Carling Coffing is the Big Break Sandals Champion!

And rightly so!

The old adage, "Drive for show; Putt for Dough!" certainly rang true on those 18 holes.  Lili said it best, "Carling was a putting machine!" Wow!

What a perfect ending to probably my favorite Big Break of all time.  Lili is certainly a great player and I feel badly for her that she won't be able to play in Lorena's tournament, but Carling is a well deserving champion. I'm so happy she was open to my interviews every week.

People always ask me if I know who will win.  I never do.  I pick some names based on reading their bios and watching their videos on Golf Channel.   If my choices are eliminated, I add more to the mix.  I did try to talk to Lili right at the beginning, but could never connect with her.  Too bad.  But at least I wasn't really torn between contestants last night.  It made it a bit easier.

This Big Break had just the right about of drama, without going over the top like some others (Ka'anapali & Michigan come to mind).  I liked how they introduced Send/Save as well, but it would have been more interesting to have someone "sent".  Yes, I do have a nasty side from time to time.

The only thing I missed was the wall shot.  Not sure why they took that out of the show, but it was always fun to watch the contestants try and flop it.

Carling is having a crazy busy day today after her win, but she was kind enough to squeeze me into her busy schedule.  She's that kinda golfgal.  Not all other winners have done that in the past.  Thanks Carling!



Well, Carling, you should publish that drill book - I'll be your first customer!

Caught up with Sara Brown in Florida this week while she was having fun with her college buddies. Oh to be young again! She shared her thoughts on the final show and how excited she is about being part of Big Break Dominican Republic.

Earlier this week, I invited one of my readers, Bluefalcon, to provide a pre-show commentary on the blog.  I am pleased to offer you his post-episode comments here (could never fit this into Blogger's commenting window :)).  These are his comments...we don't always agree, but I sure do appreciate where he's coming from...

The best season in BB history came to an end on Monday night with the "Big Break Sandals Resorts" finale, and while I wouldn't call it an epic or classic finale, it was definitely intriguing and compelling. 

 

From the very beginning, I felt that Carling Coffing had an advantage over her playing competitor, Lili Alvarez. In the pre-match interview, Lili was talking about how she was thinking about her friends, family, the Lorena Ochoa Invitational-one of the tournament exemptions on offer-so clearly she was thinking about things other than playing Carling. Carling, on the other hand, was focused on what was directly in front of her; winning the match.  Even when Paul the Butler was wishing the ladies luck, Carling was relaxed and calm, while Lili looked grim and distracted.

 

When the format for the event was announced as match play, I immediately felt that Carling would have an advantage. Why?  Something Lili said previously about Carling being the type of player-I'm paraphrasing here-who would just par and par and par you to death.  That's the type of player who can do well in a match play environment.

 

Game on!  All square thru 1 as Carling's putt burns the edge of the hole. On hole 2, Carling dunks her tee shot.  Lili takes advantage. Lili 1up thru 2.

 

On Hole 3, Lili gets lucky while Carling finds the sand.  However, Carling would prove to be strong out of the bunker, and even better on the greens, while Lili's putter started cold and would barely break lukewarm the rest of the way.  This was the first signs of cracks in Lili's armor, as she was clearly frustrated and cursing after missing a putt. That, sadly for Lili, was a harbinger of things to come.

 

Holes 5-6, Carling striping her irons and wedges, the hole looking to Lili like the circumference of the eye of a needle.  Both ladies in the hazard at 7, first Lili, then Carling followed her in.  Another example of Lili pressing off the tee.  Neither capitilized on the other's mistakes.  However, Carling was being helped by a hot putter.  Lili, being hurt by her cold one. AS thru 9.

 

Hole 10, Lili with another huge mistake, opening the door for CC rider-I'm dating myself there-but Lili FINALLY! makes a putt.  AS.

 

Both stumble at 11. Carling calls upon the Short Game Doctor from the bunker, but sadly, all she gets is a first year intern.  Lili finally seems to be getting momentum. Lili 1 up thru 11.  First time Carling is panicking.

 

Lili makes ANOTHER mistake at 12. WTF, Lili?! Carling's similarly off line.  However, for the first time, Lili's approach shot is butter!  But once again, Lili can't make a putt to save her life!  Carling also can't get it done.

