Richy Werenski (Bluffton, S.C. / South Hadley, Mass.) defeated Justin Martinson (Savannah, Ga. / Avondale, Pa.) 2&1 in the championship match on Monday’s finale of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, the 23rd season of Golf Channel’s reality competition franchise.
Contested on the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa – home to the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic and the famed Bear Trap – Werenski captured the early momentum by winning the first two holes. However, Martinson not only erased Werenski’s early advantage, but took the lead by converting four consecutive birdies (holes 8-11) to go 2-up. Battling the elements, Werenski won the next three holes to regain a 1-up lead heading into the Bear Trap (holes 15-17). The duo traded pars on 15 and 16, and on the par-3 17th – after nearly holing out his tee shot – Werenski closed out the match with a 5-foot birdie putt to win 2&1.
“I just thought of my parents and everything they’ve done for me. I can’t wait for them to see this,” said Werenski following the conclusion of the match. “I’m through the roof right now. I thought I was good enough to win this, and I knew if I just played my game I would have a really good chance. Now I feel that much better about my game.
“I’ve never felt as much pressure that I felt here,” Werenski continued. “Now, I feel way more prepared for whatever the future has to offer.”
As champion of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, Werenski receives a sponsor’s exemption to compete in the 2015 Barbasol Championship on the PGA TOUR (July 16-19). In addition, he receives more than $80,000 in cash and prizes, including:
· $60,000 in cash, including $10,000 courtesy of Adams Golf.
· 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 return, week-long trip for two to PGA National Resort & Spa, including suite accommodations, daily breakfast, select Spa services, daily golf and a chef’s private dinner at Ironwood Steak & Seafood.
As a result of winning challenge prizes on the series, Werenski also earns:
· $6,000 in cash
· $2,250 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity
Martinson won the following challenge prizes during the course of the series:
· $6,000 in cash
· $2,500 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental
· $2,250 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity
Fans of Georgia Tech golf will not have to travel far to see Richy Werenski complete in the Barbasol Championship July 13 – 19, 2015 at RTJ Grand National in Opelika, Ala. The tournament is sponsored by Barbasol, America’s #1 shaving cream and will be played on the Lake Course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
“We are delighted to announce Richy as our first addition to the Barbasol Championship field,” said John Cannon, president of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. “Richy did a remarkable job throughout the Big Break series in a variety of difficult conditions. We look forward to watching him compete in this PGA TOUR event on the RTJ Golf Trail.” For more on the tournament, visit www.barbasolchampionship.com.w