J. L. Lewis

Who is J. L. Lewis?

John Lee "J.L." Lewis is an American professional golfer. He has won twice on the PGA Tour: the John Deere Classic in 1999, and the 84 Lumber Classic in 2003. In 1999 he won the Honda Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2010, Lewis earned a spot on the Champions Tour after placing well on the tour's Q School.

Lewis was born and raised in Emporia, Kansas. His parents, John and Donna Lewis, taught in Emporia schools for thirty years. His athletic ability was evident from an early age: he played Little League Baseball from 1967 to 1973, and was a winning pitcher with multiple no-hitters. Lewis began playing golf at the age of seven at Emporia Country Club, where he won at the ECC Men's Club Championship twice before graduating from high school. He lettered in football, basketball, and golf at Emporia High School. In 1978, he was named to the all-state high school basketball team, and was awarded a golf scholarship to Emporia State University.

After his sophomore year at Emporia State, Lewis transferred to Southwest Texas State University. While at Texas State, his team won the 1983 Division II golf championship, and he received First Team All American honors for finishing second individually. He graduated from Texas State with a bachelor of science in education with a major in business education and a minor in English. He has been inducted into the Emporia High School Hall of Fame and the Texas State University Hall of Honor.