Kim Kouwabunpat's "Big Break PEI" Diary

(Editor's Note: "Big Break Prince Edward Island" premiered on the Golf Channel Monday night, with Kim Kouwabunpat as one of the 12 contestants fighting for the $100,000 prize. In fact, Kim opened the show - by missing a 3-foot putt. But don't worry, she survived. And following each episode, Kim will be posting a diary entry on her Big Break PEI experiences here on About.com. And she'll keep filling us in through the end of the series, even if she does get eliminated somewhere along the way. So check out Kim's first diary entry below, and look for new entries after each episode.)

Premiere Night
By Kim Kouwabunpat

Our Big Break XI premiere at last! And where else would I rather spend my TV debut than Las Vegas with my good friends Nisha Sadekar (Founder/CEO of Play Golf Designs), Ashley Gomes (Big Break VI & VII contestant/fellow PGD Professional), and some other fun friends.

As huge sports nuts, we decided to go to Palazzo's Sportsbook Bar & Grill (formerly Jay-Z's 40/40 Club) where the general manager arranged a private viewing room for me and my posse!

As I sat down on a plush couch with a 72-inch plasma flatscreen, in my new purple dress, the show began.

And the first challenge started with me! I had no idea what to expect, all I knew was at this moment, everything counts. Game ... On!

As the contestants stood in a line, we were ready for the first challenge. And I had to go first. My stomach churned and I felt like I was going to throw up. As I walked up that fairway reading the signs, I don't know if I've ever felt so alone and filled with so much anticipation and anxiety on the golf course in my entire life.

My task was to make a 3-foot putt. Considering the multiple cameras and entire production crew surrounding the green, the absolute silence was eerie. In my 17 years of competitive experience, I don't think I've ever felt so nervous over just a 3-foot putt - but one that seemed like it was a mile away!

I had to laugh at the fact that I actually tapped in my ball after missing the 3-footer, even though that part didn't make it into the episode. The reality of the competition really kicked in when I missed the putt! Aghhhh!

Can you imagine walking down one fairway, hitting one putt, the show has barely started, and all of a sudden I'm at risk of being eliminated?

I have to admit that it was a huge relief to know I wasn't alone and that the next challenge was designed to bring more people to join Eugene, Robert, and me in the Elimination Round. Clearly, everyone was experiencing the same high-intensity nerves as I was.

The elimination round began with a simple bunker shot. But obviously, everyone was a bit shaky under all the pressure. When Caroline and Robert flubbed their shots from the bunker short of the green, it took some pressure off me to execute mine, so I just kept it simple and splashed it on the green. Whew!

I felt the same sigh of relief after hitting my pitch shot inside of Eugene's during the second part of the elimination round. WHEW! That might've been the first moment since the opening 3-foot putt that I actually resumed breathing!

I was nervous to see myself on TV, but thank goodness I was at the Palazzo with my girls, Nisha and Ashley, while watching the episode. Earlier that day, we all hung out at the Bellagio and relaxed. Ash helped me pick out a cute dress at H & M to wear, because when you're nervous, looking cute makes it easier to deal with! The golf clothes I wore on the show are from JoFit. I love her style. Thanks Jo!

Feel free to leave comments for me here, or at my Web site (www.KimCanYouOnePutt.com) where you can also check out some videos and photos from the show. Until next episode, GO LAKERS!

Photo: Courtesy of the Golf Channel

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