'Big Break Mesquite' Winner, Cast Members
Big Break Mesquite was the eighth season of the Golf Channel's reality/competition television series, in which golfers competed in challenges and matches for prizes including money and exemptions into tour events. It was the first time that the series' previous Roman-numeral naming convention (Big Break III, Big Break VI, etc.) wasn't used. It was also the first time an exemption into a PGA Tour tournament was one of the prizes.
Big Break Mesquite was taped at golf courses in Mesquite, Nevada, and the first episode aired on the Golf Channel on October 2, 2007. The series hosts were Rick Schwartz and Stephanie Sparks.
Winner of 'Big Break Mesquite'
Big Break Mesquite culminated in an 18-hole championship match between Brian Kontak and Joshua Warthen. Kontak was the winner, defeating Warthen by a 6-and-4 score.What the champion won: The big prize was a PGA Tour exemption: The series champ earned a place in the field at the 2008 Mayakoba Classic.
How Kontak fared in his exemption: In that 2008 Mayakoba Classic, Kontak posted scores of 75-71 and missed the cut at 6-over 146.
Cast Members of 'Big Break Mesquite'
Big Break Mesquite featured a cast of 12 male golfers — the same format used in the first two seasons of The Big Break. The ages and hometowns are listed as they were at the time the series aired on Golf Channel.- Benoit Beisser, age 25, Scottsdale, Arizona, eliminated in Episode 8
- Matt Every, age 24, Gainesville, Florida, eliminated in Episode 2
- Mark Farrell, age 42, Westport, Connecticut, eliminated in Episode 5
- Roger Fonnest Jr., age 28, Mineola, New York, eliminated in Episode 1
- Gerry James, age 47, Ponte Vedre Beach, Florida, eliminated in Episode 10
- Brian Kontak, age 37, Scottsdale, Arizona, winner
- Hiroshi Matsuo, age 38, Jupiter, Florida, eliminated in Episode 11
- James Nitties, age 25, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, eliminated in Episode 7
- Kevin Taylor, age 35, Mocksville, North Carolina, eliminated in Episode 9
- Anthony Rodriguez, age 35, San Antonio, Texas, eliminated in Episode 3
- Matt Vick, age 29, Franklin, Tennessee, eliminated in Episode 6
- Joshua Warthen, age 27, Arroyo Grande, California, lost in championship match
