I follow the professional tours–when I feel like it. Next week is one tournament I always pay attention to: The US Open.
To me, the golf “season” begins with the AT&T Pebble Beach Celebrity Tournament and ends with the British Open. I follow the Masters as well. For many, it is the first real tournament of the year, kinda like opening day in MLB.
But I have a soft spot for Pebble Beach. The tournament offers fun before the serious business takes over. In 1977, I got to watch one round in person. It was then still the Crosby Clambake. I stood at the first green and watched all the groups come through, then followed Nicklaus around the course. I took some detours to see many of the celebrities play, and hung out at #16 for a while.
Most players and celebrities were happy to interact with the gallery. Jack Lemmon, Clint Eastwood, Mac Davis, Johnny Bench–all had grins permanently stretched across their faces.
Several months later I scraped together the $25 green fee to play the course myself. It was exciting comparing my own inept play to those of the pros. But it was simply a pleasureable morning.
This photo–
is a view from behind the eighth green looking back toward the landing area for your tee shot. It is just as spectacular looking from the other direction, and pretty intimidating. I put three balls in that chasm, but was determined to hit that tiny green if it took every ball in my bag. I wasn’t about to walk away from Pebble Beach without having done it. Nicklaus called this the best par four in the world.
I have always wanted to play the course again, and would really like to take my father there to play. He refuses. He won’t let me pay the $380 green fee for him, and won’t pay it himself. But, there may be some relief on the horizon. Someone told me, and I haven’t confirmed it yet, that military active duty and retirees can play the course during the week for a special rate. Once I convince the Old Man, I’ll set up a trip for us to play there, Bayonet, and Del Monte some week.
There is much more, including live cams at the first tee and 18th green, at the Pebble Beach Resorts web site.
if i pay your old man’s fee, will he play?
Comment by rammer — June 12, 2004 @ 10:23 pm
No. He doesn’t believe any course is worth $380. I agree, but wanted him to play it. I also want to take him to Pinehurst, which he said he’d prefer. The best trip, in my mind, would be to take him to St Andrews.
Comment by Bunker — June 13, 2004 @ 11:45 am