July 15, 2021 | By Keith Jarrett
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The lead is four shots for Zane Lewis, a comfortable margin if not for the resumes of his closest pursuers.
The 24-year-old from Sanford shot 7-under 65 for a second straight day to maintain the pro division lead Wednesday at the 61st Skyview Open Pro/Am Golf Tournament presented by Callaway at Asheville Golf Course.
Four shots back at 10-under 134 are eight-time Skyview champion Greg Parker of Marion and Asheville’s Noah Ratner, who won the 2015 and ‘16 titles and finished second to Parker the last two times the event was played, in 2018 and ‘19.
Thomas Padgett of Charlotte (66-68-134) and Skip Taylor of Flat Rock (68-66-134) are also tied for second with Parker and Ratner.
Lewis admitted to feeling a little lucky after making eagles on two par-4s in his second round – he drilled a 40-foot putt after driving the third hole and chipped in from the rough from 42 yards on No. 12.
“I four-putted the (par-5) second hole for bogey, my only bogey this week,” said Lewis, who won his first pro tournament in May.
“So the eagle at No. 3 got me going.”
Lewis also closed fast with birdies on three of his last five holes. “On a course like this, you have to make a lot of birdies, especially with the soft greens,” he said. “I’m going to have to fire at the pins (in the final round Thursday). “
Parker, 55, shot 5-under 67 for the second consecutive round and has 10 birdies and no bogeys through 36 holes.
“You never know what tomorrow brings,” said Parker, who is 51-under par in his last eight rounds at the Skyview over three years.
“I know I’m going to have to make some birdies (Thursday), how many I don’t know.”
Ratner, 30, who starred at Asheville High and Guilford College and is now an assistant pro at Biltmore Forest CC, was 7-under through 17 holes but made double-bogey 5 on No. 18 after hitting his ball into the trees.
“I’ve made three bogeys and a double bogey, or I guess I would be leading,” said Ratner.
Defending Skyview amateur champion Kyle Scruggs is in good shape to repeat after a second round of 5-under 67.
The 33-year old teacher and middle-school golf coach from Chesenee, S.C., is at 13-under par 131 after 36 holes, four shots ahead of Cody Mincey of Asheville (67-68-135) and Joey Squiers (67-68-135) of Raleigh.
Beth Thompson of Clyde (77-78-155) enjoys a 12-shot lead over Brevard’s Kristen Malone (86-81-167) in the women’s division.
AGC employee Jeff Long, a former Skyview amateur champion, and Robert Straub of Asheville are tied at 5-under at the top of the senior amateur division at 5-under 139..
Fred Edwards, director of golf at Lake Junaluska GC, is one shot back.
Final-round play is Thursday, with amateurs teeing off at 8 a.m. and the pros at 2 p.m.
According to Skyview Golf Association officials, the pro purse is $29,000, with $5,500 going to the winner.
SGA officials said the top four amateurs in each flight will receive gift certificates – $530 for first place, $300 for second, $220 for third, $190 for fourth.
SCORING LEADERS
Skyview Pro-Am Presented by Callaway SECOND ROUND
At Asheville Golf Course
PRO DIVISION
Zane Lewis 65-65-130
Tommy Padgett 66-68-134
Greg Parker 67-67-134
Noah Ratner 67-67-134
Skip Taylor 68-66-134
Austin Fisher 6669-135
Mike Batton 71-68-139
Peter Horrobin 71-69-140
Phil Nickell 69-72-141
Dustin Pressley 69-72-141
Jesse Allen 70-72-142
AMATEUR
Kyle Scruggs 64-67-131
Cody Mincey 67-68-135
Joey Squiers 67-68-135
Colton Makowiec 69-67-136
Ian Trace 70-68-138
Roger Steele 71-67-138
Brad Folsom 68-71-139
Luke Ward 69-71-140
Jamal Hutchinson 72-69-141
Brandt Howard 75-71-146
WOMEN
Beth Thompson 77-78-155
Kristen Malone 86-81-167
Kathleen Vespa 92-90-182
Sharon Alexander 103-98-201
Patricia Martin 104-100-204
Bennie Norman 103-106-209
SENIOR AMATEUR
Jeff Long 68-71-139
Robert Straub 70-69-139 Fred Edwards 70-70-140 Brandon Godfrey 72-68-140
Eric Buckner 68-74-142
Richard Condrey 73-71-144 Robert Westall 73-73-146 Rick Milligan 74-73-147 Cletis Dozier 74-148
Cletis Dozier 74-148
Mike Patterson 71-77-148