 

Carling with a LASER at 13!  Lili trying to convince us-and herself-that she's okay. In fact, she's not.  Lili still has an arctic putter.  Carling with the dagger at 13! This, to me, was the story of the match. Carling's putter was hotter than July; Lili's was frigid as December in New York. 

 

Lili tries to apply tourniquet on 15.  Still bleeding profusely after another horrible tee shot.  Carling plays smart, but muffs her approach to a side hill lie.  Lili sticks her approach, but once again, the putter is not on Lili's side.  Carling lets her off the hook, however.

 

Lili on 16, off the rocks, into the fairway, nothing but net.  Carling again, can't take advantage; makes poor shot of her own.  Lili makes adequate approach, but again, Carling fails to walk through open door.  Lili mentions if her game continues like this as a pro, she may be retired by 31. (Lorena Ochoa retired at 28; if Lili continues to play like this, she may be out at 28 as well!)  However, Lili does staunch the bleeding a bit on the green.

 

Lili strikes with lightning's hand at 17.  Carling can't do same.  However, Carling drops a dime from 25 feet!  Way to go, Carling!  Once again, the story of the match is Lili's putter failing her yet again.

 

Penultimate hole. Lili makes yet another MASSIVE blunder, hitting her ball behind a small tree. Stick a fork in Lili, she's done!  Not quite.  Carling's approach not her best shot, but not bad. Lili gets out of jail with great shot.  However, again, the putter-the one club where nerves and emotions can have a negative effect-is Lili's anathema. Carling WINS!   Congratulations to both ladies, Lili for being classy all the way through and Carling for earning a hard fought win. 

 

While I admittedly have issues with some of Carling's actions-Gayle and I clearly disagree on this issue-Carling is certainly a deserving winner and has the kind of personality which will serve her well wherever she goes and whatever she does.

 

This was by far the best "Big Break" season for me, in no small part because this was the most physically attractive cast in series history; there was a swimsuit calendar made with the cast of "Big Break 5, Hawaii".  Frankly, this would have been a better cast to do that with. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case.  Another reason for enjoying this season: a lack of on-camera drama.

Haha...Bluefalcon, blue through and through (assuming blue is for boys and pink for us golfgals). Thanks so much for putting so much thought and effort into this!

So Sept 29th we start the drama all over again with Big Break DR.  Who should I interview on that show?  Here's the cast (I've bolded the ones I've interviewed during past shows - it will be great to reconnect with them, but please not after every show!). 

Andrew Giuliani (New York, N.Y. – Big Break Disney Golf)

David Mobley (Charlotte, N.C. – Big Break Michigan)

Blake Moore (Denver, Colo. – Big Break Disney Golf)

Anthony Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas – Big Break Mesquite)

Brian Skatell (Greensburg, Pa. – Big Break Prince Edward Island)

William “Football” Thompson (Bracey, Va. – Big Break Prince Edward Island)

Lori Atsedes (Orlando, Fla. – Big Break Ka’anapali)

Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz. – Big Break Sandals Resorts)

Christina Lecuyer (Conway, Ark. – Big Break Ka’anapali)

Brenda McLarnon (Charleston, S.C. – Big Break Prince Edward Island)

Blair O’Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz. – Big Break Prince Edward Island)

Elena Robles (Redondo Beach, Calif. – Big Break Sandals Resorts)

Check out the preview trailer.  Looks like a very "dramatic" series ;)

Stay tuned for a preview post!

Golfgal

Bluefalcon previews the Big Break Sandals Resorts finale

This is the first time ever that I have invited a reader of this blog to contribute their thoughts on a Big Break series outside of normal comments, and I am so glad that I did.  

In the last couple of weeks, I have enjoyed the comments from Bluefalcon from New York on my Big Break Sandals posts and believe his insights and commentary will add a lot to the finale epsiode.  So here's his analysis of the two finalists...


It started with eleven, and ends with two.  After 10 weeks-of TV time-and frequent alternations of excitement and heartbreak, the best season of Golf Channel's Big Break series, "Big Break Sandals Resorts" concludes with two women,

Lili Alvarez and Carling Coffing, dueling it out for the title and the largesse that comes with it.  Both are deserving of their spot in the finals; both have won immunity, both have gone to elimiations multiple times and both have come out intact. Now, however, only one with emerge victorious.  Below is a thumbnail sketch of both combatants.

