The Big Break: Ka’anapali - Episode 1

I have a confession to make. I like The Big Break 'reality' 'golf' show on the The Golf Channel. And I like the ladies' versions the best. Sure, I realize it's not actually 'reality'. I also know that it's not really 'golf'. But I watch the PGA and LPGA for "real" "golf". The Big Break is an entertainment show. And for some reason, it entertains me. Especially the ladies' versions.

I was a reality show virgin until The Big Break VI: Trump National, which aired beginning in September 2006 - just after I started playing golf. The Big Break is still the only reality show I watch. Have I mentioned that I like when they feature the ladies? (Psssst! I believe the term you are probably searching for right now is "horndog" . . . or . . . quite possibly, "corndog" . . . mmmmmm corndogs . . .)

Anyway, I have been looking forward to Big Break: Ka'anapali because it's the first all female Big Break to air since I started watching the show. It also didn't hurt that the majority of the ladies are darn attractive, and their (golf) qualifications appear to be better than any of the previous female contestants.

Prior to the first episode, I reviewed the the player's bios on The Golf Channel website, looked at the videos of their swings, and generally wasted about an hour of my life familiarizing myself with the contestants. (Thanks to TiVo, wireless internet, and a cordless phone, I am a multimedia multi-tasker! I can complete 3 meaningless tasks at 1 time! The dishes, however, are still dirty. D'oh!) So, when the first episode aired on April 15th, I was ready! And by "ready", I mean of course that I ignored it. (I let TiVo record it, and watched it later so I could fast forward through the commercials. Hurray for TiVo!)

Rather than re-summarize the player's bios, I have just posted their Big Break headshots (all photos . . . errrr . . . "courtesy" of The Golf Channel) and linked them to the Big Break bio page for each player. The players are organized by the "team" they were assigned to in the first episode.

Team Purple
Samantha	Kim	Courtney	Tina
Team Pink
Cirbie	Adrienne	Elizabeth	Sophie
Team Orange
Lori	Dana	Christina	Susan

**** Warning: Here Be Spoilers! Arrgghhhh! **** (<--not me)

Big Break: Ka'anapali
Episode 1: "Hit the Ground Running"
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

It's early and no one was eliminated on the first show, so these are just some random, general thoughts on the first episode:

• Okay, okay. I know I said earlier that I understand that The Big Break is not real golf. Moreover, I like cute girls in beachwear as much as the next guy . . . but what they heck was up with the digging in the sand for clues and the swimming pool "Marco Polo" ?!?!?!? Would they have made the guys from Big Break: Mesquite do anything like that? No, of course not. Sadly [sigh], I am a man and therefore a pig. So I enjoyed it when the girls started ripping off their clothing to jump into the pool. [sigh]
  

• How did Cirbe, the no-shoe-wearing, self-described "rocker chick" even get on the show? And why, oh why, did she have to end up on the team that won immunity (despite her car-wreck of a golf swing)?! I was really hoping that she would be first off the show. I don't care about the "rocker" persona . . . I care that she clearly sucks at golf. Her slot on the show should have been given to someone more deserving. How could they even think of having someone like that on the same show as a multiple LET winner and players who have played on the LPGA Tour? Arrrggghh! These pretzels are making me thirsty!!!!
  

• Kim Welch, former Washington State University standout has got some serious game, and nerves of steel. She is my early pick to win the whole thing. However, the head scarves have got to go
  

• Elizabeth is my sentimental favorite for being the first ever First Tee student to make it to a professional tour (Duramed Futures Tour). Plus, she is just smokin' hot.

• I like Samantha Head. I wonder if there is an opening for Mr. Head? If so, please forward me an application. I'm ready to dive in on a moment's notice.
  

• Since Cirbe can't be first to go because of her team's immunity, Susan needs to go. She seems nice enough, but she doesn't have the game and she's dragging the rest of her team down.

• Dana bugs the carp out of me. (yes, that's right, I said carp. ) The comment about being the "Cougar-Momma" on the show who is "going to teach these young girls how to play golf" made me heave a little.
  

• I expected more from Sophie Sandalo. No nekkedness and suspect shotmaking. (Fore!) But she seems like she'd be fun to hang out with.
  

• In the "50 yard shot" challenge, most of the girls were not impressive.
  

• Who was the player who said "@#$%" when Kim nearly chipped in from the bunker, and prompted Kim's teammate Courtney (who seemed equally shocked) to jokingly say "Don't be jealous." Whoever it was (they didn't show her - she was off camera at the time), I like her. Unless it was Cirbe . . . or Dana . . . or Lori . . .

• Andrew Magee?!? How'd that happen? Did Stephanie Sparks refuse to work with Stina Sternberg, or vice-versa? Ugggh, someone call Vince Cellini ASAP!
  

Ahhhh yes, another 12-14 weeks of blathering about a reality TV show to look forward to.
Good times, good times.