David Partridge of Richmond, Va., the 1995 state Amateur champion, shot a 2-under-par 70 and Keith Decker of Fieldale shot 1-under 71, to lead Virginia to win by nine strokes over Florida in the 54-hole USGA Centennial Men's State Team Tournament at Lake Nona Golf Club.

Virginia finished with a three-day total of 8-under 424 while Florida, the leader by two after the first day, finished at 433. Mississippi edged Tennessee by a stroke for third at 434, and New York was fifth, another stroke back at 436. The low two scores of the three-man team counted toward the team's total each day. Forty-seven teams were entered, including Alaska.

Teams six through 11 were North Carolina (437), West Virginia (437), Missouri (440), Connecticut (440), Georgia (440), and Alabama (440).

"We felt comfortable with each other, and knew that if we played well we would be in contention," said Decker, who has two of the seven state Amateur titles between the three team members. Partridge won the state title in 1993, and Tom McKnight, of Galax, who shot the low three-day individual total for the team at 2-under 214, has three state titles.

"We took this seriously," said McKnight. "We wanted to enjoy ourselves and represent the state well. And we did."

"I'll take these guys on my team anytime," added Decker, who finished with a three-day total of 1-under 215. Partridge was at 217 but shot four-under for the last two rounds.

The low individual was Tim Jackson of Germantown, Tenn., at 5-under 211. Jackson was one of eight individual USGA Champions entered. Virginia had the second and third low individuals in McKnight, at 214, and Decker, one stroke behind McKnight at 215.

Florida took the early lead by five strokes over Virginia and Mississippi after the first day when it posted a 5-under total of 139, led by Doug Lacrosse of Tampa, who had a 69.

Virginia rallied to take the lead after two rounds with a 5-under total of 283, five strokes ahead of Florida.

1	Virginia	424
2	Florida	433
3	Mississippi	434
4	Tennessee	435
5	New York	436
6	North Carolina	437
	West Virginia	437
8	Missouri	440
	Connecticut	440
	Georgia	440
	Alabama	440
12	Ohio	441
	New Jersey	441
14	Texas	442
15	Massachusetts	444
16	Rhode Island	445
	Kansas	445
	South Dakota	445
	Michigan	445
	Arkansas	445
21	Nevada	446
	Indiana	446
	Maine	446
24	Minnesota	447
	Iowa	447
	South Carolina	447
27	Idaho	448
	Oregon	448
	California	448
	Nebraska	448
31	Puerto Rico	449
32	Illinois	450
33	New Hampshire	451
34	Washington	453
	Maryland	453
36	Wisconsin	454
37	Hawaii	455
38	North Dakota	457
39	New Mexico	458
	Delaware	458
	Arizona	458
42	Colorado	463
43	Pennsylvania	469
44	Utah	470
45	Louisiana	473
46	Montana	481
47	Alaska	488