him one off the pace. Then Flippen missed a 12-footer for a birdie and a share of the lead.

Both had birdie attempts of 30 feet at the 18th, but Ferris pulled his putt and Flippen's putt lipped out.

``I was sure Flippen's putt was in,'' said Rasmussen, the reigning state junior champion. ``I was ready to grab my clubs and head to the first tee for a playoff.

``This is the best I've played this summer by a long shot. It's been a struggle this year. Tougher competition. Tougher courses.''

Rasmussen, who recently turned 18, has moved out of the junior age group for most tournaments, joining the adult ranks. But the Payton, begun after the tragic death of 1947 State Open winner George Payton in a car accident that year, allows players 24 and younger.

Rasmussen, who had three birdies and a bogey Wednesday, matched his game against many of the players he will contend against when he begins his college career at Virginia Tech next month.

Flippen is a standout at the University of Virginia, Ferris plays for Campbell University, fourth-place finisher Chris Krueger plays for Old Dominion and fifth-place Curtis Deal, who won the Payton last year, will be a teammate of Rasmussen's at Virginia Tech.

``I played good for a change,'' Rasmussen said. ``I've shot a lot of 75s and 76s this season. Those kinds of rounds don't get you very far.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by RALPH FITZGERALD

Rob Rasmussen nearly holed his chip at No. 18. His two pursuers

missed chances to tie there.

by CNB