Concordia Alum Trying to Catch her Big Break on the Golf Channel
Sara Harper
Meet the Cast of Big Break Florida I First Look: Lindsay Aho I The Big Break
"Once I started taking risks and saying I am just going to go do it, it started working out." – Lindsay Aho
Every athlete has dreams. For those fortunate to compete at the collegiate level in their beloved sport, that dream might be to continue to prove their skills at the professional level. Most never obtain this pinnacle of success in the athletic world, but Concordia alumni and golf standout Lindsay Aho is quickly closing in on this dream.
After a college career that was highlighted by a pair of All-American honors for the Cavaliers, Aho's chance at the next level will be broadcasted live for millions of viewers as the Battle Ground, Wash., native will be appearing on The Golf Channel's popular show "The Big Break".
Aho will be part of a talented all-female cast of the show, which held its 22nd season in Florida. Aho will be competing for the biggest prize in Big Break history: $175,000 and an opportunity to play on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association).
This objective wasn't always in the periphery for Aho, as the education major first pursued a role teaching. But the allure of competition had her immediately missing golf on a daily basis. The desire of spending her days back on the range or the green led Aho back Concordia as a talk with coach Ron Grove led to an invitation to join the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. After two years and two conference championships for Concordia golf, Aho decided it was time to take another risk.
Aho's journey on to The Big Break started in an unconventional fashion. She became a contestant without sending in an online application or even trying out for the show. Instead, she was referred to the show by a friend and past contestant Maiya Tanaka. This led to Aho send in a self-made video to show off her bubbly personality. The video coupled with a win in the Northwest Women's Open, her first professional win, helped get the former Cavalier onto the show.
As with any reality television show, all contestants are sworn to secrecy about the competitions or any results. Despite the overwhelming news of her entry, Aho even had to keep her acceptance on the show a secret before filming.
The entire show taped in just two weeks, meaning 12 episodes of footage were captured in 14 days. Between the interviews and competitions, the producers were taping almost every hour of the day.
With the premiere around the corner, Aho will be traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona this week to have an early viewing of the first episode before the rest of the public has a chance to see it. For the rest of us, we will have to wait until February 24 for the first episode, which will premiere on the Golf Channel at 6 p.m. (PST)
AHO AT CONCORDIA: Aho's Concordia career was full of accolades and firsts for the University. In her junior season she became the first CU golfer, male or female, to become an NAIA All-American. She was a two-time Cascade Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and helped the Cavs to four straight NAIA National Championship appearances. Aho earned 13 medalist honors while playing for Concordia. She holds the single-season school record with a 76.6 strokes per round average which she set during the 2009-10 season. Aho holds Concordia's No. 2 all-time career scoring average at 79.15 strokes per round, an average tallied over 108 rounds of play over her four-year career.