Chris Rocha may be having one of his best seasons on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, but apparently surviving the season is becoming just as important as winning it.

This week on Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast, Tim Newman and Chris welcome Tim VanSickle, (Blacksburg Regional B Flight champion) from the Richmond Tour, and Jordan Morrow from the Pasco/Las Cruces Tour for an episode packed with competitive golf, great stories, Tour camaraderie, and more than a little concern for Chris's physical safety.

Tim VanSickle has been part of the Golfweek Amateur Tour since 2010, and his victory at the Pete Dye River Course showed exactly why consistency matters in Golfweek Amateur Golf Competition. He didn't post the lowest round either day, but he stayed in the fight, battled through a difficult final round, and rolled in a clutch putt on the final hole thinking he needed it to force a playoff. Turns out, he had just made the putt to win the tournament by one.

Tim also talks about his journey from D Flight all the way to becoming one of the top players in B Flight, the role the Golf Amateur Tour Community has played in his life, returning to golf after back problems, building a home simulator, and his goal of eventually winning in Champ Flight.

Then Jordan Morrow joins the show, and things get slightly more dangerous.

Jordan sits second behind Chris in the local points race and has developed an interesting habit of hitting golf balls in Chris's general direction. One has already resulted in a concussion, while another recently had Chris performing what can only be described as an emergency interpretive dance to avoid taking a golf ball to the ribs.

Accident? Poor aim? Strategic attempt to move up the points standings?

We're still investigating.

Jordan also shares why the  Local El Paso/ Las Cruces Golfweek Amateur Tour gave him an opportunity to compete again after his traditional athletic days ended, how playing more than 100 Tour rounds has improved his game, and why the friendships and competitive atmosphere keep him coming back.

The guys also talk about Jordan's player interviews before and after tournaments, the infamous "Pain Makers" at Rainmakers Golf Club, Chris's memorable golf disasters, and the friendly trash talk that makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour feel more like a family than just another series of Amateur Golf Tournaments.

With the season quickly winding down, Tim and Chris also turn their attention toward the final regional events and the upcoming National Championship in Hilton Head. They break down the championship course rotations, discuss which flights may have the best setup, and explain why players still chasing points or National Championship qualification need to take advantage of the remaining tournaments.

Because October is coming quickly.

And Chris apparently needs to get there without being hit by another golf ball.

In This Episode

Whether you're chasing a trophy, trying to move up a flight, battling for points, or simply looking for a place where everyday golfers can experience tournament golf, the Golfweek Amateur Tour offers Amateur Golf Competition across the country.

It's competitive.

It's fun.

And occasionally, apparently, you need to keep your head on a swivel.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

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Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast is the golf podcast for everyday golfers who love Amateur Golf, Golf Tournaments, Competitive Golf Events, Local Golf Tours, tournament stories, and the people who make the Golf Community special.

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Episode 100 is one to remember.

Tim and Chris celebrate a major milestone before shining the spotlight on two incredible Golfweek Amateur Tour stories from Texas. First, Dallas-Fort Worth's Mason Aldredge shares how he fired a remarkable 9-under through 27 holes before weather shortened the event. Then the conversation shifts to one of the most inspiring young players on the Golfweek Amateur Tour.

Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Silva joins the show after shooting a blistering 64 (-7) at Lone Star Golf Club. His journey is anything but ordinary. Just four years ago, his first Golfweek Amateur Tour round was a 105. Today, he's a New Mexico State Champion, one of the top junior golfers in the region, and a player with college golf firmly in his sights.

Isaiah opens up about overcoming disappointment, learning patience under pressure, surviving a dramatic three-hole playoff to win the state championship, and why trusting the process has completely changed his game.

The episode also highlights the importance of bringing more junior golfers into the Golfweek Amateur Tour, why young Amateur Golf talent is thriving in West Texas and New Mexico, and how Competitive Golf Events help develop the next generation of champions.

Whether you're chasing your first tournament win or your next National Championship, this episode is proof that improvement is always possible.

 In This Episode

Featured Guests

Mason Aldredge

Isaiah Silva

Whether you're competing in Local Golf Tours, preparing for the National Championship, or simply love hearing stories of perseverance and great golf, this episode delivers.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

Learn more about the Golfweek Amateur Tour at https://amateurgolftour.net.

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The road to the National Championship continues as we kick off the second installment of the series highlighting the Golfweek Amateur Tour Regional Champions. This week, we're shining the spotlight on the A Flight winners with two outstanding Amateur Golf competitors who proved they can handle pressure when it matters most.

Dallas Tour standout Kevin Baughman joins us after earning his first-ever Golfweek Amateur Tour victory with an impressive performance at the Ozarks National Regional. Kevin shares what it took to build a six-shot lead, how "boring golf" can become championship golf, and why consistency is the key to success in Competitive Golf Events.

