2017 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

[Wally Fairway]

10 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Ah, good point! Went back and re-read the post. Back when we played it cost $190 per to play Spyglass, and $250 per to play Pebble. The only issue was that we could get a time on Spyglass a couple of months in advance. At Pebble anything less than a year was laughable! Nowadays I think it takes 5 Hundy per to play Pebble! Plus whatever you have to shell out for lodging and meals, which ain't cheap!

Yeah when we played there 10 years ago it was $350 for Spy Glass, I think $280 for Links @ Spanish Bay, and the deal of the trip was about $60 for Pacific Grove. It was great, I would love to go back.
Yes, we did it that way because we could get tee times on any of the courses either 60 or 90 days out, but PB was available on the day before (unless staying on property); and by then you've made your other tee times and you'd forfeit the greens fees you'd paid. I was also disappointed because when we went Poppy Hills, which was part of the AT&T at the time, had just aerated the greens so nobody else in our group wanted to play there. Kind of laughably, in recognition of state of the course they were comping cart fees.

Although there isn't any of the history, I think that Arcadia Bluffs offers some of the beauty you get from Pebble or Whistling Straits (I can't compare to Bandon Dunes course as I haven't been to them) and comparatively a bargain, especially if you consider travel time/expense.
 

[Bucki1968]

I'm glad that most of the top players came out to play at Pebble. For a number of years, I don't think the tournament got a very good field because of the pro-am format. It seems like the younger players are embracing playing in the Pro Ams. The Bob Hope used to be one of my favorites also but it seems like it just doesn't attract the great fields anymore.

[Finman]

What an unbelievable experience.  Definite bucket list item fulfilled.  

Also, I don't know if they had this televised or anything but I witnessed Wayne Gretzky blade a wedge shot across the green and nail a lady in the face.  He was very apologetic, and she was fine.   

[Gunther]

The reason for the Tiger comparison is because there is no one else with whom to compare Spieth's accomplishments to this point in his career, not because anyone believes he'll hit 14 majors or 79 total Ws.  Although 10 and 50 I think is realistic.

[iacas]

15 hours ago, Gunther said:

Just an FYI to y'all, Jordan Spieth just won his 9th PGA  Tour event.  He's on Tiger's tail, with an exponentially harder field to contend with.  This is some shit.

Tiger started later in life. So the "age" comparisons are going to favor Jordan (except, even that one doesn't, as Tiger won his ninth at a younger age).

Also, "exponentially" harder field?

[skydog]

I continue to be amazed out how skeptical/cynical/whatever you want to call it some folks are regarding Spieth. I have no idea how idea how his career is going to end up looking 20 years form now but for now he's accomplished things that only a few others have at his age (Tiger, Jack, and Seve) and I think we should enjoy it while it lasts.

Edited February 13, 2017 by skydog

[Gunther]

33 minutes ago, iacas said:

 

Also, "exponentially" harder field?

Precision matters but I was about 4 Crowns in at the time I wrote that.  Given that, the hyperbole wasn't as bad as it could have been.

As I've said, often, I do not expect Jordan to surpass Tiger's accomplishments but it is a logical comparison to make.  One might also compare him to Jack and/or Rory but Tiger is the modern standard-bearer.

[iacas]

Just now, Gunther said:

Precision matters but I was about 4 Crowns in at the time I wrote that.

Fair enough.