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Local long driver makes quarterfinals By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN James Lewis of Medford was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Remax World Long Drive Championships Saturday at Palms Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev. Lewis, 33, who plays and practices out of Stewart Meadows Golf Course, was swinging with an injured wrist, he says, and still managed to advance through three rounds Friday and Saturday before being ousted. His top drive in the quarterfinals was 326 yards. Sixteen hitters were in the quarters, and six advanced. Of the 10 who didn't advance, only four managed to get drives inbounds. Lewis was one of them. The top hitter not to advance to the semifinals was Greg Wellong, whose 361 yards just missed. Lewis says he came close as well. "I hit one drive 360, but it went off the grid by two inches," says Lewis. "But it was a good experience, and I plan to be back next year for it." Lewis, 33, qualified for the national finals by winning regional and district titles. Jason Zuback of Canada won his fourth straight world title with a belt of 376 yards, 2 feet, 9.5 inches Saturday night. "His winning drive almost rolled out of the grid," says Lewis. "If it had, he wouldn't have won it." Lewis said he hurt his wrist practicing on Thursday. "A local doctor treated it, but I was still pretty sore and it bothered me mentally when I was trying to compete," says Lewis. ``I was worried about it more than anything." Lewis, who is sponsored by Penley Golf Shafts, Zero Tolerance golf clubs, Stewart Meadows Golf Course and Airport Chevrolet, said he was disappointed to lose but encouraged by how close he came to advancing to the semifinals. "The highlight of the whole thing was in the first round of the first day and the crowd was standing and cheering for me," says Lewis. "Out of that big crowd, I heard a little voice say, `Go daddy.' It was my little girl, Ashton." More than 8,000 competitors entered the tournament during its various stages. The Remax World Long Driving finals will be televised by ESPN on a tape-delayed basis Christmas Day. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.