Then we head to the Mississippi Tour where Joshua Gatlin discusses winning the Temaca Trails Regional after an intense final-round battle. Josh talks about balancing family life with Amateur Golf Competition, why competitive golf makes you a better player, and what it's like moving up to Championship Flight.

Chris also relives his own Regional Championship victory in B Flight at Ozarks National, including battling injury, surviving brutal heat, trusting a game plan, and finally punching his ticket to the National Championship.

Along the way we cover:

* Regional tournament strategy

* Why consistency beats hero golf

* Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge course conditions

* Competitive Golf Events across the country

* The camaraderie that makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour unique

* Team rivalries, Tour friendships, and why golfers keep coming back

* The unforgettable atmosphere of National Championship week on Hilton Head Island

Whether you're chasing your own Regional title or just love Amateur Golf tournaments, this episode is packed with stories, strategy, and plenty of laughs.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

Visit amateurgolftour.net to find your Local Golf Tour and start competing.

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This week on the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha welcome Joe Jaspers to discuss why even the best golfers in Amateur Golf still take lessons.

Joe shares the swing changes that have helped him improve this season, why putting continues to be his biggest focus, and how small adjustments can dramatically improve consistency.

We also replay our interview with Lance LaCombe after his incredible bogey-free 63 and discuss the mental game, course management, and avoiding big numbers during Competitive Golf Events.

Plus:
• National Championship course assignments
• Chris's first hole-in-one
• Chris's career-best 73
• Regional Tournament updates
• Road to the National Championship

If you love Amateur Golf, Golf Tournaments, Competitive Golf Events, Local Golf Tours, and improving your own game, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring tournament recaps, player interviews, instruction, and everything happening across the Golfweek Amateur Tour.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

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The Golfweek Amateur Tour is about more than competition. It's about community, camaraderie, and making a difference.

This week, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha welcome Arizona Tour Director Gabe Garcia and Assistant Director Jordan Isaac to discuss an ambitious nationwide fundraising campaign benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research. What began as a successful Arizona initiative is now expanding across the entire Golfweek Amateur Tour family, creating opportunities for players from every market to contribute to an important cause.

Gabe and Jordan share details about the upcoming online auction featuring golf packages, stay-and-play experiences, and bucket-list golf destinations from across the country. They also discuss how every Golfweek Amateur Tour market can participate through creative fundraising efforts, 50/50 raffles, closest-to-the-pin contests, and member-driven initiatives.

The conversation goes beyond fundraising as the group reflects on the impact cancer has had on members of the Golfweek Amateur Tour family, including the ongoing challenges faced by National Tour Director Dennis McCormac and his wife Jennifer. They also discuss plans to honor veterans, cancer survivors, and those we've lost by sharing their stories throughout the campaign.

Later, Tim, Chris, Gabe, and Jordan share personal stories about golf, family, fathers, and the memories that keep bringing us back to the game. If you've ever wished for just one more round with someone special, this conversation will resonate.

Plus:

Whether you're a Golfweek Amateur Tour veteran, a first-time player, or simply a fan of Amateur Golf, this episode highlights what makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour such a special Golf Community.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

For more information on the Golfweek Amateur Tour, visit:
https://www.amateurgolftour.net

For more information on the Senior Amateur Tour, visit:
https://www.senioramateurgolftour.net

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Every golfer has a story, and this episode of the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast delivers two of the best you'll hear all season.

First, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha sit down with Richmond Golfweek Amateur Tour Assistant Tour Director Ralph Perkins. Ralph shares an incredible journey that took him from homelessness as a teenager to serving as a chef for top military leaders at the Pentagon. He talks about his Army career, deployments around the world, learning Korean while stationed overseas, and how golf became a life-changing passion that eventually led him to competitive Amateur Golf and leadership within the Golfweek Amateur Tour.

Then, the conversation shifts west as Atlanta A Flight player Gran Sumrall joins the show after capturing a Regional Championship in California. Grant breaks down the challenge of competing on desert-style golf courses, the unique experience of traveling across the country for Competitive Golf Events, and why regional tournaments continue to be one of the best parts of the Golfweek Amateur Tour experience.

The episode closes with a special celebration as Chris shares the story of his first-ever hole-in-one, giving listeners a front-row seat to one of the most exciting moments in Amateur Golf.

Whether you're chasing a National Championship, competing in Local Golf Tours, or simply enjoy hearing great stories from everyday golfers, this episode highlights exactly why the Golfweek Amateur Tour continues to build one of the strongest Golf Communities in the country.

In This Episode

Learn More

For information on upcoming Amateur Golf tournaments, Local Golf Tours, Regional events, and the National Championship, visit:

Golfweek Amateur Tour

Senior Amateur Tour

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This episode of the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast is all about honoring veterans, Amateur Golf, and the players who embody what the Golfweek Amateur Tour is truly about: competition, camaraderie, and showing up week after week because they love the game.

