Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast

Tim Newman & Chris Rocha

Welcome to the Golfweek Amateur Tour Podcast!  If you love amateur golf, the thrill of competitive golf events, and the camaraderie of the golf community, this is the podcast for you! Join hosts Tim Newman and Chris Rocha as they bring you the latest from the Golfweek Amateur Tour, covering everything from all of the local golf tours through the road to the National Championship. We’ll break down recent golf tournaments, highlight standout players, and dive into what makes amateur golf competitions so much fun. But that’s not all, we sit down with tour directors, course pros, and players from across the country to hear their stories, get insider perspectives, and maybe even pick up a few tips along the way. And, of course, we’ve got Roger’s Rules, where we tackle the quirkiest, most debated rules in golf (because let’s be honest, we all need a refresher sometimes). This isn’t just another amateur golf podcast, it’s a golf podcast for everyday golfers who love the game, the grind, and the great people that make up the Golfweek Amateur Tour. So hit subscribe, grab a drink (or a range bucket), and let’s talk golf!

  1. 6d ago

    One Last Round: Thank You from Tim and Chris

    After more than 100 episodes, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha are signing off from Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast. For their final show, they look back at the players, tour directors, families, and listeners who made the ride worth taking. There is still golf to talk about. Tim and Chris discuss the final weekend of the regular season, close flight points races, and the approaching Golfweek Amateur Tour and Senior Amateur Tour National Championships. Chris shares how he is preparing for Nationals, while the two reflect on what Hilton Head has meant to the event and the possibility of a new location in future years. Then the conversation turns personal. They remember rain-soaked winner interviews, conversations with veterans, road trips, Roger’s Rules, and the friendships that grew well beyond the scorecard. Tim and Chris thank Dennis and Jennifer for trusting them with the show; Roger for always showing up with a rule worth knowing; their families for making the work possible; and the Golf Community that showed up every Monday. If you have played in Amateur Golf Competition, traveled to Competitive Golf Events, or found your people through Local Golf Tours and Amateur golf tournaments, you know the best part often happens between shots. That is what this Amateur golf podcast has always been about. Thank you for listening, sharing your stories, and making Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast a golf podcast for everyday golfers. Where Amateurs Play Like Pros! Explore upcoming Golf Tournaments and tour information at amateurgolftour.net and senioramateurgolftour.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 14

    Golf, Homes & the Road to Nationals: The Short Agent Goes BIG

    We're back, and apparently it takes more than a hospital stay, travel schedules, and life generally refusing to cooperate to keep Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast off the air. Tim Newman and Chris Rocha return as the road to the National Championship gets very real. With just over a month to go, the Golfweek Amateur Tour season is hitting the home stretch, the final Competitive Golf Events are being played, invitations are going out, and Chris has officially earned his way into A Flight. But first, this episode introduces a major new opportunity connecting the Golfweek Amateur Tour, real estate, and the golf lifestyle. Tim and Chris are joined by Jason Becker of RE/MAX, Dave Wynn from Golfweek, and Jennifer Newman, better known around here as The Short Agent, to talk about the new partnership bringing Golfweek, RE/MAX, and Golf Life Navigators together. For golfers who have ever played a course on vacation and thought, "I could live here," this partnership was basically built for you. Golfers can now search for homes, golf communities, private clubs, and destinations with help from RE/MAX Golf Lifestyle Certified Agents who actually understand golf. That includes everything from club memberships and waitlists to finding communities that match the way you want to live and play. Jennifer also talks about her role helping members of the Golfweek Amateur Tour connect with knowledgeable agents across the country, while building resources for players and families traveling to Hilton Head Island for the National Championship. And yes, the branding has officially arrived: The Short Agent who is BIG on service. Visit TheShortAgent.com for information, local recommendations, real estate resources, and upcoming National Championship content. Then Chris takes us to Arizona for the TPC Scottsdale Regional, where 123 players representing 23 Local Golf Tours came together for another outstanding weekend of Amateur Golf Competition. Arizona Tour Director Gabe Garcia joins Chris from the event before introducing returning title sponsor Xerxes "Zeus" Nabong of Wealth Avenue. Zeus talks about his nearly 20-year relationship with the Golfweek Amateur Tour community, why he continues supporting the tour, and how those relationships have grown alongside his business. Tim and Chris also break down the very different challenges of TPC Scottsdale's Champions and Stadium courses, including tight fairways, desert trouble, massive greens and the occasional golf ball that simply isn't worth retrieving. Some balls belong to the desert now. Accept it and move on. Finally, the guys turn their attention toward Chris' promotion from B Flight to A Flight. They talk course management, avoiding the temptation to suddenly start swinging out of your shoes, sharpening the short game, and sticking with the game that got you promoted in the first place. With the final Golf Tournaments of the regular season underway and National Championship invitations hitting inboxes, the countdown is officially on. The Golfweek Amateur Tour is about great Amateur Golf Tournaments, but it's also about the Golf Community, friendships, competition, travel, and the family-like atmosphere that keeps thousands of players coming back. Where Amateurs Play Like Pros! Learn more about the tours: Golfweek Amateur Tour: amateurgolftour.netSenior Amateur Tour: senioramateurgolftour.netThe Short Agent: theshortagent.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 24

