Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast
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!
Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast
Milestone Memories: Celebrating 50 Episodes, Golfweek Tour Stories & Dennis McCormac Insights
Join us as we celebrate our 50th episode of the Golfweek Amateur Tour The Podcast! Chris and I take a nostalgic journey, reflecting on our evolution from the very first episode to today. We share the significance of the number 50, hint at our connection to the number 82, and discuss how valuable listener feedback has been in shaping our content.
We’re thrilled to have Dennis McCormac, the mastermind behind our tour, join us in this landmark episode. Dennis opens up about the tour's explosive growth from a small local league to a national sensation with 75 tours and over 8,000 players. We recount unforgettable moments, like live broadcasts at the national championship, and the touching family stories that have become part of our community’s fabric. Dennis shares his thoughts on the podcast’s role in fostering player interaction and enhancing the overall tour experience, reminding us that our vibrant golfing family is the heart of what we do.
Our favorite podcast moments? From expert interviews to personal tournament tales, this episode is a celebration of the camaraderie and passion defining our journey. We reminisce about our engaging conversations with players, tour directors, and golf pros, like the iconic episode with Mick and the Losers Club from the Fripp Island Regional. From expert club-fitting insights by Ken Rohman to the emotional atmosphere at American Dunes, our milestone 50th episode is a testament to the incredible stories and relationships we’ve built. Here’s to many more episodes and the continued growth of our dedicated golfing community!
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Welcome to episode 50,. Chris, thanks for being my partner for the last almost two years and 50 episodes.
Speaker 2:It's crazy you know we were talking about this off air how we can't believe it's been 50 episodes and now we're here and it's been a fun ride. You know I appreciate you offering me this opportunity. It's been great and I can't wait to have some laughs on the on our 50th uh episode.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this is going to be really good episodes. It can be a little bit different than a normal episode, but uh, I'm thinking everybody's going to like it. You know we're going to talk about the number 50 a lot, but the real question is do you know what the number 82 means?
Speaker 2:Uh, I do Um, but let's save that.
Speaker 1:You got it, so we'll talk about 82 and 50 throughout the episode. This week We've got a lot of good things going on. I think you're going to like this episode, and we did get another update from our friends in Columbus and Mixo. So stay tuned for the latest saga.
Speaker 2:Yep, it's going to be fun. Let's get this started.
Speaker 1:All right, bud, let's go.
Speaker 3:Ladies and gentlemen, golf Week Amateur Tour the podcast Talking about all things Golf Week Amateur Tour, including interviews with tour directors, players and course pros.
Speaker 1:Now here are your hosts atlanta tour director tim newman and el paso las cruces director chris rocha all right, chris, you know we just talked a little bit about a couple different numbers number 50, number 82. But for those that don't know, this is episode 50 of the podcast and we do things a little bit differently around here. And you know there's a reason why we, why this is a bi-weekly show as opposed to you know, number one, we're not in Joe Rogan.
Speaker 1:And not only do we both have day jobs, we're both running tours and doing this podcast is. It takes a lot of time, takes a lot of work. So, you know, bi-weekly is is really, you know, obviously, and I think for the tour, that's probably really where we should be.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I agree, I think we get enough to keep, you know, your listeners intrigued for two weeks and then we release some more information and, like you said, you know it is a lot of work. You put a lot of time into editing and getting getting us sound as best as we can. I don't know if we'll ever be a daily podcast. That'd be, that'd be kind of hard we'll never be daily.
Speaker 1:I doubt we'll ever even be weekly, you know because, because you know in the season that may work. But you know, come, come after national championship. We're Right, there's not nearly as much going on. We need to take a break, right right. And you know I think for you know the content that we're talking about and producing here and for what our Now, unless our members and listeners say you know what, tim and Chris, we want to hear you every week. If that's what they say, I guess you and.
Speaker 1:I will have a conversation with Dennis and Jennifer and say you know, this is what they're saying. We need to figure out if and how we want to do it Right Because, again, without our members and without our listeners, guess what we're not doing this? 50 episodes. We wouldn't have made it 50 episodes.
Speaker 2:Right, right, I agree. And I mean, if you look at all the tours around the country, you know it's usually about every two weeks that there's a tournament. So it kind of makes sense for us to go every two weeks. Now, if you're one of those guys on the East Coast that can travel to 10 different tours within an hour, hour and a half, reach and play every weekend, you know all you know good for you. Uh, do that. You know us guys on the west coast it's still a five plus hour drive just to get to the next tour. But I, you know I've enjoyed every two weeks. It gives me something you know myself to listen to for two weeks, uh, kind of critique how I'm doing on there, and then, yeah, ready. You know we're doing interviews in between episodes so we get to hear the new content before everybody else. But it's just still fun to be able to press play once it drops and kind of listen to how weird I sound on the mic. But it is what it is.
Speaker 1:Well, chris, again I do all the editing. And just so that you know I have to do very little editing for you.
Speaker 2:That's good to hear. That makes me feel better.
Speaker 1:The majority of the editing comes from me.
Speaker 2:Hey, you know what, though, if you haven't done it yet and I'm talking to you, tim, not to our listeners, because please don't do it unless you want a good laugh I've listened to our first episode. Yes, man, we have improved so much we really have, because Jesus he took the wheel on that first episode. I think we've learned a lot, and you know know, it's just the interviews we've had and, uh, the compliments that we've gotten, you know, especially on our, on our what we call our, our us tour this year, um, even nationals last year, you know, just people just coming up and saying how much they love it and uh that we're glad we're doing something like this. It, I think it brought the tour to the next level.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think, I think it's done a lot, a lot for the tour and what you know, we'll talk about that.
Speaker 1:You know, in our first segment coming up here in, you know, in a couple of minutes, One of the things that we talked about there is number one.
Speaker 1:If we didn't again, if right, because our members and listeners wouldn't actually be listening, right, right and so, and again, just like anything else, you and I are not happy with status quo, we're not happy with mediocre. You know we're always looking at what we can do to to be better, what we can do to improve. You know, not only in how we sound and how we look. Right, because, if people haven't noticed, we are producing a little bit more video over the last month and a half, two months, and that's because you know we're putting a little bit more I wouldn't say effort, but more time into some of the video things, right, yep, but also in the content and who we're bringing on and the interview styles and structures and those types of things to to get the most out of, out of it. For again, I keep, I'm going to say this a lot this episode for our members, even for our listeners, because, again, right, without you, our members and listeners, we wouldn't be here for 50 episodes correct.
Speaker 2:I mean, look at what we've done the last you know couple months, uh, having a rules. You know, rogers, with the rules, um, you know we didn't have it for a while with us because we were traveling, but even then, those rule segments that we have have been vital to you and me and our tours. When a question comes up, but even members who are listening and, oh, I didn't know about this rule or, or, you know, I didn't know I could do this with a red steak or a yellow steak or this and that, uh, you know those things that that we've thought of, how can we give the listeners, um, some extra tools while they're, while they're playing golf, some extra things that they didn't, probably didn't know about?
Speaker 1:yeah, we're gonna have Roger on next episode and we're going to go over hazards one more time. You know, we, we, we laughed because you know I had an incident at a tournament and I'm not going to go into it too much, but I insisted that I was right and turns out, turns out that guess what? I was right and, Chris, I didn't tell you the guy who questioned me. He came back the next day and continued to tell me I was wrong, Even after I showed him the rule book Soft.
Speaker 2:Yeah well, we'll cover that next episode. No need to put a little downer on our special episode here and again.
Speaker 1:I said I don't know what to tell you this. I mean, here it is. And then Roger had an incident with the same. So again, we're going to have Roger on next week and we're going to cover hazards and the options one more time.
Speaker 2:And it probably won't be the last time either. Probably not.
Speaker 1:But let's talk about some other things before we really start talking about, uh, our 50th episode. So I asked your question in in the opening a 82. What does that?
Speaker 2:number mean you know, and? And when you told me this number, um, it shocked me because I can't believe we're under triple digits. But we're 82 days away from national championship and it's crazy to even think that.
Speaker 1:Yes, so this episode drops. You know July 29th, so July 29th we're 82 days away from TNF national championship, october 18th 2024 in Hilton Head.
