The Golden Bachelor featured Mel Owens giving his First Impression Rose to Gerri, making an emotional and physical connection with Cheryl, and eliminating a whopping 10 women during the Season 2 premiere that aired Wednesday night on ABC.

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The Golden Bachelor premiered with Mel, an attorney and former NFL player, sharing how his ex-wife, Fabiana, met someone new after their divorce and he was genuinely looking for someone to spend the rest of his life with.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

During their limo entrances, many of the women called Mel -- a father of two adult sons -- out for his ageist podcast comments in which he had said he'd cut any women over the age of 60.

Not only did Mel apologize to several of the women personally, but he also made a public apology, saying his remarks were unfair and insensitive, at the cocktail party.

"Age is just a number, and spirit has no age," Mel announced to his full cast after meeting all the beautiful ladies.

One of the women competing for Mel's heart was Sandra Mason's twin sister Andra, a 77-year-old retired federal worker from Los Angeles, CA.

Mel appeared to make many connections, and he said the women surpassed his expectations.

But Mel gave his First Impression Rose to Gerri, a 64-year-old home care agency CEO from Rockville, MD, who had opened up to him about having to raise three children by herself after her husband tragically died at age 47. Gerri also read Mel a sweet letter her son had written her.

"You haven't really done a lot for yourself in 10 years, and same with me -- it's a been a while. And your letter from your son made an impression on me," Mel told Gerri.

The pair then shared a sweet little kiss, and Gerri gushed about how she felt chemistry with The Golden Bachelor star. In fact, she said it felt like winning the Super Bowl.

At the first Rose Ceremony of the season, Mel handed out his first rose to Peg, a 62-year-old retired firefighter and bomb tech from Las Vegas, NV, who had made a memorable entrance by setting off a "love bomb" in the driveway.

Mel then offered roses to Carla, a 62-year-old former model from Los Angeles, CA; Terry, Cheryl, a 66-year-old retired IRS employee from Englewood, CO; Nicole, and Cindy, a 60-year-old retired biomedical engineer from Austin, TX.

He proceeded to hand out roses to Amy, a 63-year-old full-time mom from Short Hills, NJ; Alexandra, a 67-year-old luxury yacht sales representative from Miami, FL; Monica P., a 60-year-old cosmetic dentist from Birmingham, AL; and Carol, a 63-year-old family manager for baseball all-star Freddie Freeman from Villa Park, CA.

The remaining roses went to Roxanne, a 62-year-old longevity nurse from Austin, TX; Monica B., a 62-year-old flight attendant from Huntsville, AL; Robin, a 63-year-old wealth advisor and vineyard owner from Napa Valley, CA; Diane, a 71-year-old librarian from Wasilla, AK; and Debbie, a 65-year-old fitness professional from Denver, CO.

Mel sent home Andra; Lily, a 72-year-old retired elementary school teacher from Pacific Palisades, CA; Lisa, a 66-year-old state park employee from Marion, OH; Maia, a 58-year-old college sports consultant from Malibu, CA; Susie, a 62-year-old realtor from Del Mar, CA; and Tracy, a 62-year-old interior designer from Lafayette, LA.

After the first night, 17 women remained on The Golden Bachelor.

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The Golden Bachelor host Jesse Palmer teased how there was going to be a romantic one-on-one date and a super fun group date.

Cheryl was invited on the solo date, and she got to pick out a beautiful dress and wear diamond jewelry.

When Mel saw Cheryl, he gasped and called her "stunning." The pair had shared an intimate kiss during the previous cocktail party, and he said she was a very interesting person.

Mel and Cheryl had dinner on a sunset deck as musicians played string instruments nearby.

"Cheryl is my type of girl. She's adventurous, tough, funny, and a little bit of a daredevil. That alone set her apart from the other women," Mel told the cameras.

Cheryl revealed how she'd been taking care of her 93-year-old mother for the past five years. She also shared how her son Tyson's father, Mike, left them shortly after she had given birth in the hospital.

Cheryl said she divorced this man, who ultimately wanted to be a part of Tyson's life. Although Mike missed many years with his son, Cheryl said Tyson was glad to have known his father when he passed away about 10 years ago.

After having an emotional conversation, Mel and Cheryl ended up making out underneath a fireworks display.

For the group date, Mel gathered 16 women at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home to the L.A. Rams.

Mel said he was going to find out who the best cheer squad was, and Cindy was thrilled about the opportunity because she was a Dallas Mavericks cheerleader for years. Peg also has a dance background and went into the competition with confidence.

Singer and former American Idol judge Paula Abdul showed up to coach the ladies. The L.A. Rams cheerleaders also helped out.

The women were split up into two squads for the competition: Mel's Angels and Mel's GB Squad.

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Mel's Angels wore yellow and danced to "Straight Up." Peg took it upon herself to help the women and serve somewhat as the team captain.

Mel's GB Squad wore blue and performed to "Opposites Attract."

Mel's GB Squad won the challenge, and the ladies on the winning team included Gerri, Monica P., Cindy, and Carla.

Mel played Cindy a message from one of her beloved daughters, who was about to perform as Diana Ross' backup dancer. Cindy said Mel saw her and she felt "really special."

Cindy admitted they both went back for "seconds and thirds" after their first kiss.

Mel gave the date's rose to Cindy.

"In this moment, more than ever, I feel like I have a future with Mel. I'm a logical person, but this is nuts. I am falling in love with the man in a very short time period," Cindy told the cameras.

Before the second Rose Ceremony of the season, Mel threw a pool party at the mansion.

Mel told Peg that he had his eye on her, but Nicolle, a 64-year-old yoga instructor from Miami Beach, FL, jumped all over Mel in the pool and appeared to monopolize his time.

Nicolle and Mel made out in the pool in front of everyone, and Cindy said it bothered her because she doesn't "share very well."

At the second Rose Ceremony of the season, Mel handed out roses to Roxanne, Debbie, Gerri, Monica P., Monica B., Carol, Peg, Nicolle, Robin, Amy, and Terri, a 71-year-old cosmetic dentist from Houston, TX.

Mel therefore eliminated Alexandria, Carla, Diane, and Mylene, a 61-year-old casino VIP host from Las Vegas, NV.

"All of these women are beautiful and smart. Is my wife here? Yes, I feel it in my heart," Mel said in a confessional.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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