Auburn’s Jimmy Brandt Wins Golf Channel’s Big Break Myrtle Beach Reality Competition Series

(Photo credit: Mark Ashman/Golf Channel)

Brandt Defeats Toph Peterson 3&1 in Tuesday’s Season Finale

Brandt Earns Exemption to the 2015 Valspar Championship and More Than $100,000 in Cash and Prizes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jimmy Brandt (Auburn, Ala.) defeated Toph Peterson (Logan, Utah) 3&1 in the championship match on Tuesday’s finale of Big Break Myrtle Beach, Golf Channel’s 22nd season of its competition franchise.

Contested at the Fazio Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., the match was all square through nine holes, with Brandt winning three out of the first five holes on the back nine to take a commanding lead. After Peterson failed to convert his par on 17, he conceded the hole to Brandt, who closed out the match 3&1.

“I can’t believe it, this is surreal right now,” said an emotional Brandt following the conclusion of the match. “This is going to change my life. Biggest win of my career and the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.”

As champion of Big Break Myrtle Beach, Brandt will receive an invitation to compete in the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship, March 12-15, 2015. In addition, he will receive:

• $75,000 in cash, including $5,000 courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods, $10,000 courtesy of Macanudo and $10,000 courtesy of Adams Golf.
• Full, exempt status to the 2015 SwingThought.com Tour with all entry fees paid.
• An endorsement contract from Adams Golf.
• $10,000 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental.
• $10,000 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity.
• A seven-day, six-night all-expenses paid return trip to Myrtle Beach with accommodations provided by North Beach Plantation and six rounds of golf that can be played at any of Myrtle Beach’s 100 premiere golf courses.

As a result of winning challenge prizes during the course of the series, Brandt also earned:

• $7,500 cash, courtesy of Macanudo
• $2,500 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental

Peterson earned the following challenge prizes during the course of the series.

• $10,000 cash, courtesy of Macanudo
• $2,500 shopping spree, courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods
• $500 in travel credit, courtesy of Travelocity
• $2,500 in Avis Car Rental credit

SERIES FORMAT: Produced in partnership with Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and South Carolina Tourism and filmed at Barefoot Resort and Golf in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in June, Big Break Myrtle Beach featured a cast of 12 (six men and six women). Contestants were eliminated each week, with the last player standing being awarded his or her Big Break.

Golf Channel’s Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. For the past 21 seasons, Golf Channel’s Big Break competition series has proven to be the launching pad for many aspiring professional golfers looking to take that next step in their golf careers, including PGA TOUR winners Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey and Matt Every, and U.S. Solheim Cup participants Kristy McPherson, Gerina Piller and Ryann O’Toole, all playing full time on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour, respectively. Several other past Big Break competitors will be competing on the world’s top tours in 2015, including Tony Finau (PGA TOUR), Mallory Blackwelder, Katy Harris, Sadena Parks and Jackie Stoelting (LPGA Tour) and Rich Cochran, Hugo Leon, Justin Peters and Mark Silvers (Web.com Tour.)

Become a fan of Big Break on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BigBreak

Follow Big Break on Twitter @BigBreak


About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Customers of participating cable, satellite, telco and other video subscription services, are able to enjoy 24/7 streaming of live Golf Channel content through GolfChannel.com and Golf Channel’s mobile application, Golf Live Extra. Golf Channel’s digital platforms are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that connect the world to golf.


About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association comprised of 79 championship golf courses and 99 golf package providers in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the region’s thriving golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation.

Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help to foster continued growth of the game. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, MBGH manages the World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest single-site amateur golf tournament, the Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic, and the Myrtle Beach Never Forgets Memorial Golf Outing.


About South Carolina Tourism
Tourism is a top industry in South Carolina, with a total economic impact of more than $17 billion annually and employing one of every 10 people. SCPRT’s primary mission is to market the state as a preferred destination for vacations and travel. For more information, visit www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.


About Barefoot Resort & Golf
Barefoot Resort & Golf is a 2,300 acre residential golf community of uncompromised excellence. Located across the Intracoastal Waterway, it is connected to North Myrtle Beach by a historic swing bridge. Designed with a vastly different approach than most resort developments, Barefoot Resort & Golf strives to preserve the natural integrity of its coastal lands.

In one of the most ambitious golf course projects ever to hit the “Grand Strand”, Barefoot successfully opened four championship courses simultaneously, making it the only time a developer has opened four new courses at the same time in the United States. Our venue was designed by golf's most inspired architects; Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Each one fulfilled their goal in creating distinctive, visually striking and fun to play courses. Rated as the ‘Golf Course of the Year’ of the Myrtle Beach area and South Carolina state, Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play and Top 100 Courses in America, it’s no secret why Barefoot Resort & Golf is one of the most sought after golf destinations in the country.

Centrally located in the “Seaside Golf Capital of the World,” Barefoot Golf Vacations at Barefoot Resort offers an endless assortment of possibilities. Everything you need can be found at the resort or just a short drive away. The most requested golf package is the “Buy 3 and get 4th round free” on the Barefoot Resort Courses. There is no need to drive all over town with this all inclusive package. The package includes three nights lodging at a three diamond rated resort, four rounds of golf on four championship courses, all cart fees, taxes and daily breakfast at the Resort Clubhouse. For information on how to book your next golf vacation head on over to www.barefootgolfvactions.com and fill out a no obligation custom golf quote.