Speaker 2:Yeah, 82 days. I haven't even started to consider planning for national championship and I'm usually one that plans months in advance. So I need to get in gear. And if you're planning on going, you know, start now, don't wait till the end, because I don't want to see the island small, but it's not one of the bigger ones out there it gets packed and when you have all these golfers out there and all their families.
Speaker 1:It's a circus. Well, I would say you better start getting ready now because there's a change. Registration for National Championship opens on Thursday, august 1st.
Speaker 2:Yes, so it's not.
Speaker 1:September 1st this year, it's Thursday, august 1st, three days away. Registration opens for the national championship.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and you want to get registered as quickly as possible, registered and paid to hold your spot, because you know, if history repeats itself, it can sell out very quickly. Mm-hmm, if history repeats itself, it can sell out very quickly. And even if you're playing in one of the regionals in August for your chance to get in or paid, depending on what the regional is offering I would still suggest register and pay and then send that support email and see what they can do for you, because you don't want to miss your spot, that's for sure.
Speaker 1:Exactly. So. Get that registration in August 1st, let's get it rolling. And, as we talk, you and I are going to be doing a live broadcast again that the Thursday of registration. We'll put out details for that Again. I'm really, really looking forward to that as well. You know, when we go to the regionals, we're seeing a bunch of players from all over the place. But what we did last year, you know, being able to see all of the players come in and being able to talk to a variety of players from all different tours you know, remember, you and I were only going to do it for an hour.
Speaker 2:We were there for over two right right, which was great. I mean, you know you say all over different tours, but even different ages too. Yeah, we had kids that wanted to come on and just talk and they were intrigued and you know we encourage you come have a chat with us, even if it's five, ten minutes. Uh, we want to hear your story. You know what brought you to national championship? Obviously you played well enough to get an invite, but what you're looking forward to that week? At a national championship, everybody wants to win. Maybe some people have goals to make the money or make top 25 or whatever.
Speaker 1:Maybe you want to hear all that exactly exactly now to go along with that. The regionals we've got one more trip and you know Chris and I are still discussing how that's going to happen. The regional French Lick. I will definitely be there and we're going to work out how we're going to get Chris patched in because he'll be helping Gabe with the Scottsdale regional. But the world tour is still going on. There's going to be one more leg to that and again, we'll provide more detail with that as we get closer.
Speaker 2:Yeah, definitely I'm excited to go out to TPC. You know, last year I had that incident with my back and I wasn't able to play, so I am looking forward to playing this year. I've gotten as close to second place, able to play, so I am looking forward to playing this year. I've gotten as close to second place two years ago, so when we get them pulled off, I've had a good streak this year. But yeah, I mean I'm interested to get past the end with the French Lick winners, have those little conversations. You know I'll be out there at TPC with my microphone interviewing winners and so on and so forth, and it's going to be a good time. I think you and me both will have a great time out there, absolutely.
Speaker 1:So that takes us to our shirt contest and we have a winner for the month of June.
Speaker 2:Tie race.
Speaker 1:Oh man, it was. Tie race is an understatement. Shaggy Brown from the D dc tour has gone back to back, so he won both may and june. He won by one vote, one vote. So you know, get, get your shirts in for for july, and then there's only good. Actually, there's only a couple days left in july, so gotta get them in and then august is is the month, but I would encourage you all to go to the podcast homepage and, you know, see pictures of the winners. And you know, pretty soon you and I are going to be setting up the brackets.
Speaker 2:Yes, that's going to be fun. I can't wait for that and can't wait to see who wins and if they're able to provide that shirt for us, because you know, there's a little something extra if we can get a shirt for both of us, and I'll wear it the first day, if, if I need to oh yeah, yeah, I'll probably end up wearing it all three days.
Speaker 1:Please watch it. We'll talk about it. We'll talk about it. Let's go ahead and bring in our first guest. Tell everybody who our first guest is.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean. Our first guest is the man, the myth and the legend himself. He's the one that you know. Without his vision we wouldn't have what we have now. So let's definitely bring in the El Presidente, mr Dennis McCormick Dennis, how are you doing today? El Presidente, mr Dennis McCormick Dennis, how are you doing today?
Speaker 4:I'm doing great guys, and congratulations on your 50th episode. That's just an unbelievable accomplishment.
Speaker 1:Well, thanks. You know, when we started this number one we said it all along. Nobody thought it was going to grow into what it's grown to. It was really just kind of something that we wanted to do for fun, to kind of help out and just kind of, you know, talk about what's going on with the tour across the country for everybody else to you know, kind of know what's going on, and it's morphed into this giant that you know, from my perspective, has really connected people all across the country.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's kind of amazing and as I thought about this when you told me I was going to come on and it's the 50th episode, much like what you just said, 30 years ago, I started this what I thought was just going to be a golf league in Charlotte, north Carolina, and here we sit now, 30 years later, with 75 tours across the country, over 8,000 players. Never thought I'd have a podcast on top of everything else that we have, so it's truly amazing what you guys have done.
Speaker 1:So what do you think the podcast has brought to the players from your perspective?
Speaker 4:I think it's another great way for players to interact and know what's going on around the country. I mean, we've improved on so many facets of the tour social media, our webpage, our email blast. This is just another layer, and a better layer, because there's so much person to person contact here. You get to talk to players, you get to unravel things that no one knows about the players. No one knows about tour directors. You know they're able to come on and talk about their players and their upcoming events and just what's going on in their local markets, which we would never be able to do with an email or a social media post.
Speaker 1:What do you think are some of the best stories we've told you you talk about? You know some of the players you know, and as soon as you said that, there's a couple of things that come to mind, you know. And as soon as you said that there's a couple things that come to mind, you know Luke with the tattoo, mick Archer in Columbus, which we'll get to later because you know he keeps in contact with me, but he sent me a couple more videos. You know those types of stories. What do you think are some of the best stories you've heard? You know from the podcast.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and there are a lot. And I was thinking about that I think last year at the national championship, when you guys were live talking to all the players, talking to tour directors, talking to the guy who won his national championship for next year. It just was an exciting broadcast and the players and the and the tour directors really got into it and you guys kind of you didn't ad lib it, but it kind of was like, hey, let's just do this dirty registration. The next thing you knew, it blew up from there and you know, going into this year, you guys knowing more what you're gonna do, I I can't wait to, you know, see the response from players and tour directors and family members. That's the great thing you guys do is you bring in all these family members to listen as well.
Speaker 2:No, I'll just say I think that was fun. What we did, you know, that day Kind of threw people off when they walked in and saw us there with a bunch of computers and just hanging out.
Speaker 1:But it was a great time and we had two kids on there from the they're sitting by my name it was Kelvin Hughes' son and daughter Right and they just were watching for a.
Speaker 2:It was Kelvin Hughes's son and daughter right and they just were watching for a while and Tim just says you guys want to get on and who knows, maybe one day we'll be interviewing them, with them being participants of the national championship, which will be cool, well, yeah you know I actually saw Kelvin at our last tournament.
Speaker 1:You know we did a joint event with Augusta and Columbia and Kelvin was there and he said that his, his, uh, son and daughter already want to be on the show when they come up in in october again and then there's always the james brothers.
Speaker 4:If you can ever get them to stay under 30 minutes, it'll be a miracle exactly see, see we.
Speaker 2:Well, we got them under 30, but the download time that it took to get this was another hour of just jokes and stories and laughter. That nobody, that only we got to hear, which was great yeah.
Speaker 4:Tony and Charlie are playing right now down at the senior regional that Tim Sumption's hosting down at Caledonia and True Blue, that's awesome. That's awesome, yeah, so, but yeah, as I think through there's so many, most that's awesome, yeah, so, but uh, yeah, as I think through there's so many most recently, which sticks in my mind, cause it's very partial to me, and your interview with Gaines Beard and his writing of his memoirs and golf, um, you know I've known Gaines a long time and you know you guys did a great job of extracting all of his experiences. Excuse me, guys did a great job of extracting all of his experiences. Excuse me, he called me back right after and just said, wow, that that was, you know, just incredibly professional and well done. And that's what you guys continue to do is increase your professionalism, the way you interview, the way you extract information from our players and tour directors. It it's truly a gift you guys have.