Tim Newman and Chris Rocha sit down with two dedicated Golfweek Amateur Tour players and military veterans: Cleveland’s Jaymee Hooshangi and Arizona’s Jordan Isaac.

Jaymee shares his journey from joining the Army after high school to finding competitive golf later in life. From Air Defense Artillery to becoming one of Cleveland’s most consistent Golfweek Amateur Tour members, Jaymee talks about why tournament golf keeps pulling him back and why the friendships on tour matter just as much as the scores.

Jordan Isaac brings a powerful story from his service in the United States Marine Corps, including two combat deployments to Afghanistan. He opens up about the brotherhood of service, transitioning back to civilian life, and how the Golfweek Amateur Tour unexpectedly changed his life in more ways than one… including meeting his fiancée through the tour.

The episode also dives into:

If you love Amateur Golf, Golf Tournaments, great stories, and the community that makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour special, this episode is for you.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

Ready to compete in Golfweek Amateur Tour tournaments?

Visit:
amateurgolftour.net
senioramateurgolftour.net

Join a tour. Meet your community. Play where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

Subscribe, share, and leave a review, because the golf community grows one story at a time. 

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In this powerful episode of the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha take a step beyond the leaderboard to honor Military Appreciation Month and the incredible stories behind the players in the Golfweek Amateur Tour.

This isn’t just about the Golfweek Amateur Tour Golf. This is about service, sacrifice, camaraderie, and how the Golfweek Amateur Tour community becomes a second family for those who have served.

As always, this is where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

Episode Highlights

Guest Spotlight: Ricardo Almeida Jr. (El Paso / Las Cruces Tour)

Ricardo shares:

Guest Spotlight: Jason Sprinkle (Alabama Tour)

Jason talks about:

What Makes This Episode Different

This episode highlights the heart of Golfweek Amateur Tour, the people.

From aircraft carriers to championship leaderboards, these stories show how Golfweek Amateur Tour golf tournaments bring together players from all walks of life into one connected golf community.

In Memoriam

Tim and Chris also take a moment to honor past guest Gaines Beard, reflecting on his impact on the game and the lasting impression he left on the podcast and the golf community.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you're competing for a National Championship or just getting started in the Golfweek Amateur Tour, this episode is a reminder of what makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour special.

Competition is part of it.
But the people, that’s what keeps you coming back.

Ready to compete in Golfweek Amateur Tour tournaments?

Visit:
amateurgolftour.net
senioramateurgolftour.net

Join a tour. Meet your community. Play where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

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This episode of the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast delivers exactly what makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour so addictive: competition, chaos, and a whole lot of personality.

Tim Newman and Chris Rocha kick things off recapping Masters Week, tournament pools, and the reality of trying to balance competitive golf with real life. From there, things shift into what really matters: the growth of Local Golf Tours, the rising cost of amateur golf tournaments, and what it takes to keep the Golf Community thriving.

We’re joined by South Florida Tour Director Terry Lawson, who brings energy, insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most active regions in the Golfweek Amateur Tour. From stacked fields and senior tour growth to upcoming Competitive Golf Events and regionals, Terry makes one thing clear: the competition is only getting better.

Then we head to Denver with Tour Director Doug Smith, who gives a raw, honest breakdown of running Golf Tournaments in a high-cost market. From attracting younger players to creative solutions like sponsorships and pricing strategies, this is a masterclass in growing a Golf Community the right way.

The episode wraps with a real conversation about the future of Amateur Golf, the importance of younger players entering the game, and why the National Championship experience is still the ultimate goal for everyday golfers.

If you’re looking for a true golf podcast for everyday golfers, this is it.

Key Takeaways

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Welcome back to the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast, the amateur golf podcast where everyday golfers step into the world of competitive golf events and experience what it’s like to compete like the pros.

This week, Chris Rocha takes the lead early before Tim Newman jumps in, and the episode delivers everything that makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour THE premier amateur golf tour in the country.

We kick things off with a fan-favorite segment, Roger’s Rules, where Roger Cowan breaks down real situations from the course, including one he personally experienced… hitting the wrong ball. Yes, even the rules expert had a moment.

From there, the conversation dives into:

If you play in local golf tours or any amateur golf competition, this segment alone is worth the listen.

Then we head north to the Minneapolis Amateur Golf scene, where Tour Director Matt Foehse joins the show to talk about:

This is a masterclass in how local golf tours are evolving and how directors across the Golfweek Amateur Tour are raising the bar for amateur golf nationwide.

We close things out with some Masters talk, travel stories, and a reminder of what makes this tour special: competition, camaraderie, and a community that feels like family.

If you’re looking for amateur golf tournaments, want to compete in a National Championship, or just love the game, this is your tour.

Learn more or find your local tour:

Because this is where Amateurs Play Like Pros.

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