ORLANDO, Fla., (April 27, 2011) – The champion of Golf Channel’s Big Break Indian Wells will have the opportunity to put his golf career on the fast track with an invitation to compete in the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA TOUR and a minimum of $55,000 in cash – one of the biggest prizes in the series’ 15-season history. Big Break Indian Wells will feature an all-male cast of 11 professional golfers putting their golf skills – and money – on the line, premiering May 16 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.
In addition to the tournament exemption and cash, the winner also will receive an endorsement contract from Adams Golf, which includes an additional $10,000 in cash; a $10,000 shopping spree from Dick’s Sporting Goods; and an all-expense paid return trip for two to Indian Wells, courtesy of Indian Wells Golf Resort.
The cast of Big Break Indian Wells are at different stages of their professional careers. Some have competed professionally on the world’s top tours, some are just beginning their journey in professional golf and others have gone in a different direction career-wise because of life decisions. The 10-episode series will feature an all-new format – each competitor will begin with $5,000, with the objective to win each other’s earnings on the golf course and to be the last man standing.
The contestants are:
Robbie Biershenk (34, Greenville, S.C.) – Younger brother of Nationwide Tour professional Tommy Biershenk, Robbie is owner of Shank’s Golf Range and Learning Center in Greenville. The laid-back Southerner is looking to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Hernan “Piri” Borja (25, Coral Springs, Fla.) – Son of 1984 U.S. Olympic Soccer team captain Chico Borja, Piri wants to follow in the footsteps of his famous father by becoming an Olympian – only on the golf course. Piri is currently playing on the mini-tour circuits.
David Byrne (23, Essex, Ontario, Canada / Orlando, Fla.) – The youngest competitor on Big Break Indian Wells, Byrne has enormous talent. He recently graduated from the University of Detroit-Mercy, where he was 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year. Byrne gave up his amateur status and kicked off his professional golf career by competing on Big Break Indian Wells.
Kent Eger (30, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada / Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Confident and athletic, Eger is currently competing on the Canadian and Gateway Tours, recording victories on both circuits in 2010. Eger also has one additional leg up on the field – he is the lone competitor to have competed in a Major Championship, the 2010 U.S. Open.
Robert Floyd (35, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) – The most experienced competitor on Big Break Indian Wells, Floyd is the son of Hall-of-Famer Raymond Floyd. Robert has competed in more than 30 PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour events over the past the past 15 years, but has yet to achieve similar success as his father.
Oren Geri (37, Herzliya, Israel / Orlando, Fla.) – Both the top-ranked amateur and professional golfer from Israel, Geri has represented his native country in numerous International events, including several World Cup matches. He has competed on various mini-tours with moderate success over the past 15 years.
John Lepak (30, La Habra Heights, Calif.) – One of the most talented competitors on Big Break on and off the course, Lepak – also an artist and musician – has competed on the Gateway and Golden State Tours for the past several years, and believes his goal of competing on the PGA TOUR is within reach.
Will Lowery (26, Charlotte, N.C.) – A former competitive tennis player, Lowery plays golf like he is hitting tennis backhands by playing with a cross-handed grip. Lowery recently turned professional and volunteers at the First Tee of Charlotte, teaching life lessons and core values on and off the course to youth of similar backgrounds.
Russell Normandin (36, Woonsocket, R.I.) – A Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, Normandin is the first Big Break competitor in the history of the series to be on active duty. Currently deployed in Afghanistan for “Operation Enduring Freedom,” Normandin has one goal in mind: to be the only current active-duty Marine to compete on the PGA TOUR in 2012.
Justin Payne (30, Floydada, Texas) – Payne’s golf career has been victimized by bad breaks and bad timing. One of the top junior golfers coming out of Texas, Payne has had several false starts in getting his golf career on the fast track due to injuries and family matters. Currently, Payne competes part-time on the Adams Tour while managing the family ranch with his father.
Carl Whyte (32, Green Mount, Manchester, Jamaica / Salisbury, Md.) – A track athlete from Jamaica, Whyte turned professional in 2010 and wants to be the first Jamaican-born competitor on the PGA TOUR. He plays golf with three different grips – a baseball grip to hit straight golf shots, an interlocking grip to hit fades and an overlapping grip to hit draws.
Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott and Stephanie Sparks return as co-hosts for the series.
Filmed on location in January at Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, Calif., the 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.
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 man standing crowned Big Break champion.
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, is currently competing full-time on the PGA TOUR. 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 (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 120 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.
About the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Televised in more than 116 countries, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans generates a significant economic impact on the city of New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana. Independent research has shown that the tournament generates spending of more than $30 million within the local economy and garners $17 million in positive national and international media exposure for both the city and state throughout the year beyond the four days of competition.
About Fore!Kids Foundation
Since 1958, the Fore!Kids Foundation has raised money to fund children’s service organizations through golf events like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Golf Ball Gala, an AJGA event, a kids’ summer junior tour, and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has helped to raise nearly $20 million to date, providing healthcare, education and hope for more than 200,000 kids each year. More information at www.forekidsfoundation.com.
Contact:
Jeremy Friedman
Golf Channel Public Relations
407-355-4058
jfriedman@golfchannel.com
