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The Big Break

Big Break’s Tina Miller Speaks of Life After The Big Break

I received a response from Tina Miller several months after posting some questions to her website. I went back to her site today (tinamillergolf.com) and it appears to be down (don’t know if this is temporary or permanent). But here are her responses – Enjoy!

Andy,

Defending Champ Tina Miller from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Defending Champ Tina Miller from The Big Break Ka'anapali

Hi Tina, Just wanted to know if you’ve been following the Big Break PEI? If so, what are your impressions? Do you get a sense of nostalgia? Who’s going to win Derek or Blair and why will he/she? How has your appearance on The Big Break given you a break in golf and/or life? Are you willing to put your title of Hottest Big Breaker on the line against the latest group of women to grace The Big Break? Does The Golf Channel cast Big Breakers on their personalities and looks as well as their golf games? It seems like they are looking for certain personality types to create drama. Or does drama just unfold whenever you put a bunch of people together in front of a camera? Also I see you Twitter and have been following your tweets. Oh one more, who do you keep in touch with from The Big Break? Sorry about the long-winded-ness, Andy

Thank you for your amazing questions and sorry I got back to them so late!

Always watching Big Break brings back amazing memories. I must admit I did not watch too much of Big Break PEI after my friend Kim Kouwabunpat was knocked off. I prefer the all-male or all-female casts. I am really into Big Break Disney and happy to see my friend Courtney Erdman’s husband, Kevin, still in the game!

I am honored you thought of me as hottest Big Breaker, (Editor’s note – Tina was voted hottest big breaker on a poll on this site – I personally had her near the top but had to give my top votes to Kim Welch and the original Columbian vixen, Valeria Ochoa) however many of the girls before me and after me are amazing beautiful athletes and I think that each of us brings a unique look, game and personality to the table. I hope I am beautiful in my fans eyes for my personality because I think I do have a great one!!!

Golf Channel casts personalities based on exactly that, personalities. Some create drama while in the heat of the moment, others are drama seeking 24/7, it is just a matter of luck really if they get 12 cast members who all have typeA personalities. One things that is for sure they really do try and give people who need a Big Break an opportunity. Some people have great resumes while others do not…its just chance really.

I am on twitter! I do enjoy tweeting because it is such an easy way to let people into my life. I keep in touch with many former Big Breakers including: Kristina Tucker (BBV), Ashely Prange (BBV), Courtney Erdman (Ka’anapali),and Kim Kouwabunpat (PEI), Ashley Gomes (BB6 & 7). I played a few charity events this summer and ran into some former Big Breakers like Christina Lecuyer and Susan Choi, from Ka’anapali. Many of the girls have their own websites, facebook pages and myspace pages. I do not have a facebook page but I love to Twitter!

Thanks for your questions and SO sorry in the delay in response. I did not think to even check the Q&A portion of my site because I was not competing and did not realize all the people who still want to hear from me!!!

Tina Miller

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The Big Break

Vote for the hottest Big Breaker

Another season of The Big Break has come and gone but the most recent season has left us with some new faces. So why not another poll to determine the hottest big breaker of all time. Tina Miller is currently our defending champion. Given her web savvy, she may remain as such but she’ll have to go up against the likes of Nicole Sikora, Gerina Mendoza, and Blair O’Neal. And Blair seems pretty web savvy herself. Kim Welch ain’t no internet slouch neithers as she twitters and is on facebook. Of course, she got my vote. Meow!

So let’s introduce the contestants.

Gerina Mendoza from The Big Break Prince Edward Island
Gerina Mendoza from The Big Break Prince Edward Island

Nicole Sikora from The Big Break Prince Edward Island
Nicole Sikora from The Big Break Prince Edward Island
Blair O'Neal from The Big Break Prince Edward Island
Blair O'Neal from The Big Break Prince Edward Island
Kim Welch from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Kim Welch from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Courtney Erdman from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Courtney Erdman from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Christina Lecuyer from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Christina Lecuyer from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Samantha Head from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Samantha Head from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Elizabeth Stuart from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Elizabeth Stuart from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Cirbie Sheppard from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Cirbie Sheppard from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Defending Champ Tina Miller from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Defending Champ Tina Miller from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Susan Choi from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Susan Choi from The Big Break Ka'anapali
Valeria Ochoa
Valeria Ochoa
Briana Vega
Briana Vega

And now let the voting begin . . .

n

n

n

{democracy:6}
Categories
The Big Break

Derek Wins Big Break Prince Edward Island

Was it any surprise?

