Reality TV: Six golfers from the East Valley are among 30 finalists who have been selected by Golf Magazine to take part in the $250,000 St. Joseph Pressure Challenge. The show will be aired on CBS Sports on May 14 and May 20.

The East Valley finalists, who all have a USGA handicap of 8.0 or higher, include Simon Ecob, Todd Koppa and Shane Urry from Mesa; Rick Murray and Steve Poppe from Scottsdale; and Ken Barnes of Higley. Each will have a shot at the $250,000 first prize.

According to the contest, each participant will attempt to par (or better) nine straight holes, with each hole increasing in value ($1,000, $2,500, $5,000, etc.). Should any participant par all nine holes he/she would win the $250,000.

Along the way, each participant gets three mulligans (do-overs), with a limit of one per hole and not to be used for putting. After each par, players must decide whether to keep their winnings or play on at The Links at Lighthouse Sound in Ocean City, MD.

About the East Valley cast and their backgrounds:

Ken Barnes: A loan officer, he brings an 8.2-handicap to the competition, which is a definite plus. The 31-year-old Barnes says his putting is his strong suit, which also bodes well considering there are no mullies on the greens.

Simon Ecob: A native of England, the 39-year-old automotive technician sports a 9.1-handicap. And while Ecob grew up overseas, he has played most of his golf in the U.S., although never under this type of pressure.

Todd Koppa: He brings a 10-handicap to the competition, but the 30-year-old Koppa knows how to work under pressure, considering he holds a job as an emergency-room nurse.

Rick Murray: A 10-handicap, the 47-year-old says he will donate part of his winnings to the American Cancer Socity and spend the rest on a dream home for his family that includes four children.

Steve Poppe: A former baseball player who also is a 10-handicap, the 44-year-old Poppe said he’ll use his winnings for his daughter’s education and to help out with the health care for a disabled family member.

Shane Urry: The 27-year-old has recorded the lowest all-time score of any of the 30 participants – a 65. A self-proclaimed “risk-taker,’’ expect him to keep rolling the dice behind his 9.5 handicap. A big win could fuel his new insurance company.

For more information on the show as well as the other 24 contestants, visit www.stjosephpressurechallenge.com.

PRO RANKS

Masters-bound: Six golfers who reside in the East Valley have earned invitations to next week’s Masters. They include Scottsdale’s Tim Clark, Tom Lehman, Billy Mayfair and Geoff Ogilvy; Mesa’s Mark Hensby; and Ahwatukee’s Mark Calcavecchia. Also in the field is Phoenix’s Ted Purdy.

Senior circuit: The Women’s Senior Golf Tour announced this week that it has been renamed The Legends Tour of the LPGA. In addition, the new Legends Tour announced the creation of the Handa Cup, an annual team event that pits the U.S. against an International squad. Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley and Patty Sheehan have committed to the Solheim Cup-style event.

Hired: Former PGA Tour player Rick Fehr has joined Scottsdale-based Gaylord Sports. Fehr, who won twice in 15 years on Tour, will be involved in recruiting and managing clients as well as the development of new events and client services.

NOTEWORTHY

Top juniors: The American Junior Golf Association returns to the East Valley on April 14-16, when the eighth annual Heather Farr Classic takes place at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa. The event features many of the top juniors in the country, including East Valley standouts Esther Choe, Taylor Karle, Kristen Schelling, Philip Francis, Tim McKenney and defending champ Drew Kittleson. The tournament also includes a junior-am on April 13. To enter a team (four players plus a top junior) at an entry fee of $1,000 visit www.longbowgolf.com.

Honored: Four East Valley retailers have been named to Golf World Business magazine’s “25 Best Merchandisers.’’ They are Kelly Azama of Grayhawk Golf Club, Janele Bergstrom of Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club, Roger Maxwell of In Celebration of Golf, and Mark Thush of Desert Mountain Golf Club.

School days: Platinum Golf Academy, which is located at the Golf Club at Eagle Mountain, is offering a spring golf school April 21-23. To reach director of instruction Derek Nannen, call (480) 282-4627.