Golfgal on GFW

GFW may be gone, but Golfgal's posts live on!

Just a quick post to say I've salvaged almost all of the posts I did for GFW that were lost when they closed their doors. 

Yes...the Big Break Ka'anapali interviews are back!

Gayle

Big Break Ka'anapali - Tina's Last Take on the Big Break

Well, this is the last interview for The Big Break Ka'anapali.  Sniff :-(

Tina Miller  and I share something in common - we are sad to see it end.  While Christina Lecuyer is not as fond of reminiscing about her BB experience (and she stayed quite a while), Tina has a different view - she may have been eliminated earlier, but she came away with a lot of fond memories.  I wonder sometimes if Christina would rather have had the Tina experience on the show but leave early.  I guess we'll never know.

I always enjoy my interviews with Tina because I never fail to learn something.  Today was no exception.  Did you know...

Better yet...I'll let Tina tell you...

Thanks Tina!  Best of luck at Q-school in the USA or Europe.  Love to see your name in LPGA lights soon.  You were very close once - you can do it.  Believe in yourself as others do and you'll do just fine.

I want to close this post with another big "Thank you!" to all the readers out there who have visited "Big Break Central" at GFW :).  I have had so much fun and you've all been great.  I feel like I know you.  I sure hope we can meet in person someday.  In fact, I wish I could quit my day job and do this fulltime, but then I'd need a sugar-golfdaddy :)

The good news is that Highway 18 is starting on July 22 and I'll be right there blogging all about it and interviewing the contestants just like I did for BB Ka'anapali.  In fact, I'm very excited to start it off with an interview with the host, Keri Murphy, on Friday.  I'll post that interview next week as a prelude to the show.

So I hope you'll join me again and tell me what you think of this new show and the contestants.  You know...together, we could write a book about reality golf TV!

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Photo of Tina Miller, courtesy www.Playgolfdesigns.com

Big Break Ka'anapali - Kim Celebrates Victory Finally

Can you imagine what it must have been like to keep silent for 7 months about the biggest break in your life!  LPGA exemption, new BMW, cash, sponsorship from Adam's Golf....WOW!  Kim Welch must have been bursting at the seams of those great outfits she wears.

This week Kim gave us a bit of a scare being behind early in the match, down 2 after 5 holes, but she did what she needed to do in match play to win - be patient.  It reminded me of Tiger all those years ago when he was still an amateur coming from behind to clinch yet another championship.   Patience is indeed a virtue and it paid off big time!  And what was really great about it --- NO DRAMA REQUIRED!

Let's hear what our champion and next LPGA contender had to say about her win and experience on The Big Break Ka'anapali

Congratulations Kim!  You are a true champion and you deserved to win.  But I have the same question I asked when I first talked to you....How are you going to get a sponsor's logo on all those bandannas of yours :)

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

The Big Break Ka'anapali - Bandanna Babes Battle it Out on Big Break

Last week on The Big Break Ka'anapali,  Lori  said in her exit interview with Stina that she thought that Sophie had the advantage over Kim IF she continued to play the way she had been up until today.  Certainly she demonstrated an amazing short game that was superior to Kim's and many of the other contestants over the past 11 episodes.  Watching her take the first hole tonight was impressive and then to be 2 up after 5 holes, I bet she thought this was going to be her day.  I know I did. WRONG!

Two  holes later, they're back to "all square" and Sophie looks like her bandanna is starting to feel just a little bit tighter around her throat.

Let's hear what Lori thought of Sophie and Kim's final match and what surprised her the most.

As you know, Kim and Lori play a lot together on The Duramed Futures Tour and in September we'll see Kim up against the likes of Lorena Ochoa at The Navistar Classic with her coveted LPGA exemption.  I know Lori will be cheering her on, along with all of us. 

