Golf Channel's venerable reality series Big Break is back for its 20th edition. Hard to believe that the show has aired for 20 cycles. And while the series has continued strong with various all-female, all-male and mixed editions, this particular series shakes up the formula with teams of three and no individual champion.

For the 20th series, Big Break taps six men and six women from previous series including Atlantis, Greenbrier, Ireland, Indian Wells and Mexico to form the teams. And each tandem is led by a former NFL player, all of whom are now active in golf. Hall of Famers Tim Brown, Chris Doleman and Jerry Rice are involved along with former quarterbacks Mark Rypien and Marc Bulger and kicker Al Del Greco. The teams are named for each NFL player.

The producers have tapped six men and six women who participated in recent seasons of Big Break.

There's Meghan, Shannon and Zakiya from Atlantis. Greenbrier's Brian, Isaac and James return. Then there's Chad, Emily and Stefanie from Mexico. Mallory is back from the Ireland season and Oren and Will are back from Indian Wells. All are hoping to win a coveted LPGA or PGA Tour exemption with lots of cold hard cash and plenty of prizes. The winning NFL player will have money donated to his favorite charity.

With the premiere episode titled "Combine," this season has an NFL theme that will last the entire cycle. Once the introductions are finished, we get right into the action with the patented breaking glass challenge that brings the dynamics from past seasons into Puerto Rico, Chad who was extremely annoying in Mexico is extremely annoying here. Meghan who was the first one eliminated in Atlantis has her troubles again at Dorado. And Oren's slow play that drove everyone nuts in Indian Wells is back to rear its ugly head once again.

However, the formula that brings viewers back to Big Break returns. The production values are high. The course looks gorgeous in stunning high definition. Every commercial break is a cliffhanger. Every shot is dramatic.

Co-host Tom Abbott is back to scold golfers when they hit an errant shot or fail to play up to his standards. In place of regular co-host Stephanie Sparks, Sunday Night Football's Michele Tafoya is also tapped to co-host Big Break NFL.

Overall, it's a winning familiar formula that brings viewers back to the show. And if the last season in Mexico is any indication, we should see plenty of dramatics in every episode.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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