    WATCH OUT, CHRIS! Golf Balls, Regional Wins & the Road to Nationals

    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 Tim VanSickle's dramatic one-shot victory at the Blacksburg Regional Why consistency can beat one spectacular round in tournament golf The mental challenge of watching live scoring during competition Playing the demanding Pete Dye River Course Sixteen years of friendships and camaraderie through the Golfweek Amateur Tour Tim's journey from D Flight toward his goal of reaching Champ Flight How home golf simulators are changing practice for everyday golfers Jordan Morrow's return to competitive athletics through Amateur Golf Why Local Golf Tours create competition without losing the fun Jordan's pre-round "What Are You Going to Shoot?" interviews Chris Rocha's ongoing battle to avoid Jordan's incoming golf balls The Pasco/Las Cruces Tour points race Rainmakers Golf Club and the appropriately named "Pain Makers" The final regional opportunities of the season National Championship qualification and points races A look ahead at the Hilton Head National Championship course rotations Why the Golfweek Amateur Tour is about competition, friendships, travel, and the Golf Community 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! Learn more about the Golfweek Amateur Tour:amateurgolftour.net Learn more about the Senior Amateur Tour:senioramateurgolftour.net 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 27

    64 Reasons to Believe: Isaiah Silva's Rise from 105 to State Champion

    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 Celebrating Episode 100 of the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast Mason Aldredge discusses his incredible 9-under performance in a rain-shortened major The mindset required to go low under tournament pressure Isaiah Silva's unforgettable 64 at Lone Star Golf Club From shooting 105 in D Flight to becoming a State Champion Winning a dramatic three-hole playoff for the New Mexico State Championship Recruiting and developing the next generation of Amateur Golf talent Why patience and trusting the process separate great players from everyone else Chris Rocha shares exciting news about the future of junior golf in the El Paso Tour  Why the Golfweek Amateur Tour continues to be one of the best Competitive Golf Events for everyday golfers Featured Guests Mason Aldredge Dallas-Fort Worth Golfweek Amateur Tour Champ Flight competitor Fired 9-under through 27 holes in a rain-shortened tournament Isaiah Silva 17-year-old New Mexico State Champion Shot 64 (-7) at Lone Star Golf Club Rising junior golfer and Golfweek Amateur Tour standout Former D Flight competitor who has become one of the tour's brightest young stars 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 13

    Regional Champions Take Center Stage | A Flight Winners, & Chris Captures Regional Gold

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jun 15

    Driving Change: Arizona’s Nationwide Cancer Fundraising Push, Golf Memories, and a New Hole-in-One

    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: Arizona's nationwide V Foundation fundraising initiative How Golfweek Amateur Tour members can participate Upcoming online auction featuring golf packages from around the country Stories honoring veterans and cancer survivors Gabe's move to the Champ Flight Chris discusses another hole-in-one on the El Paso Tour Tim's love for the U.S. Open and why it's golf's greatest championship Memorable father-son golf stories Ryder Cup rivalry updates between Arizona and El Paso 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jun 1

    From the Pentagon to the Fairway + A Hole-In-One Celebration

    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 Ralph Perkins discusses his Army career and service around the world Life lessons learned from overcoming adversity How golf became a passion later in life Growing the Richmond Golfweek Amateur Tour and Senior Amateur Tour Community-focused events supporting local charities Gran Sumrall recaps his California Regional victory The challenge of competing on desert golf courses Why Regional tournaments are a must-play experience Chris Rocha shares the story of his first hole-in-one Updates on National Championship qualification races US Senior Open qualifying updates from Golfweek Amateur Tour members 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Golfweek Amateur Tour Podcast!  If you love amateur golf, the thrill of competitive golf events, and the camaraderie of the golf community, this is the podcast for you! Join hosts Tim Newman and Chris Rocha as they bring you the latest from the Golfweek Amateur Tour, covering everything from all of the local golf tours through the road to the National Championship. We’ll break down recent golf tournaments, highlight standout players, and dive into what makes amateur golf competitions so much fun. But that’s not all, we sit down with tour directors, course pros, and players from across the country to hear their stories, get insider perspectives, and maybe even pick up a few tips along the way. And, of course, we’ve got Roger’s Rules, where we tackle the quirkiest, most debated rules in golf (because let’s be honest, we all need a refresher sometimes). This isn’t just another amateur golf podcast, it’s a golf podcast for everyday golfers who love the game, the grind, and the great people that make up the Golfweek Amateur Tour. So hit subscribe, grab a drink (or a range bucket), and let’s talk golf!

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