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With just 67 days until the National Championship, the competition is heating up, and so are the stories! In this episode, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha bring you a powerful mix of record-breaking golf, inspiring fundraising, and the camaraderie that makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour truly special.

We start in Arizona, where Gabe and his team are on the verge of hitting $10,000 raised for the V Foundation, proving once again that golf can be a powerful force for good. Then, we head to Louisiana to hear from Rod Baronet, who delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in tour history, rounds of 68 and 63 at Oak Wing, not only setting the lowest two-day score ever but also shooting his age for the first time at 65. His patient, strategic mindset is a masterclass for every amateur golfer.

Chris also shares highlights from his recent trip to Hawaii, including the unforgettable beauty (and challenges) of island golf. Plus, we give you the latest updates on regional championships, Player of the Month nominations, and the ongoing raffle for a brand-new set of irons.

Whether you’re chasing your own personal best, playing for a cause, or just soaking in the joy of our golf community, this episode is packed with the stories and strategies that make amateur golf competition so addictive.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How the Arizona Tour is making a major impact in the fight against cancer
• The mental approach behind Rod Baronet’s historic tournament performance
• Why patience and course strategy can beat raw power in competitive golf
• Updates on Regional Championships and the road to the National Championship
• How camaraderie fuels performance on the Golfweek Amateur Tour

Links & Resources:

• Golfweek Amateur Tour: amateurgolftour.net
• Senior Amateur Tour: senioramateurgolftour.net

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What does it really take to go really low in Amateur Golf Competition? In this episode of Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, hosts Tim Newman and Chris Rocha sit down with Lance LaCombe, fresh off firing a bogey-free 63 at the Slammer & Squire course at World Golf Village, one of the lowest rounds ever recorded on the Golfweek Amateur Tour.

Lance takes us deep inside the championship mindset, sharing how he kept his head clear, managed every shot with intention, and why avoiding doubles is often more important than chasing birdies. You’ll hear how mental clarity, strategic course management, and knowing your own tendencies are the keys to scoring and how most players are just one mental mistake away from blowing up a round.

But that’s not all.

We also catch up with the flight champions from the 2025 Virginia Tech Regional, including A-flight’s comeback story of the week, an 82 followed by a 71. Every champion shares their unique approach to preparation, performance, and what it feels like to grind out a win in a high-stakes amateur golf tournament.

We wrap the episode with a data-packed look at some of the lowest scores in Amateur Golf Tour history, from legends like Joe Jaspers and Jeff Wong, and how those players continue to separate themselves through consistent, smart, competitive golf.

This episode is packed with insights for anyone playing Amateur Golf—from seasoned Championship Flight competitors to Weekend Warriors grinding for their first win. It’s all about mindset, strategy, and learning from the best.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Lance LaCombe stayed bogey-free and what he was thinking on every shot
• The biggest scoring mistakes lower-flight players make (and how to stop making them)
• Why “avoiding the big number” matters more than you think
• The biggest differences in decision-making between Champ and A Flight golfers
• Tournament tips and emotional wins from the Virginia Tech Regional flight champions
• The mental habits elite amateur golfers use to stay consistent
• Historical low rounds from top names on the Golfweek Amateur Tour
• A statistical breakdown of score patterns among the best in the field

Featured Guests:

• Lance LaCombe, who carded a historic 63
• Regional champions from all flights at the 2025 Virginia Tech Regional
• Commentary and insights from hosts Chris Rocha and Tim Newman

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This week, we celebrate grit, growth, and the golfers who make the Golfweek Amateur Tour feel like home.

Meet Traci Taylor, the first female Member of the Month to be featured on the podcast. After a fractured hip ended her marathon career, Traci turned to golf and never looked back. Now a fierce competitor with over 120 rounds under her belt, she’s proof that perseverance, passion, and a strong putting game can carry you far. Even while blind in one eye, she’s climbed from D-Flight to C-Flight, recruited more women to the game, and become a true ambassador for the Arkansas Golfweek Amateur Tour.

We also go behind the scenes with Tim Horan, Tour Director for the Philadelphia and New Jersey Golfweek Amateur Tours, to find out how he’s built two of the most sought-after local tours in the country. From locking down private country club tee times to balancing schedules and player expectations, Tim shares the hustle it takes to make each weekend unforgettable.

