DATE: Friday, October 10, 1997              TAG: 9710100868

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                      LENGTH:   49 lines

THIS FERRIS ENJOYED NOT HAVING THE DAY OFF NORFOLK GOLFER IS LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF PLAYING IN MICHELOB TOURNEY.

He's received a courtesy car, six new clubs, three dozen new balls, a hat and sunglasses, all compliments of tournament officials or equipment reps.

``And to think I shot 74 at Ocean View Saturday and lost $10,'' laughed Norfolk's Troy Ferris, who played his way into the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill by shooting 4-under 68 in a Monday qualifier at nearby Ford's Colony.

Ferris, who shot an opening-round 77, is finding it hard to get over the red-carpet treatment provided PGA Tour players. And he's appreciating every moment.

Carefree almost to a fault, Ferris, 23, has giggled his way through the last few days, trying to keep himself as loose as possible. But he's found it difficult at times.

Before Thursday's round, he was positioned between Payne Stewart and Fuzzy Zoeller on the practice tee, with Tom Kite nearby. When Ferris pulled his driver back and snagged a dividing rope, then badly mishit the shot, he blurted, ``Pardon the pun, but I just hit a rope hook.''

Nobody laughed. Oh, well.

Ferris, however, can't help but laugh. Callaway not only gave him new metal woods to play with, they are also paying him $350 to use them. The same goes for Titleist, who outfitted him with a Scotty Cameron putter and is paying him $500 to use it.

But new clubs for his first PGA tournament? Ferris said the decision was easy. He's getting the best equipment available and on-site club fitters altered it to replicate his own clubs.

He had other kinds of support Thursday. A gallery of friends from Ocean View followed him - with instructions.

``If I hit it outside the ropes, I told them to stick out their chests and bounce it back into the fairway,'' Ferris said. ``This type of golf is a little different. I usually try to keep it in the tree line. Now I'm trying to keep it in the people line.''

Everything has surprised Ferris this week. As he came off the range, a kid handed him an autograph book. It was the first time anyone had asked.

``I signed it and told him, `Thank you,' '' Ferris said. ``He just looked at me and said, `Huh?' '' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot

Troy Ferris, teeing off on No. 10 on Thursday, got a taste of the

red-carpet treatment afforded to the touring pros.

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