Most golfers have that bucket list of courses that they would so love to play. A trip to Fife and St. Andrews is always near the top of any true golfer’s list.
Just going to The Masters, forget playing Augusta National, is a staple on all our dream lists too.
We all fantasize about taking a shot at the island green 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass without splashing one. And lately names like Bandon Dunes, Streamsong and Cabot Links are modern additions to an avid golfer’s wish list.
But a staple on anyone’s list certainly is Pebble Beach. Robert Louis Stevenson called this piece of property “The most felicitous meeting of land and sea in creation.” And he got it right.
The PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am showcases one of the most scenic courses in all the world and that is what makes this week worth watching. Most of us know Pebble’s famous holes fairly well as we have watched the pros and amateurs make their way over that beautiful piece of land.
But this is a week of the good, the bad and the ugly. The Good: Pebble Beach. I can enjoy that course from 3,000 miles away while sitting on my couch. And I can also get a close up view from Pebble’s Golf Cam’s right here.
The Bad: The Pro-AM, emphasis on the AM. I understand it’s an important part of the history of the tournament but CBS spends too much time covering the “celebrities” and the amateurs. I really don’t care what some rich CEO, “one percenter” is doing on Pebble. Show me the pros…or at least the course.
The Ugly: First of all that 17th hole swing breakdown by Peter Kostis. Do we want to see Andy Garcia or Ray Romano’s swing in slow motion…eeech! And while I love Bill Murray, Caddyshack of course but St. Vincent was awesome too, but his act on Pebble is played out.
But the stage is set for an interesting tournament with Brandt Snedeker back to defend last year’s title and just coming off a win at Torrey Pines. Jordan Spieth and Jason Day are here to reignite their “Big 3” rivalry.
Phil Mickelson is worth watching anytime he tees it up and he insists that new swing of his is just oh so close. And even the bi-polar Bubba Watson is in the field. I am interested to see what Bubba thinks of this course. If anyone can complain about Pebble it would be Bubba.
Somehow, I think even Bubba has to be happy playing on Pebble.
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