Zambri’s Career Open-Ended : After Getting a Taste of Major Golf, Teaching Pro May Take a Stab at PGA Tour

WESTLAKE VILLAGE —  Chris Zambri figured he would get the intimidation factor of playing in his first U.S. Open out of the way early.

When the former Westlake High and USC standout arrived at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y., for his first official practice round, Zambri walked up to the sign-up sheet and scrawled his name in the same grouping as Nick Faldo.

But moments before tee-off, Zambri, 24, wanted to ensure he was allowed to play with the former Masters and British Open champion. He dispatched his caddy, older brother Mike Zambri, to ask a tournament official for permission to play with Faldo.

“Nobody had signed up to play with him,” Chris Zambri said. “I thought maybe somebody like him would get special privileges. If he really wanted to play alone, I’m not sure I’d want to be playing with him.”

Officials assured Zambri as long as spots were open on the sign-up sheet, he was free to play with Faldo, beginning a whirlwind tournament week.

Golfing with Faldo was a highlight, but it paled in comparison to the opening round of the Open. Zambri shot an even-par 70, four strokes behind the leader, Nick Price, but ahead of most of the elite field.

Although Zambri’s putting stroke deserted him Friday, leading to an 81 that caused him to miss the cut, the Open rekindled Zambri’s desire to compete after an eight-month layoff from competition.

After a steady but unspectacular career at USC, Zambri spent the second half of 1993 and most of 1994 playing in more than 50 professional tournaments, mostly on the Golden State Tour, with marginal success.

By August of 1994, Zambri grew tired of the grind of competing. He returned to Ventura County, taking a teaching and pro-shop job at Sunset Hills Country Club. He held the job at Sunset Hills until the week before the Open, moving to Westlake Village Golf Course, a public course with more opportunities to teach.

In the meantime, Zambri continued to work on his game, with some pleasant surprises.

“I found myself being a lot more patient on the course,” Zambri said. “It’s become a lot easier to let go of a bad shot. If I was playing in a tournament I would worry about that bad shot on the next and the next . . . now I just move on.”

Patience was never a big part of Zambri’s makeup. Ten years ago, Zambri, then a sophomore at Westlake, underwent open-heart surgery to correct a deteriorating congenital defect.

Ten days after the surgery, Zambri was back on the course, and five months later finished second in the Marmonte League finals. Although doctors feared additional corrective surgery might be required, Zambri has felt no ill effects and visits a heart specialist every 18 months.

After two unsuccessful tries at U.S. Open qualifying, Zambri had a built-in advantage heading into the June 22 local qualifier at North Ranch. North Ranch was Westlake’s home course during Zambri’s high school career. Zambri took advantage and led the field.

Two weeks later, Zambri survived a 36-hole sectional qualifier at Valencia Country Club by shooting a three-under 69 in the morning round. Zambri stumbled to a 76 in the afternoon but only two players shot par or better and Zambri took the third of five spots.

Zambri savored every moment of U.S. Open week, even before practice officially started. After arriving on the East Coast early to visit relatives, Zambri couldn’t wait to check out Shinnecock.

“He was really anxious to get out there,” Kim Crawford, Zambri’s fiancee, said. “He wanted to get himself ready.”

As most of the field was completing the Kemper Open, Zambri went to the golf course to get a sneak preview.

“I wasn’t sure if they were going to let me on,” Zambri said. “I’m sure if I was Jack Nicklaus, it wouldn’t have been a problem.”

Zambri expected few players to arrive so early. Instead, the course was packed with either non-PGA qualifiers like Zambri or professionals who missed the Kemper cut or skipped the event altogether. Zambri was able to squeeze in nine holes before his round with Faldo.

Zambri knew Faldo was one of the most-diligent practice players on the Tour, but Zambri was still awestruck at Faldo’s intensity during the round.

On the first hole, Faldo, 6 feet 3, teed off near the edge of the tee-box, took one step back and folded his arms, staring directly at Zambri as he lined up his drive.

“I didn’t realize how big he was. I looked up and kept looking up and all I could see was more and more of Nick Faldo,” Zambri said. “I was worried about the first drive. I hit it OK, not great, but OK.”

After watching Faldo’s intensive practice routine, another practice round the next day, with former Masters champion Larry Mize and former U.S. Open champion and USC standout Scott Simpson, was more laid-back.

“They talked to the caddies a lot, they were a lot more relaxed out there,” Mike Zambri said. “They were hitting the ball to every side. Chris was playing just as well as they were.”

Zambri intended to score the next day’s round as a true mental preparation for the tournament, but he never got on opportunity. A downpour washed out any practice time.

Leaving nothing to chance, Zambri arrived at Shinnecock Hills at 7:20 a.m. for the opening round, 2 hours 45 minutes before his scheduled tee time and two hours before he normally arrives for a tournament.

Zambri played with two other qualifiers, including Jerry Courville, one of three amateurs in the Open. A throng of fans from Courville’s nearby hometown of Norwalk, Conn., kept a sizable gallery for the threesome.

After a par on the first hole and a birdie on the second, his only below-par hole of the tournament, Zambri knew he would be in for a good day.

He even had a chance to make the leader board. On the fourth hole, Zambri missed an eight-foot putt which would have put him in sole possession of the lead at two-under.

Birdie opportunities were rare, but Zambri consistently avoided the rough and finished the round ahead of Nicklaus (71), Faldo (72), Master’s champion Ben Crenshaw (72) and eventual champion Corey Pavin (72).

“I really hadn’t played my best, my putting wasn’t great,” Zambri said. “I was able to avoid the rough all day. I didn’t have to hit out of it once.”

Unfortunately for Zambri, a good portion of the second round was spent in the rough. Although Zambri struggled from the first hole on, he had a chance to made the cut until a triple-bogey on 13 killed any chances.

“Maybe on a normal course he shoots a 73 or 74 the way he was playing and survives,” Mike Zambri said. “But I guess not at the U.S. Open.”

Zambri’s memories of the disaster faded in the past two weeks. He returned to teach at Westlake Village with buoyed hopes about playing competitive golf. This winter, Zambri may attempt to earn a PGA tour card through the grueling, six-round qualifying school.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do; I’ve kind of regretted not trying before,” Zambri said. “After the U.S. Open and seeing everyone up close, I know I can compete with them.”