Abbotsford golfer James Lepp is getting a second chance to earn his Big Break.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Lepp has been invited for a return appearance on Big Break, a reality TV show on the Golf Channel.
The 29-year-old made his debut on the program last year, advancing from a field of 12 golfers on Big Break Greenbrier to the 18-hole match play finale. With $50,000 cash and an exemption into the PGA Tour's 2013 Greenbrier Classic among the prizes on the line, Lepp built a three-up lead over Mark Silvers with five holes remaining. But Silvers rallied, winning four of the last five holes to edge the Abby golfer.
The 2013 edition of Big Break features an NFL theme, with a new team-oriented format. Two past Big Break competitors – one male and one female – will join one former NFL player to form six three-person teams, and teams will be eliminated as a group. On the line will be $50,000 to the winning NFL legend’s designated charity, along with 2014 PGA Tour and LPGA Tour tournament exemptions, cash and other prizes for the golfers.
Lepp and Meghan Hardin are joining forces with former Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien, the MVP of Super Bowl XXVI. Other NFL alumni on the show include Jerry Rice, Chris Doleman, Tim Brown, Marc Bulger and Al Del Greco.
Lepp's phenomenal amateur career included a pair of Canadian junior championships (2001-02), four consecutive B.C. Amateur victories (2002-05), and three straight national order of merit titles (2003-05). His signature victory came in 2005, when he became the first Canadian to win the NCAA Division 1 golf championship.
In recent years, Lepp has transitioned to the business world, launching Kikkor Golf, a shoe and apparel company.
Big Break NFL, contested at Dorado Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, premieres on Oct. 8 on the Golf Channel.