Mailing List
Join the OGA mailing list and receive Golf Association News.
My Big Break Experience - NASCAR Challenge
This was the NASCAR episode and our first challenge was to drive the ball down pit row at the race track and cross the finish line. We were really surprised with the difficulty of the shot. No matter how long a hitter you were, the ball had to bounce at least 10 times before it would rach the finish line.
I originally thought the challenge would be one of accuracy and not of horsepower. If it was horsepower guys like me and Gipper would be at an advantage because we regularly outdistance the other guys. Kevin, to our surpirse, set the bar early and I think that his draw really helped offset the natural slope of the track.
The shot is far more difficult than it looks simply because your hitting on a asphalt track which is ever so slightly banked to the right. You could hit what you think is the exact same shot twice thinking it is landing in the exact same place, but one bounds across the finish line and the other just seems to curve off the track. I remember that my second shot was equally as good as the first, landing 3-4 yards from the first one...both were great swings that split the track, but one just missed crossing the finish line and I was sent to the elimination challenge where we played B-R-E-A-K, the Big Break's version of HORSE!
Each of us was able to select a location to hit from and the added bonus was that whoever hits it closest was able to add an additional letter to the competitor of their choice. I think you saw that for the most part, we were piling on Andrew giving him letters whenever we could. Everyone wanted to send him to elimination, and he was the first one sent to the next stage.
At that point Gipper and I were tied in the lead with only one letter each, so when he had the chance, he gave me a letter. I completely saw that coming. What's he gonna do...give it to his brother? That left him in alone the lead, and Since only one person from this game was going to move on to the next show, it was a great strategic move -- especially since he ultimately made it.
When it came to the competition to determine who would be sent home, I felt really good. It was one of the first times I felt calm and not too nervous which looking back was probably not a good sign. We had three different places to play from where we were to hot it into a 20-foot circle. Each time we were successful we earned a point and each of us who made it to three points was safe and unto the next show unless we were tied forcing a sudden death playoff.
From the yardages we were at, I certainly thought I could get it done. Coming from the Northwest where I honed a decent short game on on Poa Annua and bentgrass considering the yardages we were hitting from, I certainly thought I would make it through, but in the end, I think my lack of experience in playing from Bermuda rough really hurt my chances. I was really disappointed that I could not stop the ball within 20-feet of the hole. That's just not me.
This challenge was the most competitive overall. I was consistently coming closer that the other guys. But sometimes in this competition it comes down to a matter of inches. I had three chances to be safe and one more to at least force another attempt and you'd think with all those opportunities I'd get at least one of them in. I really was shocked to not move on.
There's so much build up to just one shot, in a regular tournament there so many opportunities to help yourself out and right the ship if need be. But here just one swing (not even a putt) could mean your done for the day and onto the next show, or done completely. Its unlike any pressure I've ever felt, including when I teed it up for the first time in a PGA Tour event when I played the Northern Trust Open at Riviera.
I was certainly disappointed that I only lasted six episodes. I would have liked to have won the whole thing. If it was a regular golf competition, I think my chances would have been better against these guys. One of the best things I'll take from my experience on this show is that it helped teach me how to deal with pressure. The pressure here was much more than any I've ever faced in any tournament setting so I think that learning and now knowing what it takes to handle that extreme pressure will help me down the line.
So what was next for me -- well it was the walk to the "losers lounge." When I got there, the guys were really surprised to see me. J.R. said "all you could do is make it one more day?"
Although we couldn't even talk with the guys that were left in the show, 1 by 1 more would join us. It was really fun to hang out with the guys. It was 6 days without competition and an opportunity to vacation at Disney World until the last show where we would all be back together.
All in all, it was two of the best weeks of my life.
After that show, I'll fill you in on my plans for my future.
Vince Cellini conducts the exit Interview with Vincent Johnson
© Copyright 2011 Oregon Golf Association. All Rights Reserved.