Speaker 1:I appreciate it. You know for me, dennis, as you as you know, um this I need to start. I needed to do this to have something that was fun to do, to give me away some you know, some of the other things that I had going on in my life and you know to. To think that I would have you or anybody saying those types of things is is a real compliment.
Speaker 4:Well, and it's just not me, and thank God we were able to. You know, one one thing I can do is sell. It wasn't hard to sell sponsors for the podcast after I sent them some links and hookups of things you've done in the past. I mean, you know it was tricks on Meridian putters, jb golf and my good friend here on the island, jr John Robinson Real Estate. I believe next year we can add a few more sponsors at that level and be able to put you guys on the road experiencing the regionals with the tour director who's running it and getting feedback from the players immediately on site, much like you did at National.
Speaker 1:Well, that's been a lot of fun. I mean the ones that we've been to. You know, just recently we were up in Michigan with Michelle at American Dunes and I'll tell you, if you miss American Dunes, you really missed out. It's a, the course is great, but the atmosphere is very touching and you need to get up there and then down in Louisiana with Gene at the Cajun Classic and I tell you they put it on the first-class tournament down there, dennis, and it was fun. The interaction with the members and the was. It was fun.
Speaker 4:The interaction with with the, the, uh, the members and the players there was was a complete blast yeah, I mean your exit interviews with gina and and uh, trey, trey, thank you on their ride home and telling you you know all the things and what they do, and trey saying that he calls the winners.
Speaker 2:I mean just incredible stuff that I would have never thought any tour director did we just have stories outside of golf, outside of the podcast that we got to talk about with members. You know, I met so many people that they just say they've heard my voice and knew it was me. It's like, okay cool, my little cartoon picture is a lot cuter than real life, isn't it?
Speaker 3:you know, being able to do that cartoon picture is a lot cuter than real life, isn't it?
Speaker 2:So you know, being able to do that this year was a lot of fun back-to-back weekends. We might have to rediscuss that, but it was a lot of fun.
Speaker 4:I think the cartoon edge goes to Tim Nim and I think his cartoon looks better.
Speaker 2:You know what? It's fine, he can have it Well.
Speaker 1:I remember when I sent that over to Jennifer she said that's not even you. You look like you. I said you're right.
Speaker 4:That I said you're right. That's why we got to use it Right. This looks like a 40-year-old skinny guy, exactly, see.
Speaker 1:So you know, dennis, we do have one more trip and Chris and I have been talking about how we're going to make it work. But he's not going to be able to make it to French Lick. But I will be out there and we'll figure out how to get Chris plugged into that. But you know that French Lake tournament and I really want to go up and talk to the general manager and get some stories you know from him about, you know, being part of building that course.
Speaker 4:Yeah, because I remember you had him on last year and you explained how BB Dye literally on a napkin, yeah, dirt that whole thing up, and the first night he said I'm not sure I'm going to do this project. So incredible Again, just what you extract. That nobody would ever know, though, about. That is just great for our viewers, our players, our sponsors, and when we have sponsors on, you do a great job of letting them explain what they're doing and why they're doing it with the tour where they're moving forward, and I've got Meridian Putters this weekend doing not only doing a demo, but they're both playing in my tournament at Sea Island.
Speaker 1:It's funny you say that because you know in Atlanta I had like five members come up and talk to me about Ken Roman and and and how he goes about. You know the, the fittings and and that you know the interview that we did and they really enjoyed how in depth you know we got because you know they're they're kind of like me a little bit more analytical in in that process and they said that they, they learned a ton just about. You know, you know clubs and fitting that they never would have ever known.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean Sam Wolf, who's director of golf at Arthur Hills here in Palmetto Dunes. He grew up. His family owned a golf course in North Carolina, so he's been in the game his whole life and he said to me no, never have I met someone and been instructed by someone like Ken. He goes, he can take your game if you're scratched to plus, if you're a six to scratch, in a matter of a couple hours, just by what he tells you and how he knows the technology and what you should be swinging. He doesn't change your swing, he just changes the equipment that you're using. You know, he said he's the best fitter I've ever seen you think we'll get him to national championship?
Speaker 4:yes, no, we're working on hopefully getting a whole team, at least four fitters, like back in the days. You know that we had several years ago set up on the end of the driving range, be there for four or five days, put up a scheduled fitting session. It's in the works. I would find it highly unlikely it won't happen, because we can also work with Worldwide Golf and then we'll watch that product on site. Awesome, that's going to be so cool. I remember those days, yep, and actually, believe it or not, ken Roelman was with that company back then, so he's already been here and done it. So he's told the president of Shrek's on. Look, I was there, this works. Yeah, it does. Yeah, players bought on site.
Speaker 1:Well, if I can lose 20, 30 pounds by then I'll get fitted by it. And I'll start playing golf again, you know so but yeah, his interview I mean I thought was phenomenal. And talk about JR for a second. Jr knows everything about the island.
Speaker 4:He does, he could run for mayor of the island. I mean, I know the mayor, he's a cool dude, but JR literally loves this island to death. You know, as he said, he got here he was a tennis pro, worked with Stan Smith and then went on to get into real estate. He is so well-connected here, so well-liked here, and you're right, there isn't a thing he doesn't know about this island. You know, most guys say 12 by 5, this, that and the other. Jr will get down to the Forest Preserve in Sea Pines. The one on the right is my favorite.
Speaker 1:Exactly, yeah, I love talking to him and Jay Butler Golf his reality show. He just sent something out on that that's coming out here in the next couple weeks that he did.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and you guys helped him greatly on that. I mean, he ended up being in the finals or the semi-finals out of what 200 teams, I think wherever. So again, kudos to you guys and the job you do and how well you promote other people's brands. We learn from the best. Well, I don't know about that, but we all try hard we all try hard. We all try to do it better and better every time we never were satisfied with. That's a wrap, exactly, but as a kid, yeah.
Speaker 1:Because you know it's and Jen gets on me all the time, you know, because she listens to the podcast and says, oh, you did a good job with this. I said, well, there's you didn't hear this and there's this and this and this. And she said, well, you need to give yourself and Chris some grace and say, okay, you did something good. I said, but you know, we're representing the tour. We're representing, you know, the 8,000 plus members. We need to make sure that we get it right and that we sound good and hopefully, you know, get more people listening to the podcast and hopefully as well, you know, draw in even more members.
Speaker 4:There's no doubt. I know you're drawing in members because I've had my own guys say hey. I told one of my friends if you don't believe me, just listen to the podcast. You listen to what players are saying and listen to what tour directors are saying.
Speaker 1:So it is garnering us members for sure, yeah, oh, good, yeah, I talked about Mick and the guys in Columbus. My goal within the next year is to get bruce, I mean, I mean, uh, to get butch on the podcast.
Speaker 4:Hey, yeah, yeah. Well, maybe we can start at nationals. Get him at senior now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, a little less congested maybe hijack him a little bit, put him in a corner right, right, if you can catch him exactly, exactly. Exactly. Exactly so. As we're rolling into the last two months of the season, what's going on? What can we look forward to? And then we've got National Championship registration coming up and what else?
Speaker 4:That's correct. Yeah, that'll be coming out in August, but August is the last real busy month for the regional series. Already, lyle, the Virginia regional, he's already sold it out 150 guys. He's doing a double shotgun both days. Only. Lyle, my Sea Island is this weekend, so by the time this airs it'll already be over. But I'm all set down there. And then we've got the Western regional, gabe Amazing, just like Lyle, he'll have 180 guys, both courses, both days, already sold out. I think he has three spots left and French lick that you're going to. He has like 130 registered and only 120 spots available. So he'll sell that out for sure.
Speaker 4:Um, and can you last without these? Yeah, we don't want to leave out the senior guys. The regionals coming up are West Coast Again, gabe's running that out at Bears West. And then the Players Championship is only a couple weeks away at Sawgrass, tpc Sawgrass, and last I checked there were a few spots left. And then finally, scott Eide and the Charlotte Tour is going to one of my favorite spots, rock Barn, where they hosted senior tournament there for like 15 years. It's the Jones and the Jackson course. Both those courses are phenomenal. It's a great facility. So if you're a senior looking to play in August. Those three are still available.
