Hometown: Findaly, Ohio
Residence: Phoenix, Ariz.
Home Course: Moon Valley Country Club
College: Scottsdale Community College
Interests: Eating, sleeping, football
Occupation: Golf professional
The Golf Channel says:
Brian Kontak. Isn't that the guy who wanted to qualify for the United States Women's Open after Annika Sorenstam competed in a PGA Tour event?Yes and no. What he claims started off as mostly a joke made him a focal point in the argument for gender equity in sports. According to Kontak, it was a good story that took on a life of its own.
"I wasn't trying to impress anyone. My whole deal is equality. If we're going to be equal, then let's all be equal," Kontak explains. "It just got blown way out of proportion. A lot of people misconstrued it as I wanted to play on the LPGA Tour."
Not one to shy away from conflict, Kontak has an attitude and a sense of humor that has friends calling him "Brian Conflict."
"If saying what I think all the time makes me a troublemaker, then yeah, I guess I'm a troublemaker," said Kontak, who is a fanatic Ohio State football follower. "I’m not a fan of people who are one way to you and another way behind your back."
The truth is that Kontak has the talent to play on any tour in golf. He tied for 17th in the 1999 Tucson Open on the PGA Tour and placed fourth in the 1997 Nationwide Tour's Permian Basin Charity Golf Classic. In addition, he won the 1999 Canadian Tour Order of Merit. Currently, he is one of the top players on the Gateway Tour to continue in the success he has had on various mini-tours.
One of the more talented players in the series, he almost didn't make it to "The Big Break: Mesquite." One month prior to the start of filming, Kontak's wife Karen gave birth to the couple's second child. He says that being a father and husband – he keeps a picture of his kids in his golf bag - is the most important thing in his life and he considered not playing. He finally decided the opportunity was too good to pass and competed in the show with his wife's blessing.
Biography courtesy of The Golf Channel; used with permission
