Does Heaven Have a Golf Course?

Golf, Lifestyle

Posted by Justine S, March 9, 2008 - 10:40 pm

 

Envision a pristine sunset filled with cotton candy pinks, watermelon reds & azure blues, a bag piper on a small hill over looking the misty green of Spanish Bay Golf Course.  The ocean is the backdrop for the entire week.  In your hand you hold a glass of Napa Valley’s finest wine, every sip reminds you of where you are…heaven.

This my friends, is the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am…  It is a first class food & wine event meets the FBR Open meets a Celebrity Golf Shoot out.

This is not an ordinary Pro Am, it is the Ultimate Celebrity Pro Am.  That being said
you would never believe who on the celeb roster is actually a good player.  Kenny G is a scratch golfer, George Lopez an 11 (and, incidentally, very dear friends with Lee Trevino) Kevin Costner is a 10, Ray Romano a 16.  Even Kelly Slater, Legendary Pro surfer tee’s it up with a 6.2 handicap, not too shabby!  I had the pleasure of meeting Luke Wilson (an 11.4 who I hear hooks everything) when I sat next to him at dinner in the always swingin’ “Tap Room” at The Lodge.  As I sat there he received a gift from a random fan of 5 different irons for his competition starting the next day while 2 hotties plopped down next to him. The girls, not minding their manners, totally disregarded my belongings on the seat.  Josh Duhamel (a sweet 16 handicap) better known as Fergie’s new fiancée, also sat next to me. Trust me he is even better looking in real life, even while slurping dirty martinis and mentally preparing for the days ahead.  When I said to him “my moneys on you Josh” he said “You’d have better luck lighting your money on fire”.  Then he proceeded to imitate eating his dinner with his putter clenched in his hands…kinda awkward but cute because he’s handsome. 

Not only does this tourney invite the crème de la crème of Lala Land but historically terrible weather is its guest.  Gloomy, grey skies tend to coat the peninsula specifically for this event, or snow as it did in 1962.  You would think you were in Ireland! “Where else can you have the greatest golfers play the greatest courses in the worst conditions?” Crosby used to say joyfully.   But not in 2008, Mother Nature decided to look her best.  I was fortunate to have hospitality overlooking the 18th green, one of the best views in golf.  In plain sight, dolphins frolicking, sea otter’s boasting their easy & playful way of life. The waves were ferocious; crashing like Mac trucks against the sea wall of the 18th fairway.  Ooohh’s, aahh’s & Ohhh’s were constantly chanted as if we were smurfs.  At one point during the tourney, Kelly Slater decided to throw on his wet suit, grab his board and proceed post round, right off the 18th green to take advantage of the swells.  It was quite a site to watch one of the world’s best surfers strut his stuff while Vijay Singh is making a putt. 
 
As all this was in motion, if it didn’t get any better, some of the worlds best Pros (no Tiger was not present, from what I hear the tourney is a little to slow & rambunctious for him) & Amateurs grace the stage at Pebble Beach, Poppy Hills & Spyglass.  CEO’s, A-B list Celebs & Pros come together to play for a 6 million dollar purse, body surf the crowd like Kevin James & raise money for the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. The Foundation raised $6.13 million dollars from the 2007 Pro Am. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that benefit the community in the areas of Youth, Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, and Community & Environment. The Foundation’s main source of funds is the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament.

Amongst all the glitz and glamour there is still serious golf being played. The AT&T is an official PGA Tour stroke play event.  Phil Mickelson won in 2007 at 20 under par. “This tournament and this golf course mean a lot to me because it’s a place where I have family memories,” said Mickelson, whose grandfather once caddied at Pebble Beach.  “I love coming back to this place.”   This year the tournament was won by Steve Lowery at 10 under par and was the 47 year old’s 3rd win since he turned Pro in 1983.  Lowery’s clutch birdie on the first playoff hole clinched the victory over Vijay Singh.

In order to truly appreciate the tourney it is important to understand its history.  It began as “The Crosby Clambake” a high profile soriee/tournament orchestrated by Bing Crosby in 1937.  It was originally played from 1937-1942 at Rancho Santa Fe Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, CA near San Diego where Crosby was also a member. Bing Crosby conceived his tournament as an affable little pro-am for his fellow members at Lakeside Golf Club and any other touring pros who could use the dough. He chipped in (no pun intended) $3,000 of his own money for the purse.  Bing was a quadruple threat. Not only is he a symbol of consummate entertainment but also a 2 handicap who competed in both the British and U.S. Amateur championships & was a five-time club champion at Lakeside Golf Club in Hollywood, CA.  The irony of it all; Bing Crosby died of a heart attack while playing golf in Madrid, Spain in 1977.  “If I were asked what single thing has given me the most gratification in my long and sometimes pedestrian career, I think I would have to say it is this tournament.”  Bing Crosby confessed before his death.   The tournament name was changed in 1985 & in 1986 AT&T became the title sponsor. Nathaniel Crosby Bing’s son, a 1981 U.S. Amateur champion still plays in the tournament today.   

Pebble Beach Golf Links is the site of the 2010 U.S. Open Championship.  It won’t be the first U.S. Open this course has hosted though. It was there in 72, 82, 92, 2000 & soon 2010.  PB is also slated to host a Women’s Open, date undetermined.           
As my grandmother says, “You can plan a pretty picnic but you can’t predict the weather” so I can’t guarantee you will have the conditions I describe above.  But I can guarantee a great Championship packed with striking views & world class golf.  It is rare that anyone attends a U.S. Open at a 5 Star Resort like Pebble Beach.  So if you don’t have plans June 14 – 20, 2010 put that one on the calendar.  Tickets go on sale to the General Public June 22, 2009 until 5 PM EDT on Aug. 1, 2009.

So to answer the question above, does heaven have a golf course?  Since heaven is on earth, the answer is YES & Pebble Beach sure delivers on that. One of best things about being a golf spectator or player, is it allows you to travel to some of the most beautiful places that you otherwise would not go to & meet people you would otherwise never meet.  Bing Crosby realized that fact, thus I would like to propose a toast to the legendary Bing Crosby, whose memory reminds us that it is possible to play competitive golf & have a blast at the same time.  CHEERS!

–

Special Thanks:  The MR Team & Spies, Robert Gilham who has discovered his new calling; photography, Johnny G, you make a fabulous tour guide but an even better nutella sandwich…Merci.

Photo Credit: Robert Gilham

Share