Speaker 1:That's awesome. August, those three are still available. That's awesome. Especially, you know we're getting down to it and really you know guys are signing up and selling these last few out. You know, get as many points as they possibly can to get that qualification for the National Championship.
Speaker 4:That's correct. Yep, that is absolutely correct. And not to mention that you're playing some of the best guys in the country at these regionals. I mean my champ flight at Sea Island besides Joe Jasper's being there is probably the toughest champ flight you're going to see in a regional. I mean I've got all the top guys and you know it's going to play out. You know to be quite a fun Sunday to see who ends up shaking out the winner in that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I just pulled that up, good luck.
Speaker 4:Yeah, wow, luke Layans, ta Fuller. I mean you just go down the list.
Speaker 1:There's Longs in there.
Speaker 4:Yeah, long who just shot 65. Saturday A little 700. Par schnoozer for Joe. Oh no, that sucks. Yeah, couldn't get 800, huh, saturday a little 700 par schnoozer for Joe. Oh no, that sucks yeah couldn't get 800 huh no, no, I mean, you know, he's just phenomenal.
Speaker 4:I mean he's like those interviews you've done, and you've done Wong, and you've done Joe, and you've done Mr Buse, who shot 62, lance Lancome has shot 62, and they all say the same thing. I just hit it where I want, I don't take any big risks, and you know, obviously it all comes down to short game and I'm telling you, wong has probably the best short game I've ever seen in my life.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and Chris, when you watch these guys swing.
Speaker 2:It looks everless.
Speaker 1:Have you ever seen Cephas swing?
Speaker 2:Yes, I've played with Cephas.
Speaker 1:Okay. So, dennis, when Cephas, the DC Tour Director, swings, he looks like he's having a convulsion. So, charles Barkley, it's worse, it's worse, it's worse. And then you put him next to Jeff Long or Jaspers or Buse or any of these other really good champ players and you're like, oh my God, how does he even hit the ball? Yeah, you know, but you know, these champ play guys, their swing is so smooth and so almost seems effortless, and the sound of the ball coming off their club, it's just a different sound.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, yeah, Joe is. I've played with Joe probably more than anybody over the past. He's been with me about 25 years and I call him Iron Byron. His swing has never changed. It looks like what you would see in a mechanic thing, where that swing comes right through and the club's perfectly squared every time. Now, Lance, he swings like Scotty Sheffield. His foot's coming off the ground, he's turning, he hits a 350. He doesn't care where it goes, because he knows it's going to be 350, so it's going to be past all the hazards. He's going to have wedges in his hand. He doesn't care where it goes, as long as it's not in the water. You know, so you know. It's amazing that you know all these guys more and more. Now we're seeing under par every week. Every week somebody's shooting under par. We just really have a talented amount of players out there, especially in champ play.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and where does champ play for national championships this year?
Speaker 4:So this year we're going back to the old way where we played two rounds at one course and then one round at another. So we're playing two rounds at Atlantic Dunes Friday and it'll finish on Sunday, and then round two will be at Golden Bear.
Speaker 1:There's going to be small scores.
Speaker 4:Yeah Well, atlantic Dunes. Technically here, I don't think anyone's ever broke par over the three-day situation we had. But to me Atlantic Dunes won the hardest course, especially when I put it all the way back and I don't even bury him, but it's just that. Back nine is tough. It's just tough. I mean the closing four holes. Even Joe Jasper's one year could have won it. He was five under standing on after he eagled 14 and finished one over. And that's Joe. Yeah so, and he lost by one. He called it the the great. Uh, what was the? Uh? Nascar comedy, uh, with Will Ferrell. Ricky Bobby yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, he said uh, it was just like a train wreck and I couldn't stop it. You know so, but anyway, yes, it'll be a battle for sure. D-flight will play the opposite of those, so they get a chance to play Atlantic Dunes one day and they'll play Golden Bear two days, and we just played there about a month ago on the Hilton Head Tour and the place is the best I've ever seen. It's back.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love the golden bear. That's a good, really good course.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean we, we don't have a bad horse on the lineup this year and I even changed up to senior some and I added Fazio and Hilton head national, you know. So I'm trying to switch it up when I can. On golf week it's pretty hard because we're at eight courses and there's only so many courses on the island that we can tag. You know right, but we rotate them in and out, so about every five years you're going to be back to a course you played, you know, four years ago unless you move up unless you move up.
Speaker 4:Speaking of you, another couple, another couple high 70s.
Speaker 2:We'll see you in the A flight yeah, that's the goal next year is to just bite the bullet and see how it works yeah, well, it might not even be next year, it might not you got a couple two days coming up and you're regional out at TPC, so you got a lot of scores still coming your way with and you've been close.
Speaker 4:Like Tim said, the last two regionals you went to you were right there. Second, and third yeah, so it'd be great to see Again. We've got a few guys that, believe it or not, over 30 years, have started in D and made it all the way to champ. That's my goal.
Speaker 1:Can you talk about the idea of the director's cup?
Speaker 4:Yeah, sure, so it's not really my idea. We've had this ongoing thing. What could we do for the tour directors differently during Nationals? So I came up with we've got four or five guys in champ that are directors, we've got 10 or 12 in every other flight. So I'm going to host the Tour Directors' Cup and it's going to be what you're going to take your three combined scores for each day and the three day total, the low in each flight. I'm going to award a cup by flight 2024 Tour Director Cup, along with some gift cards from Edwin Watts to help spice the pot up.
Speaker 4:Now, the players or the tour directors themselves I know when we get to the tour director meeting there's going to be some cash betting. So I'm sure there'll be a lot more on the line other than my gift cards that I'm going to be giving them, not to mention Smack Talk. If you're the tour director, the first tour director to win the cup, that's go 12 months of bragging rights, and we're doing it on both golf week and senior. Yeah, it'll be fun. I'm really looking forward to it. Kind of like when we added the two-man team it's a tournament within the tournament, but this time it's for the tour directors only, and I'm sure their players will find out about it. Their players will be rooting them on. So I think again, it just brings more camaraderie and more fun to the event, I think it's a great idea.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I do too. I'm excited for it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean other than that. I mean we'll get everything set for nationals Again. Hopefully, all you guys grab what's left of these regionals that are out there that we've mentioned and they're on the front of the webpage Again, I'm going to Sea Island this weekend and then after that there's not many left on either the golf week or the senior side to play it. That's it. And now that, yeah, your shirt thing's winding what you got, two more months of shirt.
Speaker 1:We got voting closes. Well, by the time this airs, voting for the June winner will be over, and then we only have July and August. And then we get into the bracket.
Speaker 4:Awesome, that's great.
Speaker 1:Well, Dennis, thank you so much for taking some time out. I know you're busy getting ready for the regional and a bunch of other things going on, so thanks so much for taking some time with us today.
Speaker 4:Absolutely, guys. And again, congrats on your 50th episode. That is truly just amazing and you do a great job for us.
Speaker 2:Appreciate just amazing and you do a great job for us. Appreciate it All right. You know it's always great to have Dennis on with us, but even especially now, because we wouldn't be able to have this podcast if it wasn't for his Okay and I know you were the main point in selling it to him I'm just glad that we were able to kind of show what we could bring to the table.
Speaker 1:You know this, last year and a half, almost two, almost two years, yeah, when I pitched the idea to him it was, we didn't have any idea it was going to grow to be this big.
Speaker 1:We should, we should have, but we didn't, right, and it was really, uh, at the time I was looking, I needed to do something that was fun, that was that wasn't work related, you know, with some of the other things that I had going on, you know, with work and the tour, and so I needed to do something that was just fun, right, and we didn't have any idea that this was going to blow up the way that it did. Again, we should have. But when you go back and you listen to the first episode, that was how we approached it, right, right, and that's kind of how we sounded. And then, as you know, I think it was really right around national championship that year that we realized that we had something, you know, with comments, that we got after, really okay, so, so our first episode was on september 10th yeah, right after tpc right, and so you, you know, we had three episodes before national championship.
