My journey on Big Break Ireland has been the most pressure packed, life changing, emotional ride I have ever been on. I never thought that I would leave the show with a few lifelong friends and higher confidence than when I started, even though I was kicked off in week four. I went into this experience with a positive outlook in all situations, and I knew as long as I relied on God and gave him all the glory, everything would work out just perfectly!
On day four of the competition, I really got to put my attitude, game and faith to the test, as it was my turn to be Team Captain. The entire day was a short game challenge with two-person teams pitted against each other at three different locations. The catch was that the hole was two inches larger than a regular cup! One person would be chipping and the other finished out the putt. The first location was the infamous Flop Wall! We tied all around and went to the second location - a chip over the bunker to a tucked pin. Again, we all tied and had to go into challenge three, which was to chip in the six-inch hole in fewer attempts than the other team. Team Straffan made the chip in six attempts. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done. I was pretty disappointed that we lost the immunity challenge, but I had to re-focus for the elimination challenge.
I was completely in between picking Mark or Mallory to come join me in elimination. However, once I found out we were playing Holes 15 and 16 on the Smurfit course, I picked Mal because Mark was the only one who knew that course. Mallory and I tied the first hole with a par and hit our drives two yards apart on the second hole. She stuck hers to about 10 feet and I answered by hitting mine just outside of hers. I missed my putt, and I knew she was going to make hers.
Everyone is usually disappointed when they get eliminated. But I felt the exact opposite. This competition was the first time in my life that I felt just as confident and proud of myself when the outcome didn’t go in my favor. I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t play the ‘what if’ game and I finally realized what it felt like to give God the glory when you succeed and when you fall short! That feeling and realization was worth it to me to lose the elimination challenge, because I finally discovered that what happens in life isn’t what matters, but how you react and what you make of every situation is what counts. This whole experience has been unbelievable and I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity!
I’m not sure what the future holds for me but I can’t wait to see what blessings God has in store for me next! I will be in Florida for the off-season with my boyfriend Jordan Holley, working hard on my game and saving up money so I can hopefully play a full season next year either on either the LPGA Futures Tour or the Ladies European Tour! Thank you so much for all the support and love. You most definitely haven’t seen the last of me!! xoxo
Kelly Jacques