Lili Alvarez.  Lili's game can be summed up in three words; Pasion y Poder.  Passion and Power. Lili's fiery demeanor serves her well on the golf course, she's very much a player who plays with emotion.  Lili is long off the tee, longer than Carling, but she hasn't been quite as consistent with the short irons and wedges as Carling has been.  There is also the Sword of Damacles that has been hanging over Lili from the beginning of this contest: one of the prizes on offer to the winner of the competiton, an exemption in the 2010 Lorena Ochoa Invitational.  Lili wants this badly, and at times, she has been distracted from the task at hand because of it.  One big key for Lili to win is staying in the moment. She's gotten away with losing focus so far; with so much on the line now, Lili may not have the leeway to be distracted this time.

Carling Coffing. While Carling has done things that I have found royally irritating-the Birdie Dance, the stalking her fellow competitors after winning the Save/Send card-she has also done a lot of endearing things, not the least of which is playing well.  Carling isn't as long as Lili off the tee, but she can hang.  What Carling does very well, however, is produce with her short irons and wedges. She's been deadly all tournament with them. However, she has also made more mistakes than Lili has. But, Carling has one other advantage. She is not as emotionally attached to the prizes as Lili is. That could be very big in her favor.

Prediction:  I'm going to cop out and not make one.  There are simply too many variables-the course, the weather, motivation,handling pressure-to make a fair prediction.  However, whichever woman wins will be a deserving winner. All that's left for me to say is play well and let the best woman win.

Bluefalon, NY

Hey,  I think that says it all (although I do like Carling's birdie dance ;)).   Thank you so much Bluefalcon for setting tonight's stage for us.

I guess we'll know in just a few hours who wins BB Sandals.  Both women are already winners in my mind. It's really down to who takes home the prize.  But whoever it is, she will deserve it!

Golfgal

Bring women's golf back to Arizona & fill the Q-school gap

Did you know there hasn't been a professional women's golf event in Arizona since 2002?

Arizona lost the Tucson LPGA event a few years ago and the Phoenix event this year.  Nothing has replaced them.    How can that be?  Arizona is like golf mecca for goodness sake!  Where are the ladies??!!

It's such a sad state of affairs...

But thankfully, people like Mike Brown (AKA Sara Brown of Big Break Sandals' dad) and Bruce Condon of the Cactus Tour decided to do something about it. They formed a new tournament -- the Arizona Women's Open.

I had the opportunity to chat Mike about why he chose now to insert this new event into the ladies' fall series and what it was all about...

Mike Brown: Well, why we are doing it now is very simple. There's no place for women to play between the two stages of LPGA Q-School, for any sizable purse. There's nothing. You go to first stage either in Arizona or Florida and get out, and then you've got this big break – no pun intended – where there's just nothing.

So I've been thinking about it, and I talked to Bruce Condon who's been running the Cactus Tour up in Phoenix. We got together and decided to create the Arizona Women’s Open – a professional event between the 1st stage of the LPGA Q-School and the final stage LPGA Q-School; the timing is perfect.


Golfgal: Are there other Opens out there for women that are good?

Mike Brown: There are a couple of really good state Opens in the country that I'm aware of. Not that any of them are bad, but the Colorado Women's Open is probably the best that I've seen. The Michigan Women's Open is a very good one.

Lori Atsedes (from Big Break Ka’anapali) runs the Florida Women's Open. She does it the week before the first Duramed event in Florida.

Golfgal: Where and when will The Arizona Women's Open be held?

Mike Brown: We chose the Red course at the Wigwam Resort in the West Valley, October 19-21, 2010.


Golfgal: So who’s eligible to play in the event - just pros?

Mike Brown: It's a true Open with the professionals having priority up until the second or third week of September. But amateurs are invited; we'll take anybody. The charity we’ve chosen for this event is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Golfgal: So what kind of response have you gotten so far -- one, in terms of sponsorship, and, two, in terms of players signing up?

Mike Brown: Well, it's been interesting. Bruce is the Operations Guy and I'm the Mouth [Don't you laugh at me! ;) ] That time of year he has traditionally 20 to 30 Cactus Tour players that sign up anyway, and so he's thinking nothing less on that.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 so we can have a sizable purse that attracts the higher caliber players.