Speaker 1:So three episodes and that's it Okay, and the feedback that we got at national championship really kind of blew us away. I mean, it blew me away, right. It was at that point that, not that we said, oh, we better take it seriously, because we were taking it seriously, but it was more okay. If this is the feedback that we're getting and this is, you know, the direction that this is heading, we really need to make sure that we are approaching it differently. We call it seasons, right, and really, the season, the next season, starts when registration opens for the next year, right. So, and I think you can really tell, when registration opened for 2023, that first episode, you saw a little bit of shift and, and again, I think, I really think that we've gotten better on a number of different fronts with how we approach it and how and how we do the episodes. But I think that's where you can really really start seeing the growth. From that point, oh, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2:I mean, I think the first episode I did it with a pair of headphones, some some AirPods and you had your. You already knew what you were gonna do. You had your whole setup but even being able to, you know, build up our gear and knowing that we're gonna take this to the fullest that we can and hopefully everybody's along for the ride, you know, seeing those fruits from what we did pays off and, like you said, you know, national championship people that I didn't even know heard my voice and and realized I was part of the podcast. Yeah, and it's just like, you know, just just things like that, with only having three episodes, showed that this could grow into something uh, really big, you know, and and not just for us, because I'm not gonna lie, you know it was nerve-wracking the first couple episodes, not knowing what to expect.
Speaker 2:You know how, how was I gonna sound? You know I've never done this before to. You know, maybe we do have something and and let's keep building on it, let's keep going. You know, I think you and me had had tweaks here and there as far as how we were going to approach each guest and what we were going to ask and talk about, and were we just going to let it flow? Or? You know, this guest wants questions, this guest, you know what is this guy's going to talk about.
Speaker 1:And being able to to just feed off each other helped each episode get better and better yeah, absolutely, and you know we we've gotten to the point again where we've we're doing live shows, and you know, a few weeks ago we've gotten to the point again where we're doing live shows. And you know, a few weeks ago I went up to the Fripp Island Regional, as everybody knows, to interview winners and that's where we met Mick and the Losers Club. So before we start talking about other episodes, let's do a rundown of Mick. He sent us a couple of videos and they actually kind of went about predicting their scores. Let's listen in to see where Mick and the boys from Columbus are.
Speaker 2:Tim Newman, it's Mick Archer from the Delaware for today. Here's the flag Mick Archer predicted an 88. Mick Archer shot an 87 and one sea flight. What did you do, phil? I shot 105, and I sucked. What did you do, phil?
Speaker 4:I shot 105 and I sucked.
Speaker 3:What did you do, Charlie? 102. What did you do? Not good enough. Phil Shaw wins the game, but Mick is not winning any more flags.
Speaker 1:And number one. I want to congratulate Mick number one for beating his predicted score and number two for actually winning the sea flight. So he got a trophy but he did not win the flag. So congratulations for getting off the snide and, I guess, congratulations to to phil shaw for picking up his first flag of the season there you go.
Speaker 2:I mean, that's, that's what we. We want to hear that he he didn't go three for three since our interview Cause then the interview might've been the bad luck part. I was worried about that for a second there, you know, but but going from from two flags to a trophy is is a big step, very big step.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so it's um, congratulations to all those guys again. You know, to me that's that's really what it's all about, and to be able to share these stories from around the country. You know, like we talked about with Dennis, we wouldn't know any of this stuff, right, right. And you know, every tour around the country is doing something that's really good and really great. You know, that's one of the things about the podcast that we can be able to share, that you and I are going to talk about our favorite episodes here in just a couple of minutes.
Speaker 1:But when you look at and I'm going to talk about Trey and Jean and Louisiana North, I mean you know how I feel about them. We hear all the time about what a good job they do. You and I saw it firsthand, and not only that. I mean they're, they're just top-notch people, top-notch individuals that you know they. They started to pick them. Do they do a great job with the pick them? If you haven't seen it, you need to. I don't watch it every, every time they do it, but I watch it periodically and they are always having a good time, always having fun with it. Tidewater is doing one, now you're doing one, I'm doing one and and, and. So you know, things like that catch on because the, the guys and and and ladies love it right, you know?
Speaker 1:so it's allowed, it's allowed to to share, share some of these things I mean, I've done it.
Speaker 2:you know, once this podcast launched, I've done it three times and better believe my last event, I had guys coming up to me oh why didn't you pick me? I can't believe you didn't pick me. Watch, watch that you picked the wrong person. And I'm like, hey, man, like you know, one of my A-flaggers came in. I can't believe you didn't pick me. I said, dude, you just had a baby. I haven't seen you in three months. I don't know how you've been playing golf. I picked with the person that I've seen play recently. He's like you're going to regret it and sure enough, he came and won by two strokes. How?
Speaker 1:about that.
Speaker 2:And he was like, see, now, you're never going to not pick me. I'm like, hey, you proved to me that you can still ball out, so all right, but you know things like that. And me and my pick-em partner, jordan, you, you know, I think we're. I'm up two and one and I know he listens to the episode, so I just want to put it out there. I'm up two to one, but now we're asking, you know, members are asking can I be a special picker, can I be a special guest? Like game day has how they have a special picker every week. I'm like, you know, if we get enough people to do it, I'm not opposed to it. I do it now, where I kind of added a little, a little flair to it, where, uh, when people are checking in, they can put their pickups and we add it up at the end and whoever has the lowest wins a prize.
Speaker 1:Whoever?
Speaker 2:has the lowest score wins, wins a prize from. But you got to pick from every flight and it kind of forces you to learn people that are not in your flight, you know, because a lot of guys are like I don't know, you know these D-Flighters, I don't know these D-Flighters.
Speaker 2:Well, now it's time for you to start paying attention, right? And so I'm getting to meet these people, because that's what this whole tour is about is is, you know? It's just things like that. That I don't think if we were in Louisiana and we got to see them doing it, even if it was a men's locker room, what people were using it.
Speaker 1:No, no, men's, men's bathroom. What people were using it.
Speaker 2:Right right right, right, right right. You know, just just being able to see that firsthand makes you consider doing it. So you know things like that. Yeah, that was. You know, that was an episode that I had on my list of one of my favorites. Those last ones, you know, one of my other, one of my other ones that I picked were Don't get into your favorites.
Speaker 1:Yet Not yet, not yet.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm ready.
Speaker 1:I'm excited, I know me too, but I just the whole idea of of. You know we'll talk about our favorites, but you know, just think about the, the number of different people that we've talked to. You go back to the, the registration from last year, right, uh-huh, we talked to to Kelvin Hughes' kids. I mentioned that in in when we talked to Dennis. We talked to the guy who got was it three hole-in-ones? Yep, Three hole-in-ones that last year.
Speaker 2:You would have never known about it?
Speaker 1:Never known, right? We talked to Andrew Buse, who shot 62. Think about that man. He shot 62 in a tournament. How rare is that, Right? You know, actually there was two 62s last year, oh, and the other guy's name is, and I know we're going to get an email about it, and I know we're going to get an email about it and I'm sorry that I don't remember Well.
Speaker 2:Hb shot a 62 at Nationals that year, I believe.
Speaker 1:Well, that first year, but I'm talking about last year, in a tournament, I think it was Chad Frank, I think it was Chad Frank and if it wasn't Chad Frank, chad Frank, he just shot a 62. Didn't even know it Randomly, you didn't even know it randomly, you didn't even know. And if I got and if I got it wrong, whoever it is, I apologize.
Speaker 2:I mean. But look at it this way though. You know, you mentioned, you know, having the guy on the hat, three only ones. Uh, we had a guy, as we're doing I believe it was, you know, that interview the next one. A guy message on our live hey, I have a gold coin in my thing. What does that mean? Oh, yes, that's right. And we and he literally came back to where we were at so we could interview him about winning a national or free entry fee to this year. Yep, so you know little things like that. He would have to wait a full day to ask, and then who knows if that director at check-in would have known what he was even talking about, um, which was you, by the way, because you checked in for us. So I would just throw in that out there. So I do what I gotta do, um, so you know things like that. That that shows we're, we're making strides all the episodes that roger's on.
