Mark Farnham's Blog - Big Break 7

Editor's Note: Mark Farnham appeared on the original season of The Big Break and returns for season 7. He will share his unique perspective following each episode this season.
 
Mark Farnham's Contestant Blog - Final Episode
 
The Final
The only thing stronger than Tommy’s grip on his club was his grip on this championship after he eagled the first hole and took the next with Ashley’s miscue to go 2-up after two holes. After that, the final show was really a question about whether or not Ashley could prolong the inevitable or maybe, just maybe summon up the competitive fire in her game that served her so well in earlier shows. It just proved not to be her match, and the putter that started to go a little cold at the end of her match against Mike and Tommy stayed that way in this match. Tommy just kept up his pressure hitting green after green and making a course that is somewhat demanding look like a pitch-and-putt at times. Let’s just set the record straight on something here… given what was at stake, this was an impressive display of golf, and he was hitting it 300-325 off the tee and leaving himself with short irons into most greens. When is the last time you were torn between a 9-iron and a PW from 161 yds out? And so, we get the deserving champion, and the best player at the Reunion manages to work his magic and win.
 
Epilogue
 
I’m a Tommy Gainey fan, and a fan of the other 80+ players who put their games on display in the crucible that is The Big Break. It isn’t pure golf, but it is pure pressure, and pressure that many tour players don’t even face. During the taping of this show, Tommy Gainey had just won the first stage of PGA TOUR school qualifying, then filmed this show for two weeks, and had only a day to recover before heading out for 2nd stage. He shot an 80 on that first day which would have crushed the dreams of most players. Instead, he dug deep and roared back with a barrage of birdies over the next three rounds and just missed making the finals of Q-school and a shot at the PGA TOUR, and at least gaining some status on the Nationwide Tour, by a single stroke. You can debate what effect the show had on him. Was he too tired on the first day and ill prepared, or was it his confidence that brought him back? All I know is, that I admire a guy who fights for his dinner, and with each step in Gainey’s career he’s learned a little something more. This year at Q-school, I’d look for him to advance.
 
Final thoughts from out of the rough
 
Gary isn’t as bad as everyone thinks. Cindy really did help my golf game. Nicky and Eddie never did hook up, or did they? Kim is the nicest person you will ever meet, but she wants to win really badly. Val is two people: fire when playing and ice when relaxing. Kelly can fix your back in a pinch. Pam was scared that Dani was going to pop out at any time for the first few days (really!). Bri had a boyfriend back home, so the Tommy stuff was just for TV. Tommy has a girlfriend back home who he is now back together with… so he’s got some ‘splaining to do. Ashley and Dave were hysterical together and one night jumped in the pool at the common house just for laughs. Donny and Mike helped me each morning find a swing to survive. Laura was my savior who made the show fun for me during a difficult time in my life when golf wasn’t super important. Vince is as down to earth as it gets and you’d love to sit with him at a bar. Steph? How does she know all of that stuff without spotters!
 
I also give this little bit of advice to those of you who come after us. The most talented group of men ever assembled for a Big Break are all set for Series 8 and a shot at the PGA TOUR… so this is for them: Enjoy your time. Respect your competitors. Oh, and one other thing… nobody likes to be the first one to go home… so don’t let it be you. We’ll all be watching.