What's interesting is that most of the money that I have raised is from people that have no investment in golf. I had a fellow in Kentucky that has literally no vested interest in golf [he has helped high schools before], and he said, "I like what you're doing. Here's a grand."

The suppliers have said no. And it's like, "Well, you know, the economy." And I'm thinking, we have no women's golf in Arizona! Our goal is only a $50,000 purse. Even in this economy, that is not a lot of money.

I need ten people that can come up with $5,000. I already have one $5,000 contribution.

Golfgal: So what’s next?


Mike Brown: We're just trying to get the word out to as many people as we can. I can get it out to the Duramed players; Bruce can get it out to all the Cactus Tour players. I'm talking to anybody that has anything to do with women's golf.

And…we're still taking donations.

ARIZONA WOMEN’S OPEN SPONSOR LEVELS:

$1,000 Tees (each) 1 thru 18 (1 sign)

$1,000 #9 or #18 Green (1 sign)

$2,000 Putting Green (2 or 3 signs)

$2,000 Driving Range (2 or 3 signs)

$3,000 Clubhouse (2 or 3 signs)

$4,000 Scoreboard (2 signs)

$5,000 Corporate (banner + signs)

$10,00+ +Title Sponsor (banner and everything else)

All sponsors will be listed on the Tournament and Cactus Tour websites with their company link. They will also be on FaceBook and Twitter pages.

Well, there you have it.  It's good to see people like Mike and Bruce stepping up for Women's Golf!  Isn't it your turn?

If you would like to donate to this event (No gift is too small!) check out the Arizona Women’s Open page on Facebook or make out a check to:

2010 Arizona Womens Open

and send it to:

The Cactus Tour
884 S. Brentwood Place
Chandler, AZ 85224

Golfgal

Big Break Sandals 9: Sara said it best - "Elimination Sucks!"

Remember when long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski visited the Big Break set?  And remember what Sara did that day?  She drove her ball over 270 yards!  From that point on, everyone thought Sara's long game was rock solid.

But last night Sara faced a bit of a landslide with her driver.  Everyone who golfs knows what that feels like.  And everyone knows that when your favorite club fails you, it really hurts.  But having it turn on you in an elimination challenge...Well, that just sucks! 

Sara has been fun to chat with in my weekly BB interviews and a joy to watch on TV.  I have had the pleasure of watching Sara play live at our Canadian Tour events in Vancouver and I have no doubt that Sara will make it to the LPGA, with or without the Big Break.

Sara, I look forward to calling you to congratulate you on getting your tour card.  I am sure it will be sooner rather than later. You go girl!

Carling provided her typically entertaining interview this week, including inside information we didn't see on TV.  I love that!



Will try and catch up with Sara this week to get her final thoughts on the show and what's next for her in her golf career. Stay tuned...

Golfgal

Big Break Sandals 8: Taryn Takes a Tumble

I always hate it when the contestants I've come to know and interview finally take the walk on the Big Break. I never know when, or if, it will happen, but when you interview 3 ladies every week, you know for sure at least 2 of them will be in this position at some point.

Taryn was given two "Saves" by other contestants during the series and that might make one think that her game was not up to the level of some of the other players. 

But that "one" would be wrong.  Let's not forget that Taryn is the only contestant to play in a Major - she qualified as an amateur for the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open in Pinehurst.  And she was a tough cookie in the previous elimination challenges she found herself in.  She's no pushover!

Taryn certainly showed class, style and talent through her 8 episodes and she will be missed going into the final 2 shows by me and all her fans.

I spoke with Carling (Aquawoman) this week about Lili's immunity, her water shot, rock shot and Sara's self-imposed penalty.  It was certainly a exciting episode and Carling had lots to share about herself and fellow competitors...



Didn't get a chance to chat with Sara this week, but I did talk with her father about a great initiative he's involved with to support women's golf.  Check back with me later this week on that.

Golfgal

For The Love of Golf

In my writing and travels I have met a lot of interesting people including tour professionals, coaches, resort managers/directors and of course, passionate golfers. 