Speaker 1:Uh, I can. It's invaluable. And, roger, I know you're listening and we can't thank you enough for the time that you put into doing this for us and for the tour. It doesn't go unnoticed, really, by anybody, because Dennis and I have had conversations about it. He really appreciates it and a lot of times that, roger, when I know you're not on here, but I know you're listening, the questions that I send you come from dennis or another tour director. Can you ask roger this right? Um, so you know the time and effort that you put into this does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Speaker 2:So thank you, thank you very much for that right, I mean we, you know we've talked on there before how we, you know, I mean I'm kind of mountain time, you're east coast time, so interviews are kind of later for you guys, and when we have, you know, guests, a one-off guest it's, it's easy to schedule something, but to try and schedule with roger once a month at least he's taking time out of his day to to just come on with those for, you know, 30 minutes, which is which is awesome and we greatly appreciate that.
Speaker 1:Absolutely so. So let's get into. You know what you and I talked about, what we want to do. We we've each chosen a few episodes that that that are our favorites, and we're going to go through and talk about them. I don't want you to give me all of them. We're going to take them, you're going to go Then I'm going to go, because if we choose the same one, so if you choose the same one that I did, that means I've got to choose a different one. So I have five of them.
Speaker 1:Okay, and I have six. So if I choose one that was one of yours, then you have to choose one. I get it, I get it.
Speaker 2:So you go first. Okay, so I'm going to go with the first episode. Oh, you got to be kidding me. And here's why. You know, when you we talked about this a while back, but when you asked me to do this, I was all for it. And then you said, oh, by the way, we're doing this in eight days, okay, cool.
Speaker 2:You may not believe it and our listeners might not believe it, but I'm I'm more of a quiet, keep to myself type guy.
Speaker 2:Um, so, having to come out of my box, you know it, it really, it really made me have to come out of my box to be able to just talk to people I've never met in my life. So I I keep saying, you know, go back and listen to it, because I'm I'm shocked in myself on how much I've grown, but also, it's made a new chapter, you know, in my life being able to do this. So, first off, thank you for even choosing me, like we've said before, but I think that's that's one of my favorite episodes is being able to have proof that I was able to to start a podcast. And even when I tell people, yeah, I have a podcast, they're like no, they're like no, you don't, I don't believe it. And then when I give them the link, they're like hold, there's a picture of you, so you must be on there. And it's even got to the point where my youngest, who's nine years old, listens to our podcast because he likes to listen to my voice on his iPad. So it's awesome.
Speaker 1:It's one of my favorites, well thank you for saying that, but you know, and you and I have talked about this there wasn't a second choice.
Speaker 2:You understand that yes, yes, I do, and I don't want to toot my own horn about that, but I was at a tournament and I was like I'm gonna call you back after because I can't give you an answer now. It's been a fun ride and I can't wait to see what what we did this year and how we're gonna top it next year. We haven't even talked about next year and I can't wait to get those conversations started.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I can't either, but let's, let's look at it. Look at what I call season one, episode one. It was launched on September 10th of 2022. You know, we talked with Gabe Garcia. It was the last episode or episode before recently. He was our very first guest.
Speaker 2:That was the trivia.
Speaker 1:Yep, we had HB Kim from your tour on. He won TPC that year by nine strokes. Can you believe that?
Speaker 2:Yes, oh, I was there, I saw.
Speaker 1:HB can play. I mean, he's one of the best players on the tour which he turned up at the best players on tour. But she turned and turned up at the national championship that year and and showed yep we talked to my good friend, uh uh, dan Cash. He won the regional at Myrtle Beach that year and Jen was on talk about national championship. Yes, I would encourage, you know, all of our new listeners to go back and listen to that episode. That was where we started from. Obviously, we've only gotten better, trust me.
Speaker 2:It was the bottom of the barrel at that point.
Speaker 1:And so I can't believe that you went there. You know what I think that kind of shows. You know kind of how in sync that we are, because that was also the first one on my list.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's the first one on my list. Yeah, that's the first one on my list, um, and so go ahead and I'll tell you if you take one of mine. So again, I've got, I've got so I've got five more.
Speaker 1:We're gonna go with season two, episode six, launched on january 18th of 2023. Championships and tattoos it's what we do, you know when, when you sent me.
Speaker 2:It's funny you say that because when you sent me the uh, the question to find my episodes, I was going through it and, uh, I go, babe, tell my wife, did you realize that we interviewed somebody who has a tattoo for every flight championship he's won? And she's like no, you don't, yeah, we do, like I. I I was as shocked as you were when I heard it, so that wasn't on my list. So you, you get a pass there. I can't wait to hear what what yours is. But it was. It was a fun episode, it really was yeah, and actually luke bohm.
Speaker 1:He was his champ flight player from chicago. He's now the the chicago tour director and we've had him on a couple of times and he's a great interview, lots of fun. He came and played with the Atlanta tour that year at Bears Best Fun to be around, great guy, really good golfer. Last year he also played the most events on tour of everybody as well.
Speaker 2:And he was trying to make a nationwide and trying to play on every tour. I don't know how that ended up. We have to ask him at National.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I can't wait to see him. He played at Sea Island this past weekend so hopefully he did well. But you know what Dennis said about that champ flight down there. It's probably as tough a champ flight that you're going to find outside of the national championship.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, it's going to be pretty crazy. So there's that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that episode, season two, episode six, January 18, 2023, interviewed Luke Bohm and some regional champions from the first couple of regionals of that year.
Speaker 2:So you're up next, I'm pretty sure this one's on your list. I didn't go as far as doing seasons and episodes and when it was announced, but when we had the James brothers on, that one was really special because having these guys make the trip to nationals every year as a family and not just them but bringing their family and their kids and all that and just hearing these stories that they have made me think of me and my family and me with my brother and the trip. So having them there and oh my God, it was so much fun, even off air, waiting for their interviews to load, just I think we were on for what. It was so much fun, even off air, waiting for their their interviews to load, just I think we were on. For what an hour later, yes, oh, I don't think I've laughed that much in a long time, in a very long time. So that would be my second one.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that was June 21st 2023. June 21st 2023. I think I had that one on my list. If you didn't, I'm going to be shocked. So here's the thing. So let's just step away from this for just a second here, okay? So you know. You know I've got kids. You know I've got grandkids, right, and you know when my kids were younger, you know you go to parent teacher conferences and the teachers would always say you've got to improve their handwriting. Their handwriting is is horrible. You can't read it and everybody looks at me like it's my fault that they can't read the writing, but my handwriting is atrocious.
Speaker 2:So you can't even read your own handwriting.
Speaker 1:There are times that that is actually true.
Speaker 2:Well, I guess what's the saying? The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Speaker 1:You know, I mean you should see some of the scratch I've got on here on my notepad here. But yeah, there are times I can't read it and so you know anytime that I I write a lot, but a lot of times, if, if it's something that's really important, I'll open up the notes notes app or type it out or type it out or whatever, or I'll text it to myself or text it to Jen and say this is important or what have you.
Speaker 1:But I know I've got this episode on here somewhere because you're going to laugh at one of my selections that we're going to choose here. But let's get back to this episode, Season 2, Episode 17,. June 21st 2023. You know, that's when we talked to Rick Wigington, who he shot a .270. He was in the B-play. He shot .270. Good for him, right? I mean Right.
Speaker 2:But obviously I've been in the 70s and it's. You know, there's times where you don't even realize you're playing that good golf, and then there's times where you don't even realize you're playing that good golf, and then there's times where you're enjoying how good you're playing, but to go two under, yeah, I mean that's insane.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And then he took the step of just going ahead and DQing himself because it was definitely out of range for the B flight, right? But my goodness, which takes a lot of guts, too, to do that too.
Speaker 2:Because some people could just go in there and see what happens and for him to, you know, take the honor and just say, hey, I shot the best that I can on that given day and I'm not upset about it, and we know what's going to happen next. Just let me have it. It's just awesome.
Speaker 1:And then we get to. You know you mentioned the James brothers. It was Charlie, tyrone, jonathan and OJ from the Orlando Tour and Tony from the Augusta Tour. Those guys are again, top-notch individuals, a lot of fun to be around. You know, in our last tournament we did a combo with Augusta and Columbia and I got to see Tony. Actually this is the first time I've seen him this year. Just a really good guy. It was good to see Tony. Actually this is the first time I've seen him this year. Just a really good guy. It was good to see him.
