The GCAA Interviews SwingThought.com Tour Member Chas Narramore

The Golf Coaches Association of America, in cooperation with its long-time corporate partner, the SwingThought.com Tour, will feature a monthly Q&A with former collegians who are currently playing or have played on the SwingThought.com Tour. Long considered the premier developmental tour in the United States, thousands of former college players have started their professional careers there. More than 250 SwingThought.com Tour alumni have or continue to play on the PGA TOUR.

This month we spoke with former Middle Tennessee State golfer Chas Narramore. Narramore was a three-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection as a Blue Raider. He has three top-three finishes on the SwingThought.com Tour Pro Series this year, including a victory at the Savannah Lakes Village Classic.

Q: You played collegiately at Middle Tennessee State – what were some of the things you learned playing in college that helped you as a professional?

College helps you develop from a kid to a man I believe. We had the best coach you could ask for that helped us along the way -  and I think that's the biggest thing in college is going somewhere that you will grow as a golfer and a person because when you leave college you're on your own so gaining the experience on the course and off the course is very valuable.

Q: You actually played in one of our GCAA events while at Middle Tennessee, the Collegiate Match Play, and led your team to victory at The Farms Golf Club in 2009 going 3-0 in match play. Is match play something you enjoy playing? When was the last time you were able to compete in a match play event?

Yes match play is awesome. Especially in a team aspect. That event that we played in college was awesome. Always fun to play well and win but just a well run event. It's something we don't get to play very much so something different just piques the interest and gives a new challenge. I play in a little tournament called the "Herman Cup," which is between the Knoxville touring pros and the Chattanooga touring pros and it's a Ryder Cup format, so that is very fun at the end of the year.

Q: What advice would you give young players making the transition from college to a professional tour?

My advice to someone going from college to professional would be to travel with someone if possible. Being on the road by yourself is tough so I traveled with Rick Cochran and Kent Bulle out of college, which made the transition easier because we could help each other out with travel arrangements.

Q: How has your practice routine changed over the years – from junior golf to college and now as a professional?

My practice schedule changes all the time. I'm not a big practice person so I like to play more than work on things on the range. I think it depends on how you feel like you get better as a player. I practice on the range when I'm working on things but mainly play on the course.

Q: You were recently victorious for the second time at the SwingThought.com Tour’s Savannah Lakes Village Classic, the first person to ever win the event twice. What is it about this event that brings out the best in you?

Savannah Lakes Village will always hold a special place in my heart. The event is great. The community is behind the event and the community comes out and watches all week. So the activities are great and the golf course is always in great shape.

Q: You have been playing full time on the SwingThought.com Tour this season, but also have conditional status on the Web.com Tour. What are your goals for the rest of this golf season?

My goals for the rest of the season are to just get ready for Q School. It's really the only way to move up so I will try and get my game ready to play well. I will do Monday qualifiers the rest of the year and finish out the year on SwingThought.com Tour.

Q: What is the favorite golf hole you got the chance to play in college? What about on the SwingThought.com Tour?

We played the Honors Course in Chattanooga my sophomore year and that place is incredible, so I would say several holes out there. On the SwingThought Tour it would probably be #2 at Savannah Lakes. It's a great hole.

Q: What would you say is the best round of golf you ever played?

I played really well last year in the Knoxville Open Web.com event in the 2nd round and shot 64. That was probably the biggest round in a tournament round.

Q: What are some other interests you have outside of golf?

I enjoy going on the lake when I'm home. I love getting to spend time with my wife when I'm home also because we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like. My brother has two boys so we really enjoy spending time with them.

Q: Several alumni of the SwingThought.com Tour have gone on the great success on both the PGA and European Tours. What about the SwingThought.com Tour prepares golfers for continued success as they progress through their careers?

The SwingThought.com Tour gives you a place to compete against a high level of talented golfers. The competition is great and it pushes you to get better.