The Big Break Interview Process

Well folks I have completed my audition for the Big Break!  It was so far one of my best experiences in golf.  I have to say, I have NOT been that nervous since my wedding day! 

For what the Big Break is:  http://www.thegolfchannel.com/bigbreak/

This is how it broke down:

Location: Scottsdale AZ

Time: 2:45pm

Temperature: 103 degrees (My face was as red as my shirt by the time I was done)

The producer I met (we will call him "D") was very nice and professional.  He help make the experience very positive!

Golf Performance:

In this first part D had me get set up with my 5 iron and took a still picture of my set-up.  Than I got reset and he had me swing to take a still picture of my swing.  I hit the ball right in the fore-head.  That poor ball was probably bleeding.  UGH!!!!

My heart was now really pumping, I could feel it beating in my chest.  

He than had me grab my driver and set up the TV camera across from me and I hit a couple of drives.  I set up and I POUNDED THEM down the range.  Felt pretty good, especially after my first shot was so poor.  

He than moved the camera behind me and had me hit my 5 iron again.  I laced both 5 irons and redeemed my self from my first shot.  THANK GOODNESS!

Than it was time to hit the flop shot over the imaginary 8 foot wall.  I was ready, I had been practicing this shot for the a last two weeks.  Made my swing!

D than stated that the ball hit the imaginary wall right in the center!  OUCH!  Next flop, I hit a 15 yard CHUNK!  My heart is just pumping!  D reminds me to just relax!  D tells me "the winner of Mesquite Big Break did not hit one of these in his audition."  I felt better and on my third one NAILED IT!

Last of my shots I had to make a 30 yard chip shot over an imaginary 16 foot wall.  First shot, CHUNK!  Just thinking OMG I have left my body, who is this person making these swings. Again, D states that we are not looking for results, we will analyze your swing and we can tell what you got from the video.  Again, I fell better and nail my last shot over the imaginary wall.

Next The Interview:

They moved me over to the next camera, still outside in the 103 degree weather.  I was mic'd up.  D asked the first question: "Tell me how you got started in golf?"  I went into my speech and about three minutes into it, D says, stop!  D states, "Michael take a deep breath, don't look at the camera, look at me.  We are just two guys having a conversation.  There are no right or wrong answers here."  

I took a couple of REAL deep breaths and did remember to exhale.  He than asked me how I met my wife.  I asked if he wanted the clean version or not ;-)  He than had me talk about my two boys, about being a racquetball instructor, and playing the min tours while following the Grateful Dead.  As I was talking about these things he said, "perfect" that is what I am looking for.  

To finish up the interview he asked me to look into the camera and said, "for the producers who are not here, why should you be on the Big Break."  All this stuff comes rushing into my head, what should I say, I mean thousands of things came running into my head.  I decided to keep it short.  I said, "I will bring passion for the game and excitement to the show.  Most importantly, we will just have FUN!"

My post thoughts of the interview

Of course one always thinks they could of said things differently and "should of could of" syndrome.  Having an opportunity to compete in a program to fulfill a dream is just wild!  I can not believe how nervous I was.  But in the end I just tried to be my true self and I feel good about that.

I think they are looking for a personality type to fill one of their 12 boxes.  I hope i fit one of their types.  If so they will place me with probably seven or eight other people who share similar traits.  Than they will compare us against each other and make a decision.  It is truly out of my hands now!

This was one of the coolest things I have done!  D from the Big Break was awesome!  Hoping I can make it to the show, I think I would be a very good ambassador for the program!  But at the end of the day, I took the LEAP to follow my dreams!  This is what life is about!

"What lies behind us, and what lies 
before us are small matters 
compared to what lies within us." 
- Ralph Waldo Emerson