Speaker 1:And we talked a little bit about national championship and obviously they're all going to be there. So you know, and the one thing about that episode to me that really stood out was that that was our Father's Day episode and you know it was really talking. They were really talking about the relationship that they had with each other, but also the relationship that they had with with their dad and that relationship to golf and so right where it was fun, but it was also really kind of touching to have that, that conversation right, and I think that's probably why it is in my top three, because of the fact that you know, that's how a lot of us got into the game was because of our fathers.
Speaker 2:And you know, being able to kind of understand what they're saying and being able to kind of make a picture for myself really resonated in my heart and that's why it's in the top three for me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was really good. All right, so my next one and you're going to say I'm breaking the rules, but it's our podcast, we can do what we want. My next episode is really four episodes what? Yes, my next episode is really four episodes, and here's why. Okay, it's season two, episode 15, which was May 24th 2023. Season three, episode 12, may 6th. The 24th season three, episode 13, may 20th and season three episode that looks like 14.
Speaker 2:I think I'm going to work on with this.
Speaker 1:They were our military tribute, yep, and I couldn't just pick one of those because every single interview we did for them to me was just out of this world.
Speaker 2:You know what, Because of the fact that it is under that umbrella of our military ones, I'll allow it as as one.
Speaker 2:But you're right, though we you know the stories that we got to hear. Not only you know how they, how they served our country, but also how they were able to or how golf helped them for some people get through it yeah, or helped some of them. You know we had Billy them. You know we had Billy Hinojos on our on one that he, you know golf is helping him now as a veteran um cope with what he had to go through. So just hearing those stories were were great. I mean, you know, I have on my notes the interviews I had with that.
Speaker 2:We had with HB and Billy, because they're my members and I know them very well. But we had them also during the um episodes that you speak of, and and being able to to meet other people around the country that just had awesome stories, whether they were on air or off air, um was a lot of fun. So I'll I'll allow it, you know, as as much as you said, it's our, it's our podcast. We can do whatever we want. I won't throw the yellow flag on this one.
Speaker 2:Yeah see, you're safe.
Speaker 1:You brought up those, the father-son F-16 fighter pilots. I mean Jiminy Crickets, man. I mean how incredible is that you know number one to be a fighter pilot and then to have your son following his footsteps like that to you know, and that's not easy to do either.
Speaker 2:No, it's not. Not everybody gets to wake up and become a firefighter pilot. Trust me. I know I was unable to, so it's not like, oh, you can do that. But to be able to do that and follow in his footsteps is just is remarkable in itself. And to top that, I want to add this to yours, you know, doing our American Dunes trip, yeah, and being able to see what they have there with the fighter pirates, all of that. You know me being a I guess you could say a fan boy of it. It was pretty cool. Yeah, I'm just going to throw that out there as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mentioned that. It was an interview with Dennis earlier in the episode. If you didn't get out to American Dunes this year, you need to go. Not only was it a great tournament Michelle did a great job with it but just being on grounds and having that, there's a different feeling of being there.
Speaker 2:Right, Right, I mean even their huge flag they have in the middle of the ninth fairway. Don't hit the flag, man I. It's funny though.
Speaker 4:Why are you hitting my flag? Why are you hitting my?
Speaker 2:flag. It wasn't on purpose. The wind the wind changed right when I swung and just flew that thing up in the air and I was like, well, it is what it is, it is what it is. And then when I asked Michelle what the ruling was, she goes I don't think anyone's ever hit that flag. I was like, well, it happened, so it is what it is. But no, I'll give you that that's a good choice.
Speaker 1:That's a good pick and, by the way, that June 3rd 2024 episode is also the episode with Gaines Beard which I'm going to say. In my opinion, that's the best interview we've done ever. I agree that was a well. We didn't really do the interview. We had a great guest yes, I mean, that was. It was just fun stories it was. I got to throw Ken Roman in there too, because I love that interview.
Speaker 2:I mean he was you know too, because I love that interview. I mean he was you know. I mentioned that we've had good interviews all year. Yeah, yeah, we have. So, all right, I want to. We're gonna move on. Okay. My third and final pick in the 2024 episode draft. I'm just kidding, I know when it happened. It happened February 1st 2023, and the reason why it happened why this episode is is my number three is because it really made me have to step up. It's my solo episode where I talked with with yes about uh 2023 goals we had for the tour
Speaker 2:not only with with our tours itself, but with our personal golf. I think at that point it took my game to a new level, knowing I had goals I had to accomplish for the season, um. But it also allowed me to become a better person on the mic and have to lead an episode because you lead most of the episodes, let's be real here. Every once in a while you're like, hey, you take the lead here and my foot starts shaking and I get real nervous. But having to try to fill at least half an hour worth of episode, that that was one that sticks in the back of my mind and that was one that I had to put on my list.
Speaker 1:Well, you did a really good job with that and that's the only episode out of the 50 that was a solo episode and you did a really good job and I remember what happened and why that was the way that it was, but you really stepped up to fill in on that and, again, you did a really good job with it.
Speaker 2:Right, and I think we were at a point where you and me talked about we can't skip an episode, right. I mean we were, the ball was rolling so well that if we skipped an episode it could have derailed everything, yep, and if we would have skipped that one episode, who knows if you would have had a 50. So I think that was a milestone and you know, and trust me from the bottom of my heart I'm not trying to shoot my own horn but I think for both of us it was kind of like okay, we have something going, we can't skip it, we've got to figure it out. And you know, I thank Gabe for stepping up and being my co-host, I guess you could say for that episode and you know he's going to be the trivia question until we decide to stop and who was the first one to ever be in the interview? And that was right after his or our first episode was right after his TPC one where he just does an amazing job fundraising for our cancer fundraisers he does. So that's my third.
Speaker 1:Beat that Again. You did a really good job, but again I'm going to go to our podcast. We can do what we want. This was only two episodes, okay, and again, because I couldn't choose, okay, all right, so one was episode two, excuse me. Season two, episode 16, june 7th 2023, and season two, episode 21, august 16th of 2023.
Speaker 1:This is when we interviewed Brian Quackenbush right after he qualified to be in the US Senior Open. Yep, I remember that. To me, when we can really highlight a member who has made such an incredible accomplishment, whether it was for the tour or not, I mean he's dude, he was in the Senior Open Right. I mean as an amateur to qualify for that. I mean that is just. He was in the senior open Right. I mean as an amateur to qualify for that. I mean that is just to me, it's not easy, it's not easy, that's. And so the second episode is when we interviewed Joe Jaspers when he qualified to be a US senior AM Right. Okay, and Joe said it himself sometimes it's harder to qualify to get into these major events, these USGA events, than it is to actually win them. And so when you can go in and you can qualify to be in these major USGA events. That, to me, is. You deserve a good bit of recognition there.
Speaker 2:Oh, definitely, definitely. It was cool to hear their story and how they you know, they practice, they prepare, they qualified, and to be able to look up the scores you know throughout the week and say, hey, I know that guy, hey, I got to interview this guy. Who knows, maybe one day, you know, one guy will, will be top 10 and it's like, hey, we, we got to interview this guy. We need to get him back on to see how it felt to to go through that ride a week, and there's so many different people on our tour that have the potential to do that. Yeah, yeah, who knows what the future holds, next year or the year after that, or or really at any moment.
Speaker 1:Right, right, we're qualifying for these Because, again, catching lightning in a bottle, you know you've got 18 holes to go out there and shoot around your life and hopes and hoping three other people don't do the same thing.
Speaker 2:Right that it's your day to do it right. And and because, no, you don't get told, hey, guess what? You shoot, 69 today, you qualify. Right, I check in. Nobody's telling you, hey, hey, the number to beat is whatever, right you. You go out there and you know you've prepared and you, now it's time to just play your game and hope that you play better than everybody else. Exactly, and sometimes, sometimes it happens. And then you know I can I'm thinking just for the US Open. You know you qualify locally and then it's like, okay, I gotta go do this again in three weeks, right For the, for the regional. And then you cast lightning in the bottle again and you call it for there and say, okay, now I gotta go prepare for the actual open.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and these, most time they only take the medalist and then then you're an alternate Right. Sometimes they take two and then an alternate, and then you know the only way that you get in is if the medalist at your, at yours, drops out. Yep, obviously I'll never qualify right, but if I ever did I don't care if my head was falling off I'd figure out a way to make it to the first tee, whatever tournament that would be. I'm not dropping out Right. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:That is what it is. Hopefully, you know, we get to see somebody qualify again, Hopefully we can make it out there and root them on or anybody can go out there and root them on. But we know people that are members of our tour that are doing things like this Exactly. It's crazy. So, you know, because it is our podcast, I'll allow you to have it.
