"The Big Break" is the name of a series televised on The Golf Channel. A sort of "golf reality" show, "The Big Break" brings together golfers who compete in skills challenges and also head-to-head match play, with prizes at stake that include entry into high-level professional tournaments.
The cast is usually made up of all men or all women, but some of the "Big Break" series have included a mix.
The original "Big Break" series first aired on The Golf Channel on Oct. 7, 2003, and the show quickly became a ratings winner for the network.
"Big Break X: Michigan":
- Winners: Haymes Snedeker and Bernadette Luse
- Cast members: Haymes Snedeker, Bernadette Luse, James Vargas, Andrea VanderLende, Sally Dee, David Mobley, Amber Prange, Robby Shaw, Hugo Leon, Camila Mori, Casey Lubahn, Rachel Lubahn, Sherri McDonald, Michael Michaelides, Rachel Melendez, Otis Smith
- Location: Boyne Highlands Resort, Harbor Springs, Mich.
- At stake: BMW 328i Coupe for each member of winning team; up to $15,000 in cash/prizes; paid entry to Q-Schools
"The Big Break: Kaanapali":
- Winner: Kim Welch
- Cast members: Lori Atsedes, Dana Bates, Susan Choi, Courtney Erdman, Adrienne Gautreaux, Samantha Head, Christina Lecuyer, Tina Miller, Sophie Sandolo, Cirbie Sheppard, Elizabeth Stuart, Kim Welch
- Location: Kaanapali Resort in Hawaii
- At stake: Exemption into 2008 Navistar LPGA Classic; entry fees into all 2009 Futures Tour events; BMW Z4 Coupe
- More info: "The Big Break: Kaanapali" on About.com
"The Big Break: Mesquite":
- Winner: Brian Kontak
- Cast Members: Brian Kontak, Josh Warthen, Roger Fonnest, Matt Every, Anthony Rodriguez, Mark Farrell, Matt Vick, James Nitties, Benoit Beisser, Kevin Taylor, Gerry James, Hiroshi Matsuo
- Location: Mesquite, Nev.
- At Stake: Exemption into PGA Tour 2008 Mayakoba Classic, car, cash
- More Info: "The Big Break: Mesquite" on About.com
"The Big Break VII: Reunion":
- Series Debut: Feb. 25, 2007
- Cast Members: Mark Farnham, Don Donatello, Mike Foster, David Gunas, Pamela Garrity (nee Crikelair), Cindy Miller, Valeria Ochoa, Tommy Gainey, Eddie Gardino, Nikki DiSanto, Kim Lewellan, Ashley Gomes, Laura London, Kelly Murray, Gary Ostrega, Bri Vega
- Location: Reunion Resort & Club in Orlando, Fla.
- At Stake: Exemptions into Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour, or LPGA Tour events
- More Info: "The Big Break VII: Reunion" on About.com
"The Big Break VI: Trump National"
- Winners: Men - Denny Hepler (photos). Women - Bri Vega (photos)
- Cast Members: Men - Sid Corliss, Albert Crews, Charlie Gibson, Denny Hepler, Jeff Mitchell, Kelly Murray, Gary Ostrega, Rocky Rockett, Gavin Slabbert. Women - Rachel Bailey, Bridget Dwyer, Ashley Gomes, Sarah Lynn Johnston, Laura London, Annie Mallory, Kristy McPherson, Karyn Stordahl-Utecht, Briana Vega
- Location: Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, Calif.
- At Stake: Champions Tour exemptions for the men; LPGA Tour exemptions for the women
- More Info: "The Big Break VI" on About.com
"The Big Break V: Hawaii"
- Winner: Ashley Prange
- Cast Members: Jeanne Cho (photos), Divina Delasin (photos), Nikki DiSanto (photos), Jo D Duncan (photos), Dana Lacey (photos), Kim Lewellan (photos), Becky Lucidi (photos), Ashley Prange (photos), Katie Ruhe (photos), Kristina Tucker (photos), Julie Wells (photos)
- Location: Hawaii
- At Stake: Entry into two LPGA Tour events and all Futures Tour events
- More Info: "The Big Break V" on About.com
"The Big Break IV"
- Winner: Paul Holtby
- Cast Members: Warren Bladon, Thomas Blankvoort, David Carnell, Tommy Gainey, Edoardo Gardino, Richard Gillot, Paul Holtby, Randall Hunt, Bart Lower, T.J. Valentine, Marty Wilde Jr., Guy Woodman
- Location: Carnoustie Golf Club, Scotland
- At Stake: Entry into two European Tour tournaments
- More Info: "The Big Break VI" on About.com
"The Big Break III"
- Winner: Danielle Amiee (pictures)
- Cast Members: Danielle Amiee, Felicia Brown, Tasha Browner, Pam Crikelair, Debbie Dahmer, Jan Dowling, Cindy Miller, Valeria Ochoa, Sarah Sasse, Liz Uthoff (contestant photos)
- Location: Kingsmill Resort and Spa, Williamsburg, Va
- At Stake: Entry into two LPGA Tour events
- More Info: "The Big Break III" on About.com
"The Big Break II"
- Winner: Kip Henley
- Cast Members: Shelby Chrest, Sean Daly, Don Donatello, Mike Foster Jr., David Gunas Jr., Kip Henley, Bart Lower, Jay McNair, John Turk, Scott Yancy
- Location: Las Vegas (Desert Pines, Bali Hai, Royal Links and Stallion Mountain courses)
- At Stake: Entry into four Nationwide Tour events
- More Info: "The Big Break II" on About.com
"The Big Break"
- Winner: Justin Peters
- Cast Members: Randy Block, Jeff Brown, Charles Calhoun, Steve Duemig, Mark Farnham, Garrett Garland, Craig Pawling, Justin Peters, Jon Roddy, Anthony Sorentino. See: cast bios
- Location: Treetops Resort, Michigan
- At Stake: Entry into four Canadian Tour tournaments
- More Info: Q&A with Justin Peters
