| You are here: | About>Sports>Golf> Tours / Events> "The Big Break"> Tommy Gainey - Profile of Big Break IV Contestant Tommy Gainey |
 | Golf |
 Tommy Gainey, Big Break IV contestant Courtesy of The Golf Channel, used with permission Tommy Gainey - "Big Break IV" ContestantFrom The Golf Channel Personal: Age: 29 Residence: Bishopville, S.C. Hometown: Same Occupation: Golf Professional – Mini-Tours Marital Status/Children: Single/0 Hobbies: Shooting pool, listening to music, basketball Nickname: Two-Gloves Experience: Home Golf Course: Northwoods Golf Club, Columbia, S.C. Collegiate Golf Experience: None Amateur/Professional: Plays on NGA Hooters Tour, Gateway Tour and Carolinas Tarheel Tour Profile - Tommy Gainey: A small-town golfer hailing from small-town USA, the South Carolina drawl hangs on Tommy Gainey's lips like Spanish moss on a live oak. His approach is straightforward, a philosophy about life that mirrors his take on golf that tells him to just trust it and hit it. "You think long, you think wrong," he says. This self-made golfer has got game, carrying a handicap of +1 and having once shot a 59 during a friendly round with some Nationwide Tour buddies. He missed a 12-footer for birdie that would have given him a score of 58, but he was more concerned about not making birdie. Having lived in Bishopville all his life, Tommy had to find ways to keep playing the game he loves while also trying to make a living. He wasn't recruited out of high school because he had no connections of his own and, as he says, "Small towns get overlooked." He spent years working as an assembly line worker in a water heater factory and a furniture mover to keep money in his pocket and earn enough to play a round of golf when he could. Finances always were an obstacle. It finally took a friend willing to risk $750 so Tommy could play in his first professional event. Fortunately, Tommy was able to make that money back – and then some – by winning the event and $15,000. He feels success in life is all about getting the right break at the right time. And his biggest break so far was being chosen as a contestant on The Big Break IV. "I told the producers that I would happily wipe out that 59 for a chance to be on the show and play for my country," Tommy said. "I’m shocked I got the chance." Currently, Tommy plays various mini-tours, including the NGA Hooters Tour, Gateway Tour and the Carolinas Tarheel Tour. He wears a golf glove on both hands and has affectionately become known as "Two Gloves." Playing to form, he expects no second chances during "The Big Break" competition. "Talk is talk, now it's time for action," he said. |
Las Vegas on a BudgetFind a BargainHotel DealsCheap EatsFree AttractionsEntertainment for Less |
All Topics | Email Article | |  |  |
| Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | Help | Our Story | Be a Guide |
| User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | ©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved. |