Gavilan Alum John Ellis tackles Pebble Beach at this week’s
AT
&
amp;T Pro-Am
Pebble Beach – Golfer John Ellis now knows that to get what you want, sometimes all you have to do is ask.
Even if what you want is a chance to compete in one of the PGA’s premier tournaments.
After successful year of play in 2005, the 25-year-old Live Oak grad thought he might have a chance at getting a spot in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
So Ellis and his agent wrote to the tournament organizers and asked for a sponsor’s exemption spot.
Two months ago on Christmas Eve, Ellis received good news. He got the exemption.
“I thought, ‘Shoot, let me think. OK, I’ll play,'” Ellis said.
Since then, Pebble Beach has been on his mind. Today, the former University of Oregon golfer will finally get to tee off.
“Really, I can’t wait for the tournament to start,” Ellis said.
As the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashed spectacularly into the rocks and cliffside along Pebble Beach’s 18th hole early Wednesday afternoon, Ellis finished his practice round. Spectators packed themselves three- and four-deep around the green of one of golf’s most picturesque holes and filled the stadium bleachers as well. Sure, they were really there waiting for Bill Murray, Justin Timberlake and the other celebrities participating in the 3M Celebrity Challenge who were finishing up in the 17th hole. But the final hole was still packed with onlookers as Ellis reached the green, much like it will be for Sunday’s final round.
And though the preview was nice, Ellis would prefer the real thing.
“I want to be walking up there Sunday,” said Ellis with a smile, as he paused for a few minutes after the round before heading to lunch.
Today, Ellis will tee-off with fellow pro Bo Van Pelt and amateurs Blake Bozman and Scott Anderson at 9:10am on the 10th hole of Poppy Hills and test his mettle against the tournament’s best, including defending champion Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh. Ellis will play Spyglass on Friday and Pebble Beach on Saturday.
Though successful, last year’s season ended in disappointment. For the second consecutive year, Ellis failed to make the cut in a second stage Q-school tournament at Bayonet Golf Course in Seaside in November. After taking third in October’s first stage tournament held at San Juan Oaks, Ellis finished 8-over and tied for 45th at the Seaside course. Once again, the San Jose native’s hopes of getting a chance on the PGA Tour would have to wait.
“At Q-school, you either get through or you don’t,” Ellis said. “I was a little frustrated.”
But a spot at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which begins today and ends Sunday, has presented Ellis with a chance to shine on a national stage at the PGA level. Two years ago, Ellis played as an amateur in the Pro-Am, but missed the cut. It was his first pro tournament and Ellis admits the experience was a bit daunting.
“I was more excited about seeing some of the guys I had watched growing up,” Ellis recalled. “Instead of practicing, I wanted to see those guys practice.”
This year, the Oregon alum feels differently competing as a pro.
“I feel like I belong,” he said. “I want to do well.”
Of the three courses he’ll play over the next three days, Ellis is most comfortable with Spyglass. He thinks all three courses play well to his strength, driving the ball.
“You have to drive well to make the par 5’s reachable and accessible from the fairway,” said Ellis, who drives the ball an average of 300 yards.
Though Pebble Beach isn’t a very difficult course, Ellis said it can present one challenge: Breathtakingly beautiful scenery.
“You can’t beat it,” said Ellis, motioning to the ocean view beyond the 18th green. “I think part of its difficulty is that you want to look out there and you can’t concentrate.”