Thank you Lori for your willingness to share your thoughts and opinions every week on this blog.  It hasn't always been easy, but you've stuck with us and I really appreciate your support.  I loved your blog postings every week as well on TGC.  You should keep writing - you're a natural :)

Best of luck on tour!

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Big Break Ka'anapali - And the winner is...

The Big Hitting Bomber, Kim Welch!

Surprise!!! Well, okay, maybe not. I think that this was the only show where I actually guessed the right winner on The Big Break Ka'anapali.  Although it started off with Calendar Girl, Sophie Sandolo taking an early lead, Kim held steady while Sophie lost her focus and confidence.  And like so many putts tonight, after the 7th hole, it was all downhill from there for the lady who said, "Are we going to get any easy putts?"  Sorry Sophie...not on this course.

As is the custom every week, I spoke first to the lady who is responsible for all of these interviews.  She kicked off BB Central on GFW on March 26 and she stuck with it to the bitter end.  And as we all know, it was pretty bitter.

Let's hear one more time from Christina Lecuyer and what she thought of tonight's 18 hole match play final.

So as much as it was a "once in a lifetime" experience, for Christina, it is not suprising that she's happy to walk away from the BB and move forward in her golfing career.  I think we'll be seeing a lot more of her in the future.  Q-school is only a couple of months away and if her game continues to improve as she said it has lately, I wouldn't be suprised to see her make it this time.  She came so close before and as we know...this girl never gives up! 

But what we won't see is Christina on another Big Break.  She's been there...done that...and it's pretty clear, she won't do it again.  And who can blame her.

Thanks again Christina and the very best of luck to you!

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Big Break Ka'anapali - Episode 11: Tina's Take On Lori's Loss

Well, we're really winding down on The Big Break Ka'anapali and I'm starting to feel a bit sad about it being over in just 1 week (although getting a good night's sleep on Tuesdays will be a nice change :)). 

I've gotten to know so many of the ladies and they each bring a unique perspective on the series.  Everyone in the show has fans and foes, but they have all been great sports for being part of this post-episode analysis each week.

I really enjoy Tina Miller's take on each week's episode, and given the number of people who read/listen to her interviews each week, I can see she's a favorite with a lot of you out there.  I think you'll enjoy this week's interview just like all the rest.

Well, it's USA verus Europe next week.  I wonder if we'll see an upset or if we'll say, "Oh...I knew it all along." :)

No matter what happens, we do know we'll see some serious golf, played by serious players with serious prizes waiting for the winner.  Just to remind you what the winner gets...

1)  Tournament exemption on the LPGA Tour
2)  All entry fees for the 2009 Duramed FUTURES Tour waived
3)  Adams Golf endorsement contract, including $10,000 cash
4)  BMW Z4 Coupe which comes with a tour of the manufacturing plant and a full day of driving with a pro instructor at  the BMW Performance Center.

When you look at this list and listen to the ladies talk about how hard it is to make ends meet on the mini-tours (and it really is hard!), you can start to understand why things got so ugly so early.  These girls wanted needed this Big Break so badly, it affected their game, their personalities, their behaviors, their sportsmanship and ultimately their careers.

Suddenly all that drama doesn't look so shocking anymore.

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Photos of Tina courtesy of: Tina Miller and Golf Digest Japan: Tomoka Ikeda

Big Break Ka'anapali - Episode 11: Kim plays it safe and smart

I don't really think many people who've been following The Big Break Ka'anapali was at all surprised to see Kim Welch end up in the final match.  But I bet many didn't expect to see her play as conservatively as she did.  Certainly Stina and Andrew were surprised that she didn't come out with her driver blazing and hit those 300+ drives.

And I'm sure a number of you (me included :)) were a bit disappointed that there weren't more "oh wow" shots from her. But as Kim said herself...she doesn't always play like that.  She goes into matches with a strategy and she plays smart, which isn't always dramatic.  Let's not forget Tiger playing it smart with iron shots off the tee at the British Open. 

