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St. Francis’ Welch gets Big Break
Golfer wins reality show
In a match of contrasting styles, Kim Welch, formerly of St. Francis High School, defeated Sophie Sandolo 4 and 3 to win Big Break Ka’anapali.
Welch consistently hit the ball past Sandolo’s tee shot by 30 yards and, after settling down an erratic putter that plagued her throughout the series, capitalized on her advantage to earn an exemption to play in the 2008 Navistar LPGA Classic, Sept. 25-28.
Tied through nine holes, Welch took control with a birdie on the 10th hole of the match and increased it to two the following hole, courtesy of a Sandolo bogey. Welch added another birdie four holes later to win the ninth edition of the Golf Channel series.
In addition to earning the exemption to play in the LPGA event, Welch will have all entry fees to play in 2009 Futures Tour events waived as well as an Adams Golf endorsement contract, which includes $10,000 cash.
Finally, BMW awarded Welch a Z4 Coupe and will send her to the BMW Manufacturing Plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where the Z4 is built. Once there, she will have the opportunity to tour BMW’s Manufacturing facility and receive a full day of driving with a professional instructor at the BMW Performance Center.
The Big Break concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her “Big Break,” a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in select professional tournaments, and other career-building prizes.
Adding insight into Big Break Ka’anapali was four-time PGA TOUR winner Andrew Magee and the Senior Editor for Golf for Women Magazine, as well as the host of Golf Channel’s Golf with Style’s, Stina Sternberg. During each episode the two add expert analysis and insight into the world these competitors are thriving to join and the journey they take to attempt to get there.
And the best tours in the world have been the destination for Big Break winners. Past champions have competed on some of the world’s top professional tours, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour.
Former Big Break winner Tommy Gainey is a rookie on the PGA TOUR, and former female Big Breakers are currently members of the LPGA Tour.
Big Break Ka’anapali was shot along one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. Located on Maui, Ka’anapali Golf Resort is rich in history and tradition. As the state’s first planned resort destination, Ka’anapali established a pinnacle for other destinations on the islands to strive to attain over the years with two 18-hole golf courses – both of which were used for the filming of Big Break Ka’anapali.
With 36 holes of championship golf, Ka’anapali has 45 years of tournament history and has hosted the Champions Tour Ka’anapali Classic, the LPGA’s Kemper Open, the Canada Cup, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf and hosted the Wendy’s Champions SKINS GAME in February 2008.
The Royal Ka’anapali Course, a Trent Jones design, is a demanding par 71 course with undulating greens and has tested the skills of Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino and Jan Stephenson.
The Ka’anapali Kai Course, a par 70, is a shot maker’s delight with the focus on strategy and club selection, with beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands from every vantage point.
Welch consistently hit the ball past Sandolo’s tee shot by 30 yards and, after settling down an erratic putter that plagued her throughout the series, capitalized on her advantage to earn an exemption to play in the 2008 Navistar LPGA Classic, Sept. 25-28.
Tied through nine holes, Welch took control with a birdie on the 10th hole of the match and increased it to two the following hole, courtesy of a Sandolo bogey. Welch added another birdie four holes later to win the ninth edition of the Golf Channel series.
In addition to earning the exemption to play in the LPGA event, Welch will have all entry fees to play in 2009 Futures Tour events waived as well as an Adams Golf endorsement contract, which includes $10,000 cash.
Finally, BMW awarded Welch a Z4 Coupe and will send her to the BMW Manufacturing Plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where the Z4 is built. Once there, she will have the opportunity to tour BMW’s Manufacturing facility and receive a full day of driving with a professional instructor at the BMW Performance Center.
The Big Break concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her “Big Break,” a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in select professional tournaments, and other career-building prizes.
Adding insight into Big Break Ka’anapali was four-time PGA TOUR winner Andrew Magee and the Senior Editor for Golf for Women Magazine, as well as the host of Golf Channel’s Golf with Style’s, Stina Sternberg. During each episode the two add expert analysis and insight into the world these competitors are thriving to join and the journey they take to attempt to get there.
And the best tours in the world have been the destination for Big Break winners. Past champions have competed on some of the world’s top professional tours, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour.
Former Big Break winner Tommy Gainey is a rookie on the PGA TOUR, and former female Big Breakers are currently members of the LPGA Tour.
Big Break Ka’anapali was shot along one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. Located on Maui, Ka’anapali Golf Resort is rich in history and tradition. As the state’s first planned resort destination, Ka’anapali established a pinnacle for other destinations on the islands to strive to attain over the years with two 18-hole golf courses – both of which were used for the filming of Big Break Ka’anapali.
With 36 holes of championship golf, Ka’anapali has 45 years of tournament history and has hosted the Champions Tour Ka’anapali Classic, the LPGA’s Kemper Open, the Canada Cup, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf and hosted the Wendy’s Champions SKINS GAME in February 2008.
The Royal Ka’anapali Course, a Trent Jones design, is a demanding par 71 course with undulating greens and has tested the skills of Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino and Jan Stephenson.
The Ka’anapali Kai Course, a par 70, is a shot maker’s delight with the focus on strategy and club selection, with beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands from every vantage point.
KIM WELCH FAN wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:29 AM: