Another "interesting" turn of events on Big Break Atlantis this week. We saw some good shots, some bad shots and some pretty darn ugly shots, but some of the worst shots (e.g. Gloriana's wasted shots on the first immunity challenge) were hit by golfers who ended up safe, and those who played some great shots (e.g. Zakiya's bunker shot to 3' 3") went home.
They say that golf is a game of inches; sadly the inches were not in Zakiya's favor this week. Seeing Aubrey get inside of her ball by just 2 inches to gain immunity would have made anyone feel sick. And you have to ask yourself, "Is that fair"? No, but golf is not fair - not by any stretch of the imagination.
I will miss Zakiya's spunk (still can't get over her not taking a mulligan with Yani last week) and her style. She'd never be allowed to play in clubs in Vancouver with her outfits, but I love them. I am sad we won't get to see the wardrobe she brought with her for the 2 weeks of filming.
Best of luck Zakiya in your new professional golfing career. If it doesn't work out, I am sure you could do very well in golf fashion design!
Once again I am pleased to have Natalia and Anya with me this week. It was a very stressful day for both of them, so let's hear more about how the day played out...(forgive the audio techincal diffculties with Natalia's interview - headset died :-()
Now Anya's analysis of the day and who she would have chosen for the "faceoff"...
Thanks again ladies for your insights. Same time next week!
Week two of Big Break Atlantis was sure full of suprises, eh?
Imagine being one those 3 rejected golfgals, broken hearted because no one picked them for their team, only to have the world's #1, Yani Tseng come in to save the day!
Imagine being on top of the world because you were one of the chosen few who made a team, only to have the rug pulled out from under you! Imagine being one of the strongest players going into the day's challenges, only to end that day taking the dreaded "walk".
Personally, I found Shannon's exit rather shocking. I thought she would go much farther - she's certainly got talent. There was a reason Zakiya picked her first on her team. And don't forget that in 2011 she ran up four top-4 finishes on the Cactus Tour in her first six events. Not too shabby!
Don't worry Shannon...remember Kristy McPherson took an early walk on her BB and ended up on the LPGA tour and the Solheim Cup team!
But hey...that's what the BB can do to you. Even Yani seemed to feel nervous before her flop shot. I was expecting much better results from her on that shot and subsequent putt, but I guess she's only human too. Another shocker! ;)
Yup...I was surprised a lot on Monday night.
This week I'm happy to have both Anya and Natalia joining me again to talk about "one bad putt", a very lucky "members' bounce" off a tree and cashing in for safety.
Let's hear first from Anya, who shares some cool behind-the-scene moments with Yani...
Next up, Natalia, who has been more of a spectator than competitor so far with her two immunities...
Thanks ladies!
Watching this episode it really hit home to me that golf really does seem to be 90% mental, 1% physical and 9% luck.
Yoga. Never been a big fan of it. Tried it a few times when I was much younger and discovered that what looks really easy, is actually hard. And I fell over a lot!
Give me some free weights, elastics and a treadmill and I'm fine. Putting me in a room with a bunch of tight young bodies sweating for a hour in stifling heat is like sitting me on the tracks of an oncoming train. My heart races, I panic and my survival instincts yell, "Run for your life!".
But I recently discovered that I was wrong. Wow, did I say that out loud? ;)
Yoga is the 15th club I need to add to my golf bag, if I want to improve all aspects of my game.
I was introduced to Katherine by my friend (and many of yours), Brian Allman -- past owner of Sweet Spot Golf (I still love my sweet 3 and 4 hybrids) and founder of a new social network for kids, Skidekids.
I discovered after talking with Katherine that my fear, uncertainty and doubt about yoga is not uncommon. But if you give it a chance, you will find that the benefits of yoga for your golf game far outweigh your apprehensions.
Check out my interview with Katherine to learn how yoga can improve your golf game and help lower your handicap.
If you want to learn more about Katherine's Yoga for Golfers online programs and classes, as well as her upcoming YFG teacher training certification on the Sunshine Coast, July 12 - 15, check out her website.
It's been almost a year since my last Big Break Indian Wells interview with champion David Byrne and the always entertaining Shank and Carl.
I sadly had to miss BB Ireland due to other commitments, but that only makes this new Big Break Atlantis that much more exciting for me.
As usual the stakes are high with the champion receiving an exception to the 2012 LPGA Kingsmill Championship, an Adams Golf endorsement contract (including $10K cash!), Dicks Sporting Goods $10K shopping spree, Atlantis Vacation for Two, and an Avis car rental credit for $10K. She can drive it all over the USA with her fully exempt status and all entry fees covered for a full season on the Symetra Tour.
Meghan Hardin
Sadly someone always has to be first to leave and it was especially heartbreaking to see the youngest of the 12 take the walk of shame after giving up college golf to play on the Big Break. Remember, all contestants have to be professionals to play.
As Aubrey said during Happy Hour, those 75 yards felt like 250. I am sure Meghan Hardin was feeling every onen of them when she found herself in elimination.
I knew none of this season's contestants, but if the preview show and first episode are any indication of what's coming, I think we're going to be seeing a lot of drama on and off the course.
I knew immediately that I wanted to interview Natalia, given she's a fellow Canuck and friends with David Byrne. And when I heard about Anya's story and saw her on the preview show, I just had to talk to her.
Natalia Ghilzon joins us this week from Windsor, Ontario.
This golfgal had a pretty relaxing time on Day 1 with just a piece of glass standing between her and immunity. It didn't take her long to break through that obstacle and take the rest of the day off.
Sitting on the bench is usually a bad thing in sports, but not on this show. Let's hear what she thought of that experience...
Thanks Natalia!
Golf has been a part of Anya Alvarez her entire life. Her father
is a longtime PGA of America teaching professional, and introduced her to the game at age 3.
6 years later, Anya's life was turned upside down. She was sexually abused by a
family friend who worked for her father at their home golf course. It took a long time for Anya to
dissociate from golf what she went through but through determination and family/friend support
Anya is now able to use golf as an outlet instead of seeing it as a source of pain. Quite a
young lady, eh?
Let's hear from her about her first day on the Big Break...
Here's more on Anya's story and her work with the KidSafe Foundation. I really encourage you to check it out and do what you can to help this very worthy cause.
Thanks ladies for your insights this week. I look forward to chatting with you next week about the team event where Yani Tseng becomes a ringer for one side. Can't wait to see that!
