COURSE REVIEWS

AT&T Pebble Beach:
Stage Is Set For Tiger’s Streak

By David R. Holland,
Senior Regional Staff Writer

 

	Tiger Woods

PEBBLE BEACH, CA -- Tiger’s back.

After a three-week layoff, skipping the Sony Open in Honolulu, the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in the Palm Springs area and the Phoenix Open, Tiger Woods has chosen the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am as his stage for continuing “the streak”.

The Pebble Beach event, played also at Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills, begins Thursday, Feb. 3 and tournament spokesperson Cathy Scherzer said it will be the strongest field in the history of the event with all of the Top Ten-ranked golfers in the field.

The streak is consecutive tournament victories and Woods has five. Ben Hogan was the last player to win five straight, in either 1953 or 1948. There is a discrepancy because the tour didn't count the British Open as an official event in 1953, when Hogan won it.

Should Tiger keep winning, the all-time record of 11 tournament victories in a row by Byron Nelson in 1945, could fall at The Masters with a Woods’ victory. He would have also matched his 1999 total of eight wins and would be the career PGA Tour money leader at only 24 years old. In 1999 Woods won a record $6,616,585.

Woods has already admitted his streak of five is a whole lot different, because it spans two seasons.

“What Byron Nelson did and what Hogan did was done in the same calendar year," Woods said. "To do it in the same season is different than having it spread over time, from one calendar year to the next.”

	Paul Azinger

After winning the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu on Jan. 16, Paul Azinger attended the Pebble Beach tournament media day. Normally the defending champion is in attendance, but Azinger was standing in for his long-time friend Payne Stewart, the 1999 Pebble Beach Pro-Am champion, who died in a plane crash on Oct. 25, 1999.

Azinger injected his own scenario about Woods and the streak: “This guy has his mind set on winning the Grand Slam," Azinger said. "He has to be the most confident player to ever play, Jack Nicklaus included. I'm just saying it wouldn't surprise me, and I believe (Woods) thinks it's possible. I think Woods also has his mind set on winning the Grand Slam."

Woods' amateur partner has not been announced. Past amateur partners have been his dad, Earl Woods, and actor Kevin Costner. But this year everyone believed his partner would be Michael Jordan -- that, however, was before Jordan became part owner of the Washington Wizards.

Woods has indicated he will play in the next four PGA Tour events. Following the Pebble Beach event, Woods will defend his title at the Buick Invitational in La Jolla. Then it's on to the Nissan Open in Pacific Palisades and the WGC-Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship in Carlsbad at LaCosta Resort and Spa.

• Review: Spyglass Hill Golf Course • Review: Poppy Hills Golf Course • Past California course reviews

Tiger’s best finish at the AT&T was a tie for second in 1997, the year Mark O’Meara won. Last year he finished 13 strokes off the pace in the three-round event, which was eventually finished and won by Stewart in August.

This year’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am will be well-represented by foreign players because the 2000 U.S. Open is scheduled for here in June. Those committed are Spain's Sergio Garcia, France's Jean Van de Velde and New Zealand's Frank Nobilo. It will be Van de Velde’s first look at Pebble Beach.

Celebrities confirmed for the event are familiar Hollywood faces Jack Lemmon, Kevin Costner, Andy Garcia and Samuel L. Jackson along with a newcomer, Ray Romano. Among the athletes confirmed are Mark Grace, John Elway and Jerry Rice.

Another duo destined to be a gallery favorite is former champion O'Meara and Ken Griffey Jr. David Duval has also said he’ll play. Garcia initially wanted approval for his teenage sister to be teamed with him, but she couldn’t take the time off from school.

In the Leather

Mark Michaud, Pebble Beach’s superintendent for the past seven years, recently announced he’s leaving. Saying he had accomplished what he wanted to at the world’s most famous golf course, Michaud said he wanted to return to his native East Coast.

Michaud, 38, supervised a staff of 27 greenskeepers and last year watched over the finish of the new No. 5 hole on Stillwater Cove.

