Tambellini was born in San Luis Obispo, California.

He played at the University of Southern California and turned professional in 1998.

Tambellini has won three times on the Nationwide Tour.

His first win came at the 2003 Albertsons Boise Open, his second came at the 2005 Price Cutter Charity Championship and the third came at the 2009 Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic.

He got his tour card for 2004 through Q-School but was not able to retain it after making only 12 of 28 cuts.