Big Break Lands On PEI

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Canadian Tour players Eugene Smith and Derek Gillespie are among the 12 contestants on Golf Channel’s Big Break Prince Edward Island that airs its first episode Monday April 20 beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Hosting the event is Mill River Golf Club.

The Big Break concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that allow them to showcase both their golf skills and mental toughness.

Eugene Smith is one of the steadiest players on the Canadian Tour, and one of its most popular. The friendly and easygoing New Jersey native finished T-8 at the San Luis Potosi Open last spring and his best finish is a T-2 at the 2007 Greater Vancouver Charity Classic. He also owns several other top tens.

Smith was Seton Hall University’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1998, 1999 and 2001 won the Big East title in 2000. He is a two-time Big East Academic All-Star and the winner of several amateur and collegiate events.

Derek Gillespie is one of those players who, when on, is one of the best. The Canadian has earned two Canadian Tour titles with the last coming at the 2003 Ixtapa Classic where he ran away with an eight shot win.

After having a sub-par 2006, he bounced back with a third place finish on the Order of Merit in 2007 when he had five top tens including three runner-ups.

A member of the University of Arizona’s golf Hall of Fame, Gillespie has been pegged as a top prospect for several years. He has qualified for seven Canadian Opens and several Nationwide Tour events.

Despite his admitted frustration at not having advanced to the PGA TOUR, his abundant talent seems to indicate that he eventually will.

Both Eugene Smith and Derek Gillespie are 30-years-old and they, along with ten others, are competing for the $100,000 first prize.