U.S. soccer star Brandi Chastain won't play in the AT&T this year, but she has agreed to participate in the annual youth clinic Feb. 2. That clinic will be named in Payne Stewart's honor beginning this year. The clinic begins at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Starting Times & Schedule of Events: Play begins at 8 a.m. each day and concludes at approximately 4 p.m. Complimentary pairing sheets are distributed at the courses Thursday through Sunday.

Monday, Jan. 31, 2000:
Practice Rounds: All courses

Tuesday, Feb. 1:
Practice Rounds: All courses. Dockers™ Past Champions Shoot-Out: 2 p.m. at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Past tournament winners play holes #1, 2, 3, 17, 18 for prize money. One player eliminated on each hole.

Wednesday, Feb. 2:
Practice Rounds: All courses. 3M Celebrity Challenge: 11 a.m. at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Six celebrity amateurs play holes #1, 2, 3, 17, 18 with prize money donated to player's favorite charity. One player eliminated on each hole. Bank of America Youth Clinic: 3:30 p.m. at Pebble Beach Driving Range. Free golf clinic conducted for youngsters (and their parents) by a well-known PGA TOUR professional and celebrity amateur.

Thursday, Feb. 3:
First Round Pro-Am: All courses.

Friday, Feb. 4:
Second Round Pro-Am: All courses.

Saturday, Feb. 5:
Third Round Pro-Am: All courses.

Sunday, Feb. 6:
Final Round at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Low teams and professionals in the money. Waterford Crystal trophy will be presented to the winner following play on the 18th green.

Getting from one course to another:

Beginning Thursday there are courtesy shuttle buses between the courses. Your ticket entitles you to access all three courses.

Dressing for Comfort

Weather on the peninsula is unpredictable, with many daily temperature variations. It is best to wear several layers of clothing and comfortable walking shoes.

How will I know where to find my favorite player?

Players make their own tee times during practice rounds, Monday through Wednesday. Check with the pro shop for your favorite. Tournament pairings are not confirmed until late Wednesday. Free daily pairing sheets are available beginning Thursday.

What time does play begin?

Tee times start around 8 a.m. and play generally concludes by 4 p.m. Take a look at the daily schedule for up-to-date information.

Cameras and Cell Phones?

No to both. The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am does not allow cameras during the event. (Thursday through Sunday) Cameras may be used Monday through Wednesday. Please be courteous, however; no camera clicks on the backswing! Cell phones and cameras will be confiscated.

Will there be food available?

Food and beverage concessions are located at all three courses. You may also bring your own.

What about autographs?

While our tournament is more relaxed than most, remember the pros are competing for high stakes, so please wait until after play has concluded to seek autographs.

Where does the money go?

Net proceeds from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am goes to support a wide variety of worthwhile charitable organizations. For more information about the charities involved, please see our charitable organizations page.

Parking:

You will see "AT&T Golf" signs on the highway directing you to general spectator parking on the site of the former Fort Ord army base Thursday, Friday and Saturday; free shuttles will take you to the tournament. All other days, follow signs to Pebble Beach and traffic control personnel will direct you to available parking.

Directions:

From the San Francisco Bay Area: Take 101 South. In Prunedale, take the "Monterey Peninsula" exit, Highway 156 West. Follow Highway 156 into Highway 1 South. Follow the blue "AT&T Golf" signs (in the old Fort Ord) to Shuttle areas or the Tournament.

From Southern California: Take Interstate 5 North. Take Highway 46 West to Highway 101 North. Follow 101 North for 100 miles to Salinas. In Salinas, exit at the "Monterey Peninsula" off-ramp, Highway 68 West. Follow Highway 68 West into Highway 1. Take Hwy 1 North to convenient off-site parking & shuttle. Exit at CSU, Monterey Bay (The shuttle is offered Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only.) Take 101 South to go directly to the tournament. Follow the blue "AT&T Golf" signs.

TV Schedule:

All times are Pacific. Thursday, noon to 3 p.m., USA Network. Friday, noon to 3 p.m., USA. Saturday, noon to 3 p.m., CBS. Sunday, noon to 3:30 p.m., CBS.