Speaker 2:That wasn't part of the text, but those are. Those are good, you know, and like like the memorial one, you know we're gonna do that every year, yes, regardless, and every year it's gonna be great and hopefully, you know, it gets better and better and better. But that's why we do this, is for that, and I promise we're gonna get better on giving Mother's Day recognition. We will get better. Mark it, you know, on this episode, we said it. You know, since you did more than three, I'm going to throw one out there as well.
Speaker 2:The live shows we did at the regionals this year. Those were fun, they were class. You know, having Gina you talked about it earlier, but Gina on there with the Louisiana tour and we kind of had to go and round them up because they were avoiding us for a little bit. But once we actually got them to sit down and have a great conversation with us, it showed that they do care. And their tournament was top notch. I got to play in it, I got to talk about the shirt contest and all that. But it's going to be tough to be what we did this year. It's going to be tough. So, these other regionals that are out there, if you want us to come out. You have a lot of work ahead of you. I don't see any other regionals doing a skills challenge like she did over there in.
Speaker 1:Louisiana. That was fun. That skills challenge was out of this world, and by the way, do you remember who won B-Flight skills challenge?
Speaker 2:Oh, I do, it was you. Yes, it was. It was fun. That putting challenge was so much fun. I put it better on that putting challenge than I did on the actual course. And there was actual water on this putting challenge. It was crazy. I don't understand it.
Speaker 1:I can't believe the pro tore up his putting green to do that, seriously, you know, and good on him. I mean, I appreciate what he did and that's his thing, that's what he does. But that also just kind of shows the value that he thinks that the tour brings to the course. Yes, as well.
Speaker 1:Definitely, and again, you don't see that. You don't see that very much. I mean, I'm not saying you don't see it at all, but you know a lot of courses. You know they're glad that we're there, right, and they're glad that we're bringing in players and such, but to see the pro there really value the tour and that relationship. You know it says a lot.
Speaker 2:And honestly, you know, going back Sunday morning you would have never known how much he, how many holes he put in Vakering. Their recovery was top notch as well, because it was like there was nothing done the day before. It was crazy.
Speaker 1:Do you have any others on your list? Because if you do, just put them out there because no, you know, I, I, I stuck with.
Speaker 2:you said three and get a little extra just in case. So I stuck with the rules. I can't do that man.
Speaker 2:I, you know I'm not surprised, but it was, it was, uh, well done. It was well done Because it? I mean you can't, you can't pick, like you said, you can't pick one episode from the memorial ones we've had, right, you just can't. And then, to have you know, your third, have two guys qualify for big events. You know you can't pick one over the other. Now, if one of them would have won that event, then definitely we could have picked one over the other. But to qualify is step one, in my opinion.
Speaker 1:Well, how about the episode with Matt Foch and how he built out his golf simulator?
Speaker 2:That was a good one. That was I can't use it coming out and do that for me for free.
Speaker 1:That was a good episode, so I also picked that one, and I also picked March 15th 2023. It's when we interviewed Terry Cardwell from the Kansas tour, where he said he wanted to be the Jeff Wong in the D flight Yep, and we interviewed Cephas oh Cephas. With his golf cart, car on fire, yep and Adam Woodard from golf week. That was really good. That was also really good. I chose this because of Cep and and catching the golf cart on fire. That that's why that was, that's why that was on my list.
Speaker 2:well, with all the electronics he has on his golf cart, yeah, surprised us the first time, jesus. But you know, and and and to, to kind of wrap it up like we've interviewed so many people from all over the country. We even had an interview that we had to schedule when he was on vacation in Hawaii. Yes, yep, and I mean just, I think we've, if we haven't, we're pretty close on touching every state that we've interviewed somebody in.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we now. There's some tours that haven't been on here.
Speaker 2:Oh, we're gonna get you you can't keep ducking us yeah, we're gonna get you and and you better do it now, because if, if you don't, we're gonna get you on a live show and people are gonna actually have to see you. Yeah, here, they don't have to see you in a live show, we're gonna get you on there. So keep trying, but eventually it'll catch up you have to get the president to uh, to drag you over there to get an interview. We'll, we'll get you on there, I'll buy you a beer.
Speaker 1:Come over, I'll buy you a beer.
Speaker 2:That'll bring a lot of people.
Speaker 1:Be careful, see, that's all right.
Speaker 2:That's like. That's almost like a hole in one tab.
Speaker 1:I don't think, do it for everybody. You know there's, you know you get. Oh man, it's Chris. This has been so much fun, really looking forward to, you know, finishing out this year and seeing seeing where, where we can improve for next year. Oh yeah, I mean, I'm already looking forward.
Speaker 2:Yes, I'm already looking forward to our 75th episode and then our hundredth episode, and then just keep going from there. I keep saying, as you know, it's a fun ride that we're on again. Thank you for for even picking me to do it. And, uh, I mean here's to more. Yeah, because it it's, it's gonna be fun and I I may not know all the details and you may not know all the details, but I, I know what's going to happen in the future is going to be awesome, absolutely. I'm just going to say that now Can't wait for our next live show at Nationals, because those are fun.
Speaker 1:Next live show is Prince Lick.
Speaker 2:Well, yes, but like where you and me are actually in the same room Together, all right. Yes, yes, because those are fun, and yes, yes, because those are fun. And you know, and she might hear this, she might not, she's in the living room, but we should get our wives on that episode and just drill them a couple times, that's fine with me. That's fine with me. I know Jen's okay with it.
Speaker 1:I don't think she is, but I'm going to just Well, she was trying to get her, you know, trying to get her on it, and at at the Cajun Classic, she was very, very hesitant.
Speaker 2:She was, she was, she was very nervous. So I may just prep her so I don't have to deal with the questions later. But I think that'd be cool because you know, without them letting us do this, you know spend, you know whether it's late nights for you or early mornings for me, without them being able to do that. Letting us do this, we wouldn't be at 50 episodes.
Speaker 1:Without their support, in pretty much everything that we do with Tours, it just doesn't. It doesn't happen, right, right. Well, chris, you thanked me for choosing you. Like I said, there was no second option. If you said no, there was no second option, so you would have said yes and we would have found a way to Bought me a beer. I do have some, you know some torture tactics and some coercion methods that I don't like to share very often.
Speaker 1:But, seriously, there was no second option and I can't even imagine doing this with anybody else. It's been a great ride and again, you know as much as I enjoy it with you, without our members and without our listeners, we're not here, so we have to make sure that we always keep that in the forefront and let them know that, or hope that they know that that's where our thoughts and feelings are is with them. And again, as always, if you have questions or if you want us to cover something, please reach out to us. Yes, just an email. My emails is timnatc at amateurgolftournet and Chris.
Speaker 1:El Paso at amateurgolftournet, so the only other request that I have of our members and our listeners is please go to Apple and Spotify and give us a five star and give us a rating. Give us a review. You can't imagine how much that helps in the search engines and people finding this, and not only growing the podcast, but growing the tour as well. So go to Apple and Spotify wherever you're listening to us at, you know, give us a five star and give us a review.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I mean it encourages us, because when we see those, you know we get excited and, whether it's good or bad, like even if we're going to learn from our mistakes. So listen to episode one, listen to episode 50. We've learned a lot, but it makes us feel good and it makes us know that you're listening. I mean we see the numbers all the time, but having those little positive things really help us keep that tank full exactly alright, my friend.
Speaker 1:When's next tournament for you?
Speaker 2:mine is this coming weekend we're going to be up in Albuquerque, new Mexico, up north New Mexico, at two golf courses. The one we played last year shot us I think I shot us like 75, and their sister course right below them. So it's going to be a fun little two-day major kind of a tune-up to TPC. It's kind of the same layout here or there and yeah, that's it.
Speaker 1:See how it goes, all right. Well, good luck. Drive safe, and we'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir, we'll talk soon. Take care, have a good one, we'll see you next time.
