Courtesy of 160 Over 90
Former North Carolina Central men’s golfer Zane Lewis (2014-18) is one step away from qualifying for the 2021 U.S. Open, which will be played at Torrey Pines Golf Club in San Diego June 17-20. Lewis was among more 9,000 golfers in the U.S. who participated in local qualifying events in April and May seeking to advance to sectional qualifying. Playing at the Duke University Golf Course, a course he is very familiar with from his days in Durham, N.C., Lewis fired a 71 to tie for first and become one of only five golfers out of a field of 84 to earn a spot in sectional qualifying on June 7. The top 10 aggregate point earners from those 11 events, who are otherwise not exempt, will earn a place in the U.S. Open field.
Lewis had an illustrious collegiate career at NCCU. He finished with the school’s second-best career scoring average of 76.15 in his four seasons, achieving nine top-10 finishes and three top-5 performances. As a senior, he recorded the NCCU’s second-best single-season scoring record with an average of 74.28 strokes per round.
As Lewis prepares for his 36-hole event in sectional qualifying, he took some time with the MEAC to discuss his preparation, what it would mean to play in the U.S. Open and his time as a student-athlete at NCCU.
ZANE LEWIS Q&A
How nervous were you in the local qualifying round heading to the 18th hole when you knew you were in contention to advance?
- Honestly, I was more nervous standing over my 3-foot putt for par on 17 to stay even. At the time I didn’t actually know it was to be a co-medalist and put me in a position to qualify for the sectional qualifier.
What’s your mindset and how are you preparing as you head to sectional qualifying and the chance to make the U.S. Open field?
- I am playing in as many events as possible and trying to stay busy working on my game and staying ready.
What would it mean to you to be able to play in the U.S. Open?
- It would be life changing. End of story, ha ha.
Who or what has inspired you to pursue a career in golf?
- I’ve been around golf my entire life but I chose to focus on baseball when I was younger. I had a very good opportunity early on to take up golf with my dad part owning a golf course, so I felt I had to take advantage of that and the access it provided me to the game.
Can you describe your experience attending NCCU? In the classroom? On the golf course?
- NCCU was a very good experience for me. Everyone was very nice and I knew a lot of people at the school. My teachers would work with my golf schedule and understood how time consuming both golf and school could be. To travel with a Division I team and play some very good courses and tournaments – that’s all you could ask for – and it was an awesome opportunity that helped get me where I am today.
What made you choose NCCU? What stood out to you the most during the recruiting process vs. other schools?
- NCCU was the first Division I offer I got to play golf, and I took it. It sounds pretty simple but that’s it.
What was it like juggling a full-time job, the NCCU golf team, and pursuing a professional golf career all at the same time?
- Both my job colleagues and my teachers and coaches knew how crazy and overwhelming it could all be. But they all understand the demands student-athletes face and had their ways of taking off the load a little bit and being flexible with my schedule.
What are some of your favorite memories while competing on the NCCU Golf team and what did it mean to you to break the 10-year-old NCCU record for the low round at the Donald Ross Intercollegiate?
- Obviously, that would be one of the top ones for sure. It was also one of my first times breaking par in a college tournament and to do it like that was really fun. Traveling to the PGA Minority in Port St. Lucie, Florida and getting to experience the business expo, dinners, celebrity host speakers and top notch golfing facilities was always a fun trip.
Are there any professional golfers or athletes you look up to the most? Who would you be most excited to be paired with if you qualify for the U.S. Open?
- Tiger has to be at the top because he has dominated the game like no one ever has. The way he plays the game is just on another level. Unfortunately, he is out for the U.S. Open this year, but I wouldn’t mind playing with just about any of the top players in the field. They are all wizards of the game and I can learn something from any of them.