Derek took on Blair in The Big Break final. Blair got off to an early birdie and a one shot lead on the first hole but quickly surrendered that lead. She fell to three shots behind with three holes to go and never threatened Derek.

Derek managed to not get in too much trouble off the tee (which had been his weakness in earlier shows) and Blair’s putter never got going. In the end, the difference appeared to be Derek’s iron play. He stuck it close time after time and Blair (who was often left with the shorter approach) couldn’t get inside of him.

The rest of the Big Breakers were on hand to cheer them on. They all seemed overly sedate. Robert didn’t say a thing throughout the show and seemed to still be stewing over his early departure. Nicole was none too happy either and good ol’ Brenda was the first to run up and hug Derek when he finished (at least that’s what The Golf Channel chose to show). The budding romance between Derek and Nicole must have got deep-sixed by Derek soon after it started. Gerina was pulling for Derek so she wouldn’t feel so bad about being eliminated before the final. No quotes were offered from Eugene. Brian only had one pithy comment.

Blair was awarded a nominal second place prize – a 5 night stay at the golf course. I doubt she’ll ever come back.

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The Big Break

Big Breakers on the Duramed Futures Tour

Lori Atsedes – 36th on money list with $6433 with best finish of T5

Kim Welch – 46th on money list with $5310 and best finish T7

Caroline Larrson – 48th with $4883 and best finish T12

Gerina Mendoza – 52nd with $4,537 and best finish T14

Briana Vega – 99th on money list with $2,162 and best finish T30

James Oborny – please don’t steal my content.

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The Big Break

Tina Miller Twitters

Yes that’s right, the hottest golfer to ever grace The Big Break (according to the readers out there and thanks in part to Tina Miller’s fan club) twitters.

follow her on Twitter – I am.

Personally, Kim “Kitty” Welch gets my me – effin’ – ow but I’ll put Tina in a tie for second with that red hot Columbian Valeria Ochoa.

Which all reminds me – should I have another Big Break hotness poll? We’ve got Nicole, Blair, Gerina and many other new faces to add to the mix. Perhaps I should throw in several of the men as well? Ooo, sounds like a good idea.

James Oborny please don’t steal my content.

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The Big Break

Big Break Prince Edward Island – That was huge!

I haven’t written about The Big Break Prince Edward Island in a while but I have been keeping up with the episodes. Let’s sum up what’s happened and get up to date.

Three episodes ago, Eugene found himself in the elimination round with Derek and Gerina. Eugene went into total meltdown mode after hitting a couple bad shots and just started castigating himself. It got so bad that he still couldn’t snap out of it even after Gerina fluffed one out of the sand and left the door wide open for him. Eugene should be the poster boy for the power of positive thinking or maybe the drastic effects of negative thinking.

Two episodes ago, Aaron departed the Big Break PEI. This may have been the episode where Blair drained a 50 foot putt to drive a nail in Aaron’s coffin. After looking extremely shakey early on, Blair is playing her best golf at the right time.

In the most recent episode, Brenda and Gerina went head to head as did Derek and Blair. Gerina had Brenda on the ropes twice but couldn’t close the deal as Brenda made a timely putt to save her ass.

“Dude, Like that was huge!” said Brenda. Where did an Irish chick learn to talk like a valley girl?

If you recall, I questioned Derek’s ability to drive the ball straight. Sure enough, Blair smoked him when he couldn’t hit one in the fairway.

Derek and Gerina went into the elimination. Again, Derek hits his tee ball into the woods and has to chip out. Gerina has him on the ropes but leaves her approach 30 feet away. From about a hundie, Derek, stiffs it to a few feet and saves par.

“Dude, Like that was huge!” said Brenda.

Gerina two putts for par.

Next hole, Gerina is 100+ from the green. She smacks it 30 feet plus past the hole. Derek is 72 yards away and stiffs another to a few feet and birdie to survive to the next show.

“Dude, Like that was huge!” said Brenda.

and James Oborny please don’t steal my content.

