New Directors, Big Vision: Michigan & St. Louis Set the Tone for 2026

Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast

Chapters
0:00
Holiday Recap And A Missed Birthday
4:10
Health Update On Jennifer And Nationals Reflections
6:08
Meet Michigan’s New Director: Jim Shattuck
9:20
Jim’s Path From Baseball To Golf
12:40
Building Michigan’s 2026 Schedule
18:10
College Courses, Weather Bets, And Must-Play Picks
22:40
The Dream, The Nightmare, And Risk Reward
26:10
Payouts, Pricing, And Growing Fields
31:20
Harbortown Lessons And Course Strategy
36:30
Jim’s Philosophy: Fair Play And Community
38:55
Sponsor Break: ZX Mark II Irons
39:35
Handing Off The Torch In Michigan
43:20
Meet St. Louis’ New Director: Daniel Van Meter
46:40
From Sand Greens To Pharmacy And Family Golf
51:10
Building The St. Louis Schedule And Collaborations
55:20
French Lick Magic And Planning Ahead
1:00:20
Birdie Club Cards And Player Experience
1:04:30
Daniel’s Vision: Feedback, Access, And Fun
1:07:10
Sponsor Break: ZX Mark II Drivers
1:08:00
Family-Run Tours And National Community
Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast
New Directors, Big Vision: Michigan & St. Louis Set the Tone for 2026
Dec 29, 2025 Season 5 Episode 3
Tim Newman & Chris Rocha

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The heart of the Golfweek Amateur Tour isn’t just scorecards and trophies, it’s people, places, and purpose. This week on Golfweek Amateur Tour – The Podcast, hosts Tim Newman and Chris Rocha kick things off with real talk: holiday stories, missed birthdays, health updates, and a reminder that the Golfweek Amateur Tour Community always comes first.

Then it’s on to business, good business.

We welcome Jim Shadduck, the new Michigan Tour Director, who’s bringing a player-first mindset to one of the most competitive local Senior Amateur Tours in the country. Jim breaks down a Michigan schedule built around meaningful venues, including university courses and marquee tracks that reward smart strategy over ego-driven swings. From value-driven entry fees to expanded payouts, Jim is focused on delivering Amateur Golf Tournaments that feel fair, competitive, and worth the travel.

Next, we introduce Daniel Van Meter, the new St. Louis Tour Director, whose approach blends competitive golf with intentional community building. A pharmacist, coach, and former points champion, Daniel shares how family involvement, junior pathways, and creative ideas like the Birdie Club are enhancing player engagement across all flights. His goal is simple: make every Golfweek Amateur Tour event feel memorable, personal, and shareable.

Along the way, Tim and Chris dig into course strategy, destination golf, and why target golf still wins championships, whether you’re navigating Harbour Town-style angles or chasing points toward qualifying for the National Championship. They also highlight the real economic impact of Golfweek Amateur Tour events, including how a single event can inject tens of thousands of dollars into a local community.

This episode is a snapshot of what makes the Golfweek Amateur Tour special: serious golf, welcoming competition, and a nationwide network where amateurs truly play like pros.

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