I didn’t know what to expect.
I’ve heard the tales, seen the images on TV and read about the
magic.
After parking in the overflow lot (which was a muddy disaster)
and trekking about a mile, sloshing through mud puddles and soggy
grass, I turned a corner and in front of me was the 18th green at
Pebble Beach.
”
Whoa.
”
I’m pretty sure I said it out loud, too.
PEBBLE BEACH
I didn’t know what to expect.
I’ve heard the tales, seen the images on TV and read about the magic.
After parking in the overflow lot (which was a muddy disaster) and trekking about a mile, sloshing through mud puddles and soggy grass, I turned a corner and in front of me was the 18th green at Pebble Beach.
“Whoa.” I’m pretty sure I said it out loud, too.
Even on a gloomy, overcast day, the landscape of one of the most beautiful golf courses shone through in a flickering reflection off the ocean. Everything seemed so crisp, so natural. The waves crashing along the shore mixed with a serene silence gave the golf course a relaxing peacefulness — even though there were buzzing crowds gathered along the ropes that outlined the fairways. I’m sure my eyes were as wide as a lost puppy in a big, scary world.
It only took a moment for the images to sink in. And after a deep breath, I put on my reporter cap and set out to take in the sights and sounds of the 2010 3M Celebrity Challenge on Wednesday afternoon. The celeb portion of the event is only a part of the annual AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament.
It was my first glimpse at Pebble Beach. I even got to show off my badge when questioned by a friendly marshal out on the course.
As I began to wander down the gallery walkway, I heard the names over the public address system.
“Tony Romo, lying two is away”
“Andy Garcia is next. He’s 185 yards out.”
“Kenny G is a scratch golfer, folks”
The initial thought for anyone might be: cool … celebrities.
I guess I have become a bit jaded. I just saw the guys out on the course as possible interview subjects to spice up this column. But then, I looked down at my pants and saw the mud gathering around my ankles and I immediately felt like a dork.
Ehh, everyone has a few spots on their khakis. I’m getting my quotes.
“Obviously it’s difficult because the greens are small and it plays longer because of the conditions,” said All-Pro Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who is a scratch golfer. “… Just the tradition. It stands out with the history of the game. It was fun. The fans are great and the people inside the ropes have been great also. First class all the way.”
Romo’s playing partner is no stranger to sports.
ESPN sports anchor Chris Berman is a big guy. It doesn’t appear that way when he is behind the desk delivering his weekly NFL picks as the Swami, but staring up at the guy, he must be 6-foot-4. Berman was more than gracious after the celebs finished their round to sign a bunch of autographs, chat with the fans and even video record a birthday wish.
“This event is so entrenched with volunteers, the fans and the community,” Berman said. “It’s almost impossible not to feel it, even being one of the players out there, although, I’m not a very good one.”
Berman shouldn’t feel too badly about his performance, though. Pebble Beach has a way of humbling even the best golfers in the world.
Actors Andy Garcia (“Ocean’s 11”) and Jeffrey Donovan (“Burn Notice”) were the big winners, holding off the field with a bogie on the par 5 18th to win $19,000 for their charities.
“It’s a magnificent course, but the crowds are so passionate about golf,” Donovan said. “They know that celebrities are going to be out here for a good cause. They want you to win so badly or pull off a great shot, so there is some added pressure. You don’t want to let them down.”
Actor Don Cheadle (“Rwanda”) wasn’t too thrilled (jokingly) with the outcome of the 5-hole event.
“All I have to say to is, ‘Booo,'” he quipped as he signed a few autographs.
With the absence of Celebrity Challenge regular Bill Murray, and with Ray Romano pulling out of the event, the comedic aspect of the event lacked in comparison to years past. However, it added more of a competitive feel, which isn’t a bad thing, unless you’re a spectator expecting total access to the stars.
I wasn’t about to take the long way back to my car, so I hopped in another vehicle specifically used to transport media members back to the parking lot.
It was just me and a local senior named Don. He was friendly and a little hard of hearing, but a great companion for the 10-minute drive.
He shared with me of how the tournament used to be in the 1950s, when it was the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, and where fans would walk the fairways with the likes of Jimmy Demaret, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead. It was a great conversation to cap an unforgettable first time at Pebble Beach.
I will have some extra laundry to do, but it will be the special Pebble Beach laundry.
Perhaps Mr. Berman said it best.
“God waits for tee times at Pebble.”
