Golf in Pebble Beach
It is that time of year when annual preparations are being made for the AT&T National Pro-Am. This year the event falls on February 7th – 13th. 156 amateurs and 156 professionals will be competing for a $6.3M purse. Last year, the tournament raised $7M for local charities, and $85M since the tournament’s inception. I have fond memories of this tournament since I was a child. I would help park cars in my friend’s front yard on 17 Mile Drive and as a highschool student at Stevenson School we would check out the tournament between classes right behind us on Spyglass. Practice rounds are held Monday – Wednesday and are a good way to watch your favorite players, without the crowds. A closet-to-the-pin charity competition, called Birdies for Charity Shoot-Out, is held Tuesday, the 8th, at 1:30pm on the first tee of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The 3M Celebrity Challenge is held on Wednesday the 9th at 11am, also on the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The actual tournament starts Thursday with play on Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course. 26-year old Dustin Johnson will be back this year after winning the past TWO years! Saturday is the best day to catch the celebrities, but also the busiest day in Pebble Beach. The final round begins on Sunday the 13th at 7:30am.
If you are planning to visit the Monterey Peninsula this weekend book your hotel rooms early, make dinner reservations now and be mindful of traffic when leaving on Sunday! This is sure to be another great success. I will be out there, will you?
