Big Break Indian Wells premieres May 16
ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2011) – Golf Channel’s popular Big Break series will be contested in the Southern California desert for its 15th season in May, featuring an all-male cast trying to follow in the footsteps of past Big Break champion Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey.
Big Break Indian Wells, scheduled to premiere May 16, will feature 11 men competing against each other in an attempt to make their lifelong dream of playing alongside the world’s top golfers a reality. In addition to other prizes, the winning competitor will earn a sponsor’s exemption to a 2012 PGA TOUR event.
Filmed on location in January at Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, Calif., the 10-episode series will unfold on the resort’s two championship golf courses – Celebrity Course and Players Course. The Celebrity Course is a two-time host to the PGA TOUR’s Skins Game, and both courses are ranked as one of California’s top-20 courses by GOLF Magazine and Golfweek Magazine – the only 36-hole facility in the state to boast that honor.
“Big Break is one of the longest running original series on television, and each season we strive to give the competitors tough tests on the golf course while at the same time showcasing a picturesque location. With Big Break Indian Wells, we accomplished both,” said Tom Stathakes, Golf Channel senior vice president of programming, production and operations.
“We are anxiously awaiting to follow all the stories and personalities and, of course, to view our beautiful golf courses on the Golf Channel,” said Indian Wells Mayor and golfer, Patrick Mullany. “We can’t wait to tune in and follow all the action.”
The Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. During Big Break Indian Wells, one contestant will be eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded his Big Break, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in a 2012 PGA TOUR event against some of the top players in the world.
Past Big Break champions have won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, including the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, Big Break VII: Reunion champion and PGA TOUR professional, caught the world’s attention recently at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after leading the first three rounds of the tournament, finishing T-8. Several other past Big Break competitors are currently competing on the world’s top tours, including Matt Every (PGA TOUR), James Nitties (Nationwide Tour), Kim Welch (Ladies European Tour) and Sara Brown, Gerina Mendoza, Ryann O’Toole and 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team member Kristy McPherson all competing on the LPGA Tour.
About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. The Golf Channel cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer and part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 140 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s best news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platform of businesses is led by www.GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.
About Indian Wells Golf Resort
The Indian Wells Golf Resort, managed by Troon Golf, has been a popular golf travel destination for nearly 20 years with its two golf courses, four adjacent hotel/resorts and great winter climate leading the way. The City of Indian Wells, owner of the golf resort, decided to further elevate the Indian Wells golf experience by embarking on an ambitious facility-wide project that yielded two new golf courses – Celebrity Course opened November of 2006 and Players Course followed November of 2007. In addition, the spectacular IW Club (clubhouse) opened to the public in 2008. Soon after opening, it won 1st Place in the 2008 Golf Inc. magazine Clubhouse Competition. The richly appointed IW Club houses an impressive array of amenities including the Callaway Performance Center, fine and casual dining, jaw-dropping golf shop, sprawling patios, nine-hole lighted putting course, complete practice facility and a host of other amenities. For more information call 760.346.4653 or visit www.IndianWellsGolfResort.com.
Contact:
Jeremy Friedman
Golf Channel Public Relations
407-355-4058
jfriedman@golfchannel.com
Nancy Samuelson
City of Indian Wells
760-346-2489
nsamuelson@indianwells.com