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