Anna native Aaron Wright seeks Golf Channel's $100,000 prize
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It's three down and eight to go for Anna native Aaron Wright in his quest for a $100,000 prize in the Golf Channel's "Big Break" reality series.
Wright was one of 12 contestants chosen for the 11-week series taped at Prince Edward Island in Canada. After three episodes he's still in contention for the top prize.
Competition for the big prize involves demonstrating various golf skills. The goal of each contestant isn't so much to finish first, but rather to avoid being last among the surviving golfers. Last place in each episode results in elimination.
Wright has fared well in each of the first three episodes. He faced some anxious moments but so far has avoided elimination.
"It should get very interesting," Wright said last week while in the process of moving from Florida to Cape Girardeau.
"I'm anxious to watch it myself. I haven't seen how they put it all together."
Taping of the program took place in September with a full day devoted to each episode.
Wright said the competition was "one of the most fun things I've ever done.
He of course knows the final outcome but all competitors are sworn to secrecy. "My wife doesn't even know," he said, noting, "that's caused a few problems."
Earlier this year Wright took a job with Synthes Spine, which provides equipment for spinal surgeries. He and his wife have moved to Cape Girardeau where most of his business is located.
Wright's introduction to golf came at an early age at Union County Country Club in Anna. He said he learned from his father, Mort Wright, former coach and athletic director at Shawnee College, and his game was influence locally by Wayne Kelley and David Baker.
While in high school at Anna-Jonesboro he was two time state golf champion.
"Big Break" episodes originate at 8 p.m. on Mondays on the Golf Channel, which is carried by most area cable and satellite services. Each episode is repeated several times through the week.
<strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Aaron Wright's Golf Channel biography…</span></strong>
Hometown: Orlando, Fl.
Birthday: 8/21/76
College: United States Naval Academy
Interests: Sports, Fishing and Movies
Family: Married
Aaron Wright’s granite jaw and icy stare make him look every bit the Marine that he is. He is a no-nonsense kind of guy who earns guys’ respect and makes girls swoon.
Ironically, it was a golf match that was a turning point in the direction of his life. In the 1992 U.S. Junior Amateur, Wright lost a match 4&3 to Tiger Woods, whose caddie that day was renowned golf psychologist/guru Jay Brunza. A former Marine, Brunza asked Wright what he planned to do with his future and then suggested the United Stated Naval Academy. Wright applied and not only was accepted but awarded a golf scholarship the next year. In his senior year, he was named All-American.
After graduation, Wright honored his commitment to the Marines by serving in the infantry in the South Pacific and Afghanistan. While never firing his weapon in Afghanistan, he worked tirelessly training the Afghan army, reworking the military structure and helping rebuild part of the country.
“I’m glad that I had the opportunity to do it,” Wright said about the six-months he spent in Afghanistan in 2003. “Throughout the rest of my life, whether it is playing golf or working in something else, I’ll never get the opportunity to serve and work with the type of people that I was able to while I was there.”
The Marine Corps experience not only shaped Wright’s life, but also his approach to golf. An intense competitor, he was outwardly excitable, easily fired up and would wear his emotions on his sleeve. As a Marine, he quieted his emotions while staying intense. “The biggest thing that the Marines helped me with on the golf course is dealing with my emotions,” explained Wright. “I tend to be a pretty intense person, so being able to deal with different situations and calm myself down to focus and execute has been an asset.”
Last year was an eventful time for Wright: In 2008, he got married and qualified for his first Nationwide Tour’s Henrico County Open, where he tied for 54th. In addition, he posted three top 10 finishes on the Hooters Tour.
However, there were some setbacks. His wife, Kelly, lost her real estate sales job and went back to school. The $14,689 he earned on the Hooters Tour was not enough to pay both the mounting bills and the money he owed to sponsors.
“For people playing the mini tours, it’s just not that easy to make it,” said Wright. “Money is one of the biggest reasons that people stop playing. It would really be good if I could win some cash.”
Big Break Prince Edward Island will ensure that one of the 12 competitors’ financial futures will become more secure. Each of them need help, but perhaps, none deserve a break more than Wright.