Oh, and yes, we talk birthdays, scheduling chaos, and what happens when a golf tournament lands on your kid’s big day. It’s equal parts heartfelt and hilarious.

In this episode:

• Traci’s transition from marathons to competitive golf
• How she’s grown the Arkansas Tour’s female presence
• The power of putting, even when vision is impaired
• Why course quality and community matter more than trophies
• Tim Horan’s strategy for securing elite venues
• The art (and chaos) of scheduling tournaments
• Honoring all June Members of the Month nominees

Whether you’re chasing a trophy or your next round with friends, this episode is a reminder of why we say: Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

Explore more at amateurgolftour.net

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Kurt Lambert just did something most amateur golfers only dream of—firing a bogey-free 64 to tie the course record at his home club in Minnesota. On this episode, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha break down Kurt’s unforgettable round and how his rivalry with Matt Fossey pushes them both to elite levels of performance. With handicaps of +2.0 and +1.2, this is amateur golf at its finest.

We also dive into the action at the Fripp Island Regional, where A-Flight winner Scott Edwards birdied the final hole for the win, B-Flight champ Max Emerson prevailed using borrowed clubs, and C-Flight’s Eric Walker proved that course management always matters.

Tim and Chris also discuss their personal takeaways from recent travels, the importance of finding joy in competition, and a special V Foundation fundraiser happening on the Arizona tour.

Whether you're chasing the cut line or chasing a record, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Kurt Lambert’s record-tying 64 and the power of friendly rivalry
• Standout moments from Fripp Island Regional winners
• Chris Rocha’s shift from A-Flight to B-Flight and what it taught him
• Golf as a family sport and community builder
• Fundraising through golf: V Foundation initiative in Arizona

Want to get in the game?
Find your local tour and start playing competitive amateur golf today:
➡️ amateurgolftour.net
➡️ senioramateurgolftour.net
Support the Arizona fundraiser: https://www.32auctions.com/gwatvfoundation

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This week on Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, Tim and Chris tee up an episode full of community spirit, competitive fire, and a few rulebook reminders just in time for Father's Day and the U.S. Open.

We spotlight May Member of the Month Ryan Nicholson, who’s already played 15 amateur golf tournaments this season, traveling across state lines and representing the Indianapolis Tour with passion and positivity. Hear about his favorite courses—from Firestone to Notre Dame’s Warren Course—and why French Lick Resort is still on his radar as a must-play.

Indianapolis Tour Director Amal Irudayaraj shares how he’s grown his tour to 125+ members in a compressed season by building relationships with premier golf courses like Sagamore and Chatham Hills. His commitment to creating a competitive golf environment that’s also welcoming shines through.

Then, USGA Rules Official Roger joins the conversation for a breakdown of what to do when you’re stuck with an unplayable ball in a bunker. He also weighs in on club throwing, sportsmanship, and how local golf tours can maintain integrity while keeping the game fun.

Plus, Tim and Chris reflect on how tour directors around the country are ramping up engagement with player spotlights, social media, and recognition programs—all reinforcing the Golfweek Amateur Tour’s core: Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

Key Topics Covered:

- Ryan Nicholson’s 15-event journey and favorite courses

- Growth of the Indianapolis Tour under Amal Irudayaraj

- Why access to top-tier courses matters

- USGA Rules insights: Unplayable ball relief options & conduct expectations

- Father’s Day reflections & U.S. Open buzz

- Community-building through player recognition and nominations

Call to Action:

Whether you're new to the Golfweek Amateur Tour or a returning member ready to make this season your best, head to amateurgolftour.net or senioramateurgolftour.net to join your local tour. And don’t forget to follow us for more episodes of the Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast.

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On this episode of Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, hosts Tim Newman and Chris Rocha deliver a mix of heart, humor, and high-level Amateur Golf Competition.

We kick things off with Mike Cobb, April’s Member of the Month from the Charleston tour. Alongside Tour Director Tim Sumption, Mike shares how he’s brought over 20 new players to the tour, built friendships in every flight, and kept the spirit light with his now-famous rubber snake prank. You’ll hear what makes the Charleston scene so strong and why Mike sticks around to cheer on golfers from every flight.