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The Big Break

Big Break Prince Edward Island Player Rankings

Well we’ve got another edition of Big Break Prince Edward Island coming on tonight so might as well update the player rankings. But first a quote from Brian – now departed –

“If I played half as much as they have they couldn’t hold my underwear in their hands.” Not sure what he meant on that one but it was worth quoting.

6. Derek 11.5 points – Hit probably the most amazing shot in Big Break history on episode 6. Got to sit back and watch elimination again. Jury’s still out on Derek.

5. Brenda 12 points – Had one of her worst shows during episode 6. Gerina was able to strap her one her back and push her through the show.

4. Blair 13 points – Played fine in the individual competition but melted when teamed with Eugene. Episode 7 promises to test her mettle. Will she survive?

3. Eugene 13 points – Pulled Blair through and kept her out of elimination. Getting stronger with each show.

2. Aaron – 18 points – Was a complete disaster and put himself and Brian in the elimination. Was able to pick up his game but definitely not deserving of 2nd ranked status.

1. Gerina – 18.5 points – Stayed out of the fire and carried Brenda’s weight right out of the elimination.

At this point, I like Gerina, Eugene and Brenda to be in the final. Stay tuned.

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The Big Break

Brian next to depart The Big Break

It all comes down to putting in the end. Brian and Aaron found themselves in the most recent episode of The Big Break Prince Edward Island. Brian and Aaron had teamed up in the flop wall challenge. As part of that challenge, the losing team would go to elimination and compete against each other. Aaron’s poor execution put them in the elimination as he hit the flop wall on his first attempt and then failed to sink a 4-5 foot putt.

The elimination consisted of three holes of golf and each competitor got to choose one hole. Aaron chose a 358 yard par 4 that required a drive over water with a carry of 245 yards to clear the water. Brian chose a par 5. The competitors finished up on the downhill #18.

Aaron, of course, believed that Brian couldn’t carry the water on the 14th hole. Brian got up and ripped one over the water easily. In fact, he probably hit it around 270. I was amazed as he managed to hit three only around 215 in the driving grid challenge earlier. Aaron lost his drive right but managed to still have a shot from about 82 yards. He stuck that about 6 feet from the pin. This must have flustered Brian because he crushed his short approach to the back of the green and three putted for bogey. Aaron had a chance to take a 2 shot lead after one hole but missed his short putt.

Aaron teed off first on the next hole and, as seems to be customary on this show, lost his drive in the woods way left. Despite his claims of using strategy, Brian blindly stepped up to the tee with a driver as well and promptly lost his drive in the woods to the right. What are these idiots thinking? Take a three wood and hit it down the middle.

Aaron had no shot and left his second in the woods and finally managed to chip out on his third. Brian was able to advance his shot out of the woods and down the fairway for a simple approach of less than 100 yards. Aaron had just over 150 left for his fourth shot. He hit it way short and had a 35+ foot uphill putt for par. The door was wide open for Brian who also hit his short. Instead of rolling back down the hill, Brian’s ball checked and stopped. He had about 15 feet for birdie.

Aaron then hit a great putt for a tap in bogey. He went to tap in and missed that putt as well and finished with a double bogey.

So here we are, if Brian makes the birdie he goes to the final hole with a two shot lead. If he makes par, he still has a one shot advantage. His birdie putt lips out and he has 3-4 feet for par. What does he do? He blows the par putt and settles for bogey. They go into the last hole tied.

On 18, the Golf Channel shows Aaron teeing off first which may have been the result of some editing. Brian had the honor. Aaron finally rips a huge drive down the middle. Brian flares his out to the right and is left with 150+ into the green.

Here we go again. Brian rips his approach over the green and into the back bunker. He gets a fried egg lie on a downhill slope to a green that runs away from him.

Door wide open for Aaron who slams the door on his hand as he cranks his to the back of the green. Brian makes a great escape out of the bunker but is left with a long putt for par. He runs it by the hole and taps in for bogey. Aaron finally exhibits some putting skill and two putts for the win.

It was a poor exhibition of golf. Are these guys any good at all?

