Sunshine Matters

Through our continued partnership with NBC Sports and the Golf Channel, VISIT FLORIDA is proud to announce the premiere of Big Break The Palm Beaches.  As season 23 of the reality golf competition kicks off tonight, this marks the second time in as many years that the show has been hosted in Florida – the first was held at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation in 2014 and now at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. 

“Big Break is a cornerstone of our original productions franchises, and we are excited to host the series at PGA National Resort & Spa, which has a tremendous amount of history,” said Jay Kossoff, Golf Channel Vice President of Original Productions and Big Break Executive Producer.  “Our goal is to place our competitors in pressure situations while showcasing an elite golf destination.  With The Bear Trap as the backdrop, the pressure will be even greater for our competitors trying to advance each week throughout the season.”

“Home to more than 160 public and private golf courses – from executive to championship level – The Palm Beaches offer the most impressive golf experience in Florida.  In fact, historically, this is where Florida’s first 18-hole golf course was built,” said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches. “Viewers who tune into Big Break this winter will witness what the region has to offer golfers.”

“It’s going to be thrilling to watch the Big Break contestants test their mettle against The Champion and mighty Bear Trap in competition,” says Joel Paige, Vice President and Managing Director of PGA National. “Over the 11 episodes, both the players vying to advance and viewers at home will see why we’re one of the world’s top golf destinations and the only Florida resort with five golf courses.”

Big Break The Palm Beaches is the continuation of a relationship between VISIT FLORIDA, NBC Sports and the Golf Channel that showcases Florida as a preferred destination for leisure travel.   With nearly 1,300 courses, ranges and miniature golf facilities to choose from in the Sunshine State, we look forward to this unique opportunity to reach Big Break’s audience of avid golf enthusiasts.

The show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness.  During Big Break The Palm Beaches, the cast of 12 male competitors – who were introduced during a kick-off event in New York City last month – will be subject to skills challenges from tee-to-green, including two of the series’ signature challenges, the popular “Glass Break” and “Flop Wall” challenges.  One contestant will be eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded his Big Break, an opportunity to compete on the PGA Tour.

The kick-off event for Big Break The Palm Beaches was a gala affair held at NBC Studios in New York on the set of Saturday Night LIVE.  The evening included brief presentations from the show producers, Jay Kossoff and Paul Schlegel, Big Break co-hosts Melanie Collins and Tom Abbot, Cheryl Hatcher, Director of Sales with VISIT FLORIDA, Jorge Pesquera, President and CEO of Discover the Palm Beaches, and Joel Paige, Managing Director with the PGA National Resort & Spa.  All 12 talented and diverse competitors – ranging from several collegiate All-Americans, multiple-time winners on various mini tours and an Iraq War Veteran looking to become the first amputee golfer to compete on the PGA Tour – were also in attendance to chat with the media.

More than 200 people gathered for the event, which included major news, travel and sports media from publications such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine, Travel and Leisure,  Conde Nast Traveler, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, USA Today, Golf Digest and ESPN The Magazine.  Also in attendance were a number of travel trade companies and meeting professional organizations and companies from around the New York metro area.

During VISIT FLORIDA’s presentation, Cheryl spoke of the three consecutive years of record visitation and visitor spending in Florida, as well as the more than 167,000 Floridians employed in the golfing industry who garner $4.7 billion of wage income. She also reminded the media of Florida’s long and rich golf tradition dating back to the 1880s when Henry Flagler built The Breakers Resort and commissioned the Ocean Course – the state’s first 18-hole course, and shared details on The Florida Historic Golf Trail – a collection of more than 50 historic courses – developed by the Florida Department of State.

This kick-off event was a wonderful way to showcase the No. 1 golfing destination in the world to significant meeting, travel trade and media representatives, just as the show will do for lovers of the sport around the country.  Please plan to watch the premiere episode tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on the Golf Channel, and become a fan of Big Break on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BigBreak or follow Big Break on Twitter @BigBreak.