JIMMY BRANDT WINS BIG BREA K MYRTLE BEACH, EARNS EXEMPTION TO VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY BB&T IN MARCH
Jimmy Brandt is the winner of the latest edition of Golf Channel’s highly-rated reality show Big Break Myrtle Beach, and as part of his prize package has earned an exemption to the 2015 Valspar Championship presented by BB&T.
“This means the world to me,” said Brandt who watched the final episode Tuesday night at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, FL, the site of the Valspar Championship. “To play a PGA TOUR event has been my dream and I’ve come so close on other occasions. I can’t wait until March. It’s been a great visit to meet all the wonderful people from Valspar, the tournament and the resort.”
“Valspar is very excited to be participating with this long-running series that helps aspiring golfers achieve their dreams,” said Gary Hendrickson, Chairman and CEO, The Valspar Corporation.. “Jimmy has followed a long journey to this moment and we are very excited for him. We look forward to seeing him again in March on the Copperhead Course, living his dream by competing against the PGA TOUR’s best.”
Brandt, 31 from Auburn, Alabama, has been a regular on the mini-tour circuit in recent years, accumulating accumulated six victories and 16 top-10 finishes on the Hopkins Tour in 2012 and 2013. Brandt earned conditional status on the Web.com Tour in 2011 and 2012 via PGA TOUR Q School, and is looking to return to golf’s biggest stages. His father, who introduced him to the game, is his full-time caddie.
In the final episode, shown Tuesday night, he defeated Toph Peterson of Logan, Utah in an 18-hole match. The finale took place at Barefoot Resort and Golf’s Fazio Course in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.. The original field for Big Break Myrtle Beach included six men and six women. If a woman had won, she would have earned an exemption to the LPGA Portland Classic.
Golf Channel’s Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. This was the 22 nd edition of the Big Break competition series which has proven to be the launching pad for many aspiring professional golfers looking to take that next step in their golf careers, including PGA TOUR winners Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey and Matt Every, and U.S. Solheim Cup participants Kristy McPherson, Gerina Piller and Ryann O’Toole, all playing full time on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour, respectively.
The 2015 Valspar Championship will be held March 9-15 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, in Palm Harbor, Florida. John Senden is the defending champion of the event which features national television coverage by NBC Sports and Golf Channel.
In addition to the tournament exemption, Brandt will receive:
• $75,000 in cash, including $5,000 courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods, $10,000 courtesy of Macanudo and $10,000 courtesy of Adams Golf. •Full, exempt status to the 2015 Swingthought.com Tour with all entry fees paid. •An endorsement contract from Adams Golf. •$10,000 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental. •$10,000 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity. • A seven-day, six-night all-expenses paid return trip to Myrtle Beach with accommodations provided by North Beach Plantation and six rounds of golf that can be played at any of Myrtle Beach’s 100 premiere golf courses.
About The Valspar Corporation The Valspar Corporation (NYSE: VAL) is a global leader in the paint and coatings industry. Since 1806, Valspar has been dedicated to bringing customers the latest innovations, the finest quality and the best customer service in the coatings industry.