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The Big Break

Nicole says bye-bye to The Big Break

Wow, Brenda calls out Nicole in a head to head match and wipes the golf course with her. Nicole had no problem talking smack about Brenda either: “I’ll always be a better golfer than her.” Not on this particular day and not on this particular hole, you won’t. In fact, I don’t think Nicole hit one decent shot against Brenda. Nicole may be more in denial about her golfing abilities than Brian – if that’s possible. Compare her later quote: “I’ve never been to an elimination and it’s quite stressful.” Boy, her true colors came out at the end of this show. Anyhow on to the rankings:

7. Derek 9.5 points – This guy has duck hooked everything, and, in his head to head match against Brian, he yanks it into the woods yet again. He managed to get out and then hit an unbelievably lucky shot as he chipped in for eagle. I’m not convinced about this guy’s talent. He just got lucky. I’ll bet right now that he doesn’t make it to the final unless he has all kinds of room on the left.

6. Blair 10 points – “She is in total meltdown mode now.” Eugene smoked her in the head to head. Blair just hit one bad shot after another. The overall talent on this Big Break has to be the worst I’ve seen since the show started. To her credit, Blair hit two very nice bunker shots in the elimination round.

5. Eugene 10 points – Eugene is looking stronger and stronger on The Big Break but can he string together a few good shots? May be the sleeper of the show.

4. Brenda 11.5 points – Called out Nicole and closed her out no problem. Brenda is on a roll. Can she ride it out for a few more shows?

3. Brian 13.5 points – This guy has barely survived elimination on a couple occasions but he’s probably the best putter out there. Now if he can stay out of his own way as well as get one in play off the tee, he may be a force to be reckoned with. And we’ve got Brian quotes: “A bit longer putt than I suspected but that’s the nature of a pure shot.” “I hit it pure obviously, just swung a little too hard.”

2. Aaron – 14 points – He had a 30 yard chip to put pressure on Gerina and blew it 12-15 feet past the hole. He did hit some good bunker shots in the elimination round though. I think there’s a huge gap between him and Gerina and she smoked him head to head. He internalizes a lot of emotions and the volcano may explode.

1. Gerina – 16.5 points – She smoked a drive 290 against Aaron and had a 100 yard advantage on him off the tee. She is probably the Kim Welch of this Big Break. Despite Nicole’s claims, this girl is the real deal but you never know what will happen in this format. She has choked badly in the past as well.

At this point, I like Gerina, Eugene and Brenda to be in the final. Stay tuned.

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The Big Break

Big Break Player Rankings after 4th show

8. Blair – 7 points – Blair took advantage of Gerina’s duck hook tee shot and managed to beat her head to head. Probably shouldn’t be ranked last but I’m sure the ranking system will work itself out with a few more shows.

7. Derek – 8 points – Hit one decent shot and managed to win the immunity challenge. Caroline was more deserving but couldn’t pull off a third consecutive brilliant bunker shot.

6. Nicole – 8 points – Another one who should be higher in the rankings but hasn’t been to elimination yet. Steady and flying under the radar. What happened to her love affair with Derek? Never mentioned in show 4 after the build-up during the third episode.

5. Eugene – 9 points – Managed a couple nice shots in the elimination round but probably should be ranked lower.

4. Brenda – 9.5 points – This was her strongest show yet. She was on all day.

3. Brian – 10.5 points – Brian keeps hanging around. Played better than his show 3 disaster at least.

2. Aaron – 10.5 points – Overrated and all references to “The Iceman” were gone in show 4.

1. Gerina – 14 points– Gerina had her worst show so far in the fourth episode of The Big Break but managed to pull through with some clutch shots in the elimination round.

Time for more Brian quotes:

“I love Kim. I’m even attracted to her. We have so much in common. But, uh, this is business, brother.”

“I never, ever, not chip at least one in out of twenty five (from the bunker).”

“I swung too hard and hit it pure.”

“That told me how well executed the purity of the shot was.”

Bonehead blunders for show 4:

1. Caroline taking her sweet time hitting shots at the glass panes.
2. Caroline – for leaving it in the bunker in the elimination round.
3. Brian – After watching Caroline’s putt blow by the hole, he races his by the hole as well.
4. Aaron – for missing a 5 footer to win and be safe from elimination round.
5. Gerina – for duck hooking it out of play and going to elimination as a result.