Big Break VII: Reunion Premieres Sunday

The Press Release for the show:

The GOLF CHANNEL’s popular series The Big Break is returning for its 7th season, & so will 16 of the most memorable characters from the first 6 seasons. The Big Break VII promises new excitement as old adversaries, fan favorites & a few surprise guests bring their “A-game” to the hit series.

Premiering Feb. 25th, at 10 pm ET, The Big Break VII will feature Challenges from past seasons combined with new skills competitions. Flashbacks to unforgettable moments will set the stage as old wounds will be reopened & new rivalries created with twists & turns that have become a Big Break tradition.

“The Big Break has always been about opportunity. This season, though, redemption & 2nd chances are just as big a theme,” said Jay Kossoff, the GOLF CHANNEL’s executive producer & managing director for Original Productions. “The show is an avenue for one of these men & women to once again find out if they can compete at the next level.”

For longtime The Big Break fans, the field is a collection of old friends & acquaintances. For new viewers, the series will provide an opportunity to discover the individuals that made it one of the GOLF CHANNEL’s most popular shows.

The competitors are: Mark Farnham, The Big Break I, Chicago, Ill.; Don Donatello, The Big Break II, Sanford, Fla.; Mike Foster, The Big Break II, Savannah, Ga.; David Gunas, The Big Break II, Hebron, Conn.; Pamela Garrity (formerly Crikelar), The Big Break III: Ladies Only, Jupiter, Fla.; Cindy Miller, The Big Break III: Ladies Only, Silver Creek, N.Y.; Valeria Ochoa, The Big Break III: Ladies Only, Miramar, Fla.; Tommy Gainey, The Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe, Bishopville , S.C. ; Eddie Gardino, The Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe, Crans-Montana, Switzerland; Nikki DiSanto, The Big Break V: Hawaii, Los Angeles, Calif.; Kim Lewellen, The Big Break V: Hawaii, Greenville, N.C.; Ashley Gomes, The Big Break VI: Trump National, Pleasanton, Calif.; Laura London, The Big Break VI: Trump National, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Kelly Murray, The Big Break VI: Trump National, Reston, Va.; Gary Ostrega, The Big Break VI: Trump National, Westfield, N.J.; Bri Vega, The Big Break VI: Trump National, North Andover, Mass.

The Big Break concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in challenges that test physical skills & mental toughness. During The Big Break VII, competitors will be eliminated with the last one standing awarded his/her “Big Break.”

However challenging the task, the ultimate champion will be rewarded for his/her efforts. The field resembles a demographic jig-saw puzzle with competitors being both male & female representing various age groups. The ultimate prize will vary depending on the champion. If one of the 8 male professionals is victorious, then he will either earn a spot in the field of the 2007 Cox Classic on the Nationwide Tour or the 2008 Ginn Championship at Hammock Beach on the Champions Tour. Should one of the 8 females claim the title, then they'll be invited to compete in the 2007 Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika on the LPGA Tour.

In addition to tournament exemptions, the Ginn Reunion Resort will present the champion with $50,000 in cash & Ginn Resort lodging & hospitality while Adams Golf will award the winner with an Adams Golf endorsement contract -which includes $10,000 cash - to keep the winner on top of his/her game. Also, Dick’s Sporting Goods will provide a $10,000 shopping spree in the form of a gift card.

Finally, the ultimate winner will drive away in a new 2007 Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler’s first full-sized SUV.

With so much at stake, it is only fitting The Big Break VII takes place at a special venue like the Ginn Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla. In what has been billed the Reunion Great Triumvirate of great players turned prominent course designers, Reunion, situated near the heart of Central Florida’s theme park corridor, offers not only a Ginn-quality golf community built on luxury & class, but also 54 holes of truly challenging, unforgettable golf.

Golf legends Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer & Jack Nicklaus have teamed up to create 3 championship-caliber courses at Reunion: Watson’s Independence, his first Florida design; Palmer’s Legacy; & Nicklaus’ Tradition, which opened in November.

Returning as hosts for the series will be the GOLF CHANNEL’s Vince Cellini & Stephanie Sparks.

As with previous installments, episodes of The Big Break VII will feature challenges designed to demand precise shot-making. Each challenge will bring out the more creative side of golf. The Immunity Challenges are true tests of the players’ shot control, & the player that comes out on top in these challenges will be awarded a 1-show exemption from elimination. In the Elimination Challenge, each show’s pressure-filled test of golf skill, the poorest performer will be eliminated from the show & sent packing for home.

Champions of previous Big Break series have won their chance to compete on some of the world’s top professional tours, such as the Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour & Canadian Tour.