At this year’s US Senior Men’s Open, that tradition continued, where I was delighted to meet a fellow golf fan who not only loves the game, but lives and breathes it too – Mark Fennell from Washington State.

Mark was working the leader board at the 8th hole where I was standing waiting for players to arrive. We started chatting.  I discovered that Mark wasn’t a stranger to volunteering at professional golf tournaments (this was his 25th in the last ~20 years). I thought that was amazing, but then he went on to tell me that there are many volunteers with longer records than his.  Wow!

I learned a lot about the events he’s worked, but what really got my attention was his unabashed passion for the game.

Check out these photos of his office – do you think he ever gets any work done?

When he’s tired of staring at all the golf memorabilia, he heads home in his PGA Tour mobile…

…to a little piece of golf heaven right in his own backyard.

Mark (who’s email address is pgatour@***) admits that his obsession with golf may be a bit over the top… 

“I still don’t know if I have crossed the line with the property that I have, the license plate and email address.  Even my golf bag which I bought on eBay has PGATour in big letters.  I have a lot of PGA Tour branded clothing including shirts, shorts, socks, hats, and even a belt. Yeah, I don’t know if I’ve crossed that line, but I know I’m pushing it.”

Mark has two ponds, one big and one small in his backyard as well.  He calls them water hazards.  One is built on a slant, so he has railroad ties holding up part of it.  He calls that his Pete Dye effect, given Dye’s reputation for using railway ties in his designs.

He also has a green where he put the flag right in the middle of a tall tree stump that’s about 3 feet in diameter.  You’d have to pitch your ball 12 feet in the air to hole your putt on that green.   I’m sure glad he’s not the greens keeper at my club!

Mark is the first to laugh at himself about his fervor for golf, but the man has competitive drive as well.  “In my early 40s, I knew I was never going to make the PGA Tour, but then, I realized I can play with those old geezers out there.  I’ve had the US Senior Men’s Open at Sahalee on my radar and calendar for at least five or six years now.”

Mark signed up for the qualifying event at Salem with high hopes, “Hey, somebody has to win the event; why not me?  Going in, I was reminded of the line in the Tom Cruise movie, Days of Thunder, where he says, ‘I’m not going any faster; they’re just going slower.’  I don’t have to shoot a great score; they just have to shoot worse than me.  Who knows…you can get on a roll, and get a lucky bounce; you never know.  Miracles have happened, just ask Al Michaels. “

Mark admits he did not play his best in Salem and so his dream of playing in the US Senior Men’s Open at Sahalee with his son (who is in the army stationed in Iraq) on the bag did not come to pass.  But he still got inside-the-ropes at the Open as a volunteer – something even money couldn’t buy you at this year’s major.

Mark plans to volunteer at the US Open in San Francisco in 2012 and Chambers Bay in 2015.  But what’s keeping him focused right now is qualifying again for next year’s Senior Men’s US Open and then the US Senior Amateur when he turns 55.

Mark, I wish you a ton of luck and hope to see you walking the fairways someday with your son caddying for you.  Some may think your passion is a little “over the top”, but let me just say this, “Keep reaching higher Mark!  I too believe in miracles.”

Golfgal

Big Break Sandals 7: Lovely Lady's Luck Runs Out

Seema Sadekar, affectionately known as "Vegas" on the Big Break Sandals, will be remembered for many things during her 7 week appearance on the show, including a great shot on the 6th island green in episode 5, a fabulous wardrobe with lots of bling, and a run of good luck that baffled more than a few of us.

But unfortunately, that lovely lady ran out of luck this week.

Seema was very popular with the rest of the contestants, and one might think that she was considered less of a challenge.  But one would be wrong.  Seema is a talented golfer.

After graduating in 2007 and turning pro, Seema was the leading winner on the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Tour. That tour is no cakewalk and you don't get the top spot without having some serious game.

She's currently ranked 6th on that tour and I am hoping to see her play in the CN Canadian Women's Open LPGA event at the end of August.  Best of luck Seema!  


While Lili, Seema and Sara were being blown over by wind on the golf course, Carling enjoyed a leisurely day at the spa with Taryn after winning immunity.  It was fun to talk to her about this week's episode since she just saw what really happened for the first time last night.



Will try and connect with Sara and Taryn this week, so check back for those!

Golfgal