ORLANDO, Fla. -- On a level playing field with $100,000 at stake, the girls of Big Break Prince Edward Island have done quite well against the boys. In the third episode, though, they lost a sister when Kim Kouwabunpat (Upland, Calif.) became the first female sent home after losing an elimination playoff to Brian Skatell (Virginia Beach, Va.).
After failing to earn immunity in the opening two challenges, Kouwabunpat joined Skatell, Derek Gillespie (Oshawa, Ontario, Canada) and Aaron Wright (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) in a four-hole elimination challenge that tested the competitors' ability to hit greens in regulation. Players received two points for hitting the green with their second shot and four points for placing the approach shot inside a circle surrounding the hole. Kouwabunpat and Skatell were tied at the end of the challenge, forcing a sudden-death playoff using the same format. The matter was settled on the par-4 18th hole, when he earned four points and she came up just short of matching his total.
"It wasn't nice to see Kim go," said Gillespie. "But, it is nice to see that a guy wasn't taken out of the show."
The series originally showcased six females and six males testing every phase of their games, course management and mental toughness. Each contestant competes on equal ground with no consideration of gender when it comes to elimination. Big Break showcases highly skilled golfers pitted against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her "Big Break."
Elimination by Episode:
Show 1: Robert Read
Show 2: William Thompson
Show 3: Kim Kouwabunpat
The nine remaining contestants will compete for $100,000 that can provide the winner a means to finance their dream of playing on a Tour for an entire year. Past Big Break champions won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world's top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Former Big Breakers Tommy Gainey and James Nitties, who tied for fourth in his third TOUR start at the FBR Open, will compete on the PGA TOUR in 2009 while four previous female contestants currently play on the LPGA Tour.
Adding insight to Big Break Prince Edward Island as co-hosts are former PGA TOUR professional Charlie Rymer and Golf Digest Senior Editor Stina Sternberg.
Shot at Mill River Golf Course in Prince Edward Island, it marks the first time a Canadian location has hosted Big Break. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada's east coast, Prince Edward Island boasts more than 32 courses that span from one end of the Island to the other. One of Canada's top golf destinations, Prince Edward Island offers other recreational activities, including kayaking and cycling.
The fourth episode of Big Break Prince Edward Island will air Monday at 9 p.m. ET.
For more information, please contact Mark Mitchell (407-355-4063/ mmitchell@golfchannel.com ) or GolfChannel.com/bigbreak