Let's hear more from Kim on last night's episode and how she felt watching Lori's putting miseries.

Next week Sophie will have Europe on her side and North America will likely be cheering for Kim.  It almost feels like a Ryder/Solhiem Cup match.  The Golf Channel couldn't have scripted it much better than this!

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Big Break Ka'anapali - Episode 11: Christina's thoughts on Lori's walk

Even though to us, it's a whole week ago, it's actually the afternoon of the same day that Christina was eliminated from The Big Break Ka'anapali.  Lori , her roommate, but in no way her bosom buddy, has just been eliminated only hours after Christina's demise at the hands clubs of Sophie.

What's Christina thinking now after watching Lori take the walk?  Let's find out...

Well, it sounds like Christina is not surprised to see these last 2 talented ladies go into the final round. Her take on "who would benefit the most" is quite interesting.  I'm curious what you think about her analysis.

Anyway...we should expect to see some serious golf next week and very little drama.  Hmmm...I guess that's a good thing?  I don't know - I was getting a little hooked on the drama myself.  I can't believe I actually wrote that :)

I sure hope Kim plays more aggressively than she did this week - we love those 300+ drives!  It was interesting what Christina said..."Par will get you close to the top, but it may not make you win."  I wonder if that's a message of things to come.  Or...perhaps Kim's just got more brains than her obvious brawn and knows that Par is enough with Sophie.  I don't know...Two weeks ago, I would have said, "No problem."  But, Sophie's a trickster...maybe, just maybe, we'll see a European win the Big Break Ka'anapali.  Wouldn't that be a shock - one of the top 10 sexiest players in golf just might take home the big prize.

Can't wait to watch!

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Big Break Ka'anapali - Episode 11: Lori at a loss with her putter

Well, The Big Break Ka'anapali shocked me again -- Lori was beaten by Sophie. 

I know...I know...Kim was there too.  But Kim, I understood and expected her to be in the final 2-some. But, Sophie?  Nope...I did not see that coming.  I was shocked she beat Christina last week.  I didn't think she'd outlast Lori.  Oh my...wrong again!

But...did Sophie really beat Lori OR did Lori beat herself like she said Christina did last week?

We won't know until we talk to the Big Breaker herself.  Lori...what happened?  It was like your putter was on steroids...

Line versus pace - hey...we've all been there!  I am embarrassed to say I 3-putted a few too many greens today myself. Arg!!!  I just could not get the pace right on the greens today.  It seems that the harder you try, the harder it is to do what you want, and the more likely it is you do what you DON'T want to do.  I have no doubt that Lori tried her best - her best just wasn't really "her best".

I think all of us would agree, we didn't see the real Lori out there tonight.   Something was off - her putting was not even close to what we expect of her.  But hey..."that's golf"!

So what do you think we'll see next week?  Will Sophie shock us again! I guess we won't know until next time. Hope to see you all back her for Kim, Lori, Christina and Tina's take on the final episode!

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Big Break Ka'anapali Episode 10: Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right

Since the day that Christina "choked" on her words on The Big Break Ka'anapali, I've been waiting to see what Tina Miller would say about Christina being eliminated (if she didn't win of course) and how would she react to her joining the others who had left the show.  I assumed she'd say something like...  "Serves you right!  What goes around comes around!  It's about time!"

Well, this week we found out what really happened and guess what Tina did...You'll have to listen to find out :). 

So what did you think about that interview?  Did you ever in your wildest dreams think that Tina and Christina would be Christmas shopping together?  LOL!  The next thing we'll hear is that Lori and Christina are sharing a house in California and playing Duramed Futures Tour practice rounds together. Haha...

Maybe it is all made up drama on the BB OR maybe Tina is just one classy golfgal.  I know what I think...what about you?

Golfgal

www.golfgal-blog.com

Photos of Tina Miller, courtesy www.Playgolfdesigns.com and 2008 Sunice Company