CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- The Honourable Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Tourism, is pleased to announce the first airing of the Big Break Prince Edward Island TV reality series on April 20, 2009 at 9 p.m. EST, on GOLF CHANNEL network. Twelve competitors, including Canadian contestant, Derek Gillespie, will play in ten elimination rounds with the final two facing off in match play to determine the winner.

The twelve contestants selected to play in Big Break Prince Edward Island include: Aaron Wright, Brenda McLarnon, Eugene Smith, Gerina Mendoza, Robert Read, Caroline Larsson, Derek Gillespie, Nicole Sikora, William Thompson, Blair O'Neal, Brian Skatell, and Kim Kouwabunpat.

"We are very excited that Prince Edward Island is the first ever Canadian host for GOLF CHANNEL's reality style TV show: "Big Break," said Minister Docherty. "This is a wonderful opportunity to gain extensive national and international exposure of our first-class golf product. It's an agreement that will allow PEI to have a sustained profile on the GOLF CHANNEL over an extended period of time."

The Big Break concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her “Big Break.”

The two-year partnership between Tourism PEI and GOLF CHANNEL will bring Prince Edward Island to 80 million homes in Canada and the US, plus another 30 million homes in 60 countries around the world. In addition of this extensive television exposure, GOLF CHANNEL is currently promoting Prince Edward Island on its website links through to gentleisland.com as well as Golf PEI.

The GOLF CHANNEL agreement also included a Golf With Style half hour program featuring PEI as a vacation destination and the airing of the 2006 and 2007 Legends of Golf matches.