CLEVELAND, Tenn. - There are no secrets when it comes to the reason Bennett McNabb is headed to San Francisco and The Olympic Club for the U.S. Amateur on August 11-17. Lee University golf coach Evan Spence says it is due to his 5th-year senior's "work ethic and the way he goes about his business every day."

Coach Spence adds that it came as no surprise when McNabb was one of three golfers to post a 5-under 67 and earn co-medalist honors in the Final Qualifier at The Standard Club in Johns Creek, Ga. on Monday. "Honestly, I did see this coming after the summer he has been having. He is leveling up his ability to bring that into tournament play. He is 34-under so far in tournament play this summer!"

There is no question McNabb has proven that he has the goods to compete at the highest levels of golf. But closing out tournaments with victories has been something that had eluded him before this summer. In the NCAA Division II National Championship, he was outstanding and led after the first round then struggled for the next two days.

At the Tennessee State Amateur, he recorded back-to-back eagles on his way to an opening round 64 and a share of the lead, then placed tied for 5th. Like his coach noted, you could see his game coming together at a "high level." The Lee standout warmed up for his shot at the U.S. Amateur by winning the East Tennessee Amateur two weeks ago.

Said McNabb, "Over the last two months I have had some great first rounds including one at the National Championship, but I could not follow it up. I had another great first round at the State Amateur and was not able to capitalize on that. I finally got it done at the East Tennessee Amateur. Seeing my progression over the last three events gave me a ton of confidence going into this qualifier. To go out and get through as a co-medalist in that field (U.S. Amateur Qualifier) was a huge accomplishment and I cannot wait for what is to come in San Francisco.

"It's been a long time coming with the work ethic I've built," McNabb added. "My emphasis has been sticking to my routine, just working through my shots and let the results be the results. It sounds like a cliché, but it frees me up on the golf course to enjoy the game more without worrying about outcomes.

"When I was leading the national championship after the first round, I didn't know how to handle it," he admitted. "After being co-leader at the State Am, I learned some more valuable lessons even though I did not win. Then I carried that into the East Tennessee Am, which was my first win. It has given me a different mindset that I am here to win."

McNabb made his intentions known early at Johns Creek. He went out with three straight birdies following a par on the opening hole. He then completed his round with one final birdie – his sixth on the day – to join Parker Claxton of Claxton, Ga. and Harris Barth of Atlanta with the low rounds.

"The extremely encouraging thing is Bennett seems to just be craving more and more of it the better he plays and he's not shying away from the moment," Coach Spence pointed out. "He is becoming comfortable in it and that is a dangerous place to be as a competitor. I am extremely proud of him and all the work he has put in. I am looking forward to an awesome week out in San Francisco supporting him!"

"I've never been to California, so this will be a pretty unreal experience," McNabb allowed. "I do not want to say it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I want to cherish every moment. I know I will be a minority out there being a Division II golfer from Lee University. I never thought this was possible."

McNabb is not the first Lee golfer to enjoy the U.S. Amateur experience. In fact, Beck Burnette did it twice and Matt Emery joined Brian Clark in qualifying for a spot, according to Coach Spence.

"Going to Lee is one of the best decisions that I have made, and I am blessed to have been under two amazing coaches in Coach (John) Maupin and Coach Spence," declared a tired McNabb after he drove to Hattiesburg, Miss. and completed another round of tournament golf on Tuesday evening. "They have both played a huge role in my development over my time at Lee and I am extremely grateful for my relationships with both. I would not have accomplished the things I have without their belief in me as a person and a player.

"I'm very proud of the work that I have put in over the last four years and I'm extremely grateful for all of the opportunities that I have been given at Lee University," McNabb said in closing. He is more than a golfer, for the past two years he has been a member of the Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team and placed on the GSC Honor Roll 2023-25.

Lee Athletic Director John Maupin noted, "Bennett is the latest example of the fact that we have some of the most outstanding student athletes in the entire country competing here at Lee University. This is credit to Bennett and the hard work he has put in over the years. It also speaks highly of Coach Spence and the program he is running. We will all be excited to follow along with Bennett's results at the U.S. Amateur!"