Then we meet Brandon Filantres, the 17-year-old phenom who recently claimed the D-Flight title at the PGA West Regional. Brandon opens up about maintaining a big lead, bouncing back from pressure, and how his journey in Amateur Golf Tournaments is just getting started.

Also in this episode:

• Must-play course shoutouts: Parris Island, Wyboo Golf Club, Orangeburg CC
• Why Joe Jaspers’ US Senior Open qualification has the tour buzzing
• How the Golfweek Amateur Tour builds community through Competitive Golf Events

Whether you’re chasing a National Championship or just love the Golfweek Amateur Tour, this episode proves once again that this is Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

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In this special Military Appreciation Month episode of Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha spotlight two inspiring veterans whose impact on and off the course defines the spirit of the Golfweek Amateur Tour and Senior Amateur Tour.

First, meet Jamal Garrett, a Marine and Navy veteran whose global deployments from Australia to Japan helped shape his perspective on life and competition. Now a standout on the Tidewater Golfweek Amateur Tour, Jamal shares how golf became a therapeutic outlet during his transition to civilian life. His unforgettable hole-in-one at Kings Mill is the kind of moment every golfer dreams of, and he lived it on tournament day!

Then we welcome Dave Phillips, a retired Air Force Colonel whose career spanned the end of the Cold War and command positions across multiple continents. Now serving as the DC Metro Tour Director for the Senior Amateur Tour, Dave brings military-grade leadership and planning to our Competitive Golf Events. He shares candid reflections on institutional knowledge, team-building, and running high-quality Amateur Golf Tournaments, even in the face of rising course fees and unpredictable weather.

As Memorial Day approaches, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that behind every tournament leaderboard are veterans, families, and stories of dedication and camaraderie. Whether you're a military family, veteran, or part of our Golf Community, you’ll be moved by the leadership, friendship, and resilience found in these conversations.

Also in this episode:

• Shout-out to Mike Cobb, Charleston Tour standout and April's Member of the Month
• Sneak peek at upcoming Regional events: PGA West, Cabot Citrus Farms, and Fripp Island
• Learn how you could win a set of Srixon irons through our podcast raffle
• Keep those nominations coming for May’s Member of the Month by June 5th!

This is Where Amateurs Play Like Pros, and where stories like Jamal’s and Dave’s shine brightest.

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This week on Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, we’re honoring Military Appreciation Month with an episode that hits deep and swings strong. Hosts Tim Newman and Chris Rocha sit down with two incredible veterans whose stories remind us how competitive golf events can become lifelines of community, connection, and healing.

First up: Navy veteran Warren Hodges

Warren spent 14 years in the Navy maintaining military aircraft like the EA-6B Prowler and the Super Hornet. But his most meaningful moment? Re-enlisting in an armory named after his grandfather. Now five years into the Golfweek Amateur Tour, Warren has played a staggering 77 rounds, proving that the drive for excellence and camaraderie doesn’t retire when the uniform comes off.

Then: Army veteran Chris Legare

Chris takes us into the heart of Iraq, where he served as a combat engineer clearing routes under mortar fire. His stories are raw, powerful, and unforgettable. Golf and fishing have become his “happy place”, helping him navigate the difficult terrain of PTSD, reintegration, and life beyond the battlefield. For Chris, the amateur golf community isn't just a weekend activity; it’s a mission of healing.

What you'll hear in this episode:

- Stories of sacrifice, service, and transition to civilian life

- How amateur golf competition provides structure and support

- The trust, mentorship, and golf community that veterans find on tour

- Reflections on Military Appreciation Month and the power of shared experience

- Tour updates, upcoming local golf tournaments, and a reminder to submit your Player of the Month nominations by May 5th!

If you're looking for more than just a golf podcast for everyday golfers, this episode will move you, challenge you, and remind you why this Tour is so much more than a scorecard.

Whether you're a long-time Golfweek member or just love great amateur golf podcasts, join us as we honor those who served and still show up strong on the fairways.

Listen now and tee up some perspective.

Visit amateurgolftour.net and senioramateurgolftour.net to learn more about upcoming amateur golf tournaments near you.

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