Contestants Named for Big Break VI: Trump National

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Big Break VI: Trump National, scheduled to premiere on Sept. 26, will boast the largest and most diverse mix of contestants in the history of the series. The field, which was announced today, consists of nine females and nine males who will compete with and against each other in an attempt to make their dreams reality. It will be the first time the two sexes have competed together in The Golf Channel’s popular reality series.
 
Adding to the intrigue will be America’s most-celebrated real estate tycoon-turned-TV star, Donald Trump, who will welcome the cast to his famous Los Angeles golf course and make appearances throughout the series, putting his personal stamp on the competition.
 
In addition to other prizes, winners will be given the opportunity to compete with some of the best golfers in the world, with the male champion receiving sponsors’ invitations to play in official events on the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour and the female champion invited to play in LPGA Tour events. The competitors include:
 
Female Contestants:
 
Rachel Bailey, 25, Fowlconbridge, NSW, Australia
Outgoing Aussie looks to make good
A year ago, she nearly quit golf when the pressure of playing the Duramed FUTURES Tour became an “endless grind.” However, after a week of soul searching, the fun-loving Aussie realized that golf provided her the opportunity to realize dreams that others from her small southeastern Australian town never could imagine. Always an athlete, her dad introduced her to golf at age 10. At New Mexico State, she won the Sun Belt Conference championship.
 
Bridget Dwyer, 25, Kailua, Hawaii
Act like a champion
A native of Hawaii, Dwyer exudes the natural “cool persona” of the 50th state. Currently on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, she was a three-time National Golf Coaches Association All-Scholar selection and was voted Most Inspirational Athlete at UCLA in 2004. In high school, Dwyer relished playing on the boys’ golf team and eventually earned a golf scholarship to UCLA. A focused and driven individual she strives to live her motto “act like a champion” at all times.
 
Ashley Gomes, 23, Pleasanton, Calif.
Fun loving, laid back California girl with a passion for life and golf
Playing golf from an early age, Gomes participated in junior golf at a high level, competing against the likes of LPGA Tour stars Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis. In high school, she played on the boys’ team even after the school formed a girls’ squad. At San Jose State, she claimed individual honors in the 2004 Western Athletic Conference championship.
 
Sarah Johnston, 24, St. Charles, Ill.
Loves to laugh but packs a punch
Johnston’s dad, and her current caddie, was a successful PGA TOUR professional who finished second at the 1971 U.S. Open and 15th in the 1974 Masters. Although she won her first tournament at age 4, Johnson is a self-professed late bloomer who eventually earned All-American honors at Furman University. Currently playing the Duramed FUTURES Tour, Johnston is one of the longest hitters, averaging 270 yards off the tee.
 
Laura London, 25, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Transformed from a rink rat to a range rat
London’s first love was figure skating but she burned out on the sport. She then attempted to play hockey but a broken ankle put an end to that venture. The first step in her golf journey was going from a rink rat to a range rat when her family moved to a house on a golf course. London turned professional directly out of high school after spurning a scholarship offer from Arizona State. She played the Duramed FUTURES Tour from 1999-2001 and wants to compete once again.
 
Annie Mallory, 23, Fredricton, New Brunswick, Canada
“I want the world to know that women can hit it with the men!”
Hailing from a small town in Atlantic Canada, Mallory sees herself as an outsider and an underdog in the golf world. Her introduction to golf came out of a need to compete and beat her sister. Annie currently plays on the Cactus Tour. Mallory’s greatest triumph thus far is her golf scholarship to University of Texas-El Paso.
 
Kristy McPherson, 24, Conway, S.C.
Overcame adversity to have a bright future in golf
At age 11, McPherson was diagnosed with a severe arthritic condition and was unable to walk for an entire year. A winner on the Duramed FUTURES Tour this year, McPherson enjoyed a stellar career at the University of South Carolina. While at USC, she recorded seven wins in collegiate events, was named a three-time NCAA All-American and was the individual winner of the SEC Championships in 2001 and 2002. In addition, she was named the 2002 Honda Inspirational Athlete of the Year and 2002 NCAA South Carolina Woman of the Year.
 
Karyn Stordahl-Utecht, 25, Prior Lake, Minn.
“I love breaking the mold!”
Crowned Miss Minnesota in 2005, Stordahl-Utecht is much more than a pretty face. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Magna Cum Laude while competing on the golf team. Winning the Lady Razorback Invitational as a junior at the University of Minnesota was a landmark event in her golf game. Due to obligations connected with Miss Minnesota, Stordahl-Utecht played little competitive golf in 2005-2006. A week after taping The Big Break VI, she will marry her college sweetheart, Indianapolis Colts tight end Ben Utecht.
 
Briana Vega, 23, North Andover, Mass.
Exhibits talent beyond her years
Vega’s passion and talent earned her a golf scholarship to North Carolina State University, where she holds the 18- and 54-hole scoring records. In 2004, she won the Massachusetts Amateur and qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Open. Vega is toiling on the FUTURES Tour where she is working to improve her game.
 
Male Contestants:
 
Sid Corliss, 56, Cumming, Ga.
A quick wit to go with a smooth style
Currently ranked 30th on the Sun Belt Tour, Corliss’ highlight in golf was playing in the 2001 U.S. Senior Open with his brother on the bag. Teetering on the cut line, he birdied two out of the last four holes to make the cut. He also played in four Senior British Opens and four Champions Tour events. His dream is to win a Champions Tour event with his brother - who recently recovered from stage four throat cancer - caddying for him.