COURSE REVIEWS

Weekend Notepad:
Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

By David R. Holland,
Senior Regional Staff Writer

 

	Notah Begay

PEBBLE BEACH, CA -- Notah Begay had just finished his stint in the interview room when he quietly stepped into a media shuttle to head back to the Pebble Beach Golf Links practice area. In his hand was a copy of the latest Sports Illustrated.

His 6-under-par 66 at Poppy Hills in the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am gained him a tie for the lead with David Duval and Vijay Singh and more importantly had gained him some peace of mind. The testy last couple of weeks had drained him mentally and physically.

As the shuttle took off Begay opened the magazine and began read an article -- an article he wrote about his recent arrest for DWI in his home of Albuquerque, N.M. Not only was he embarrassed, but he felt he let “his” people down. “His” people being Native Americans, a group that deals daily with the stigma of alcohol abuse.

In three weeks, starting Feb. 27, Notah Begay is going to jail. His 364-day sentence was suspended to seven days. But that makes his 66 impressive to say the least.

“From the very start I haven’t tried to hide this or make excuses for what happened,” Begay said. “I have nothing to hide and I’m not backing down from what I did.”

The 27-year-old is now contemplating his position in life. He asks: “Am I an alcoholic?” He doesn’t think so, but he intends to seek counseling and is thinking about giving up alcohol for good.

He’s sponsored by Nike, just like his Stanford teammates Tiger Woods and Casey Martin. “I called Nike and told them it was OK if they wanted to pull my sponsorship,” said the 27-year-old. “I just laid it on the table and they assured me they weren’t even thinking about that. But I gave them the option because I was so disappointed in myself and expecting the worst.”

Now he’s going about his business. Other PGA Tour players are patting him on the back and wishing him good luck. And the shock has even worn off enough that his buddies can joke with him.

“Casey gives me a hard time about having to go to jail,” Begay said. “So when he puts it in a very humorous mode, it’s a lot easier to let it blow over. I’m not really dwelling on it anymore. I’m just trying to hit fairways.”

• Preview: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am • Wednesday's Pebble Beach Coverage • Past PGA Tour tournament coverage

As the shuttle pulled up to let Begay off at the practice area you could see he was heading for his therapy and escape -- golf. Whether it be practice or tournament play, on the golf course Begay can concentrate on what makes him tick.

Who Is The Real Leader Of This Golf Tournament?

When a golf tournament is held at three different courses -- Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills -- there’s lots of discussion after the first round of who the real leader is. Year after year the highest scoring average is recorded at Spyglass, but only when the wind is calm at Pebble Beach.

So after the first round the top score at Spyglass was Grant Waite’s 4-under-par 68. Waite started Friday on the fourth hole after playing three holes on Thursday at even. An eagle at the par-5 11th gave him a 32 on the back nine.

Poppy Hills Gets Some Praise For A Change

Poppy Hills’ Director of Golf Bob Higgins hasn’t heard a lot of praise from the PGA Tour players over the years about his golf course. He normally hears grumbling.

Paul Azinger said the best hole on the course is the 19th. Mark O’Meara has been a critic and admits he just doesn’t like the course.

	Tiger Woods

But there were some kind words being spoken on Friday. Tiger Woods had just finished his best round ever at Poppy -- a 68 -- and he said: “The greens were great. All the bunkers were in perfect condition. I mean the grounds crew did a fantastic job and it wasn’t easy.” “The greens were not as soft as I thought they would be,” said Duval of Poppy Hills. “The drainage they have done on this golf course has made a big difference. They have done a heck of a job here.”

Sergio Garcia, however, said: “The greens got very wet and it was tough to play through the footprints.”

You would think having five par-5 holes would make Woods and the long knockers drool, but it also has narrow and tree-lined fairways with lots of sidehill and uneven lies.

Remember Steve Scott?

Remember the gutsy player that gave Tiger Woods all he could handle in the 1996 U.S. Amateur? That was Steve Scott, who is playing in his first PGA Tour event because of a sponsor’s exemption. He was part of that Poppy Hills’ leaderboard, finishing a 4-under-par 68.

“I’m just trying to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Scott, who took Woods to 38 holes in that U.S. Amateur competition before falling. “This is a good start. I’m looking forward to many more days like this.”

Early Amateur Leaders

Pro Perry Moss and amateur partner Tim LaBeau were 10-under-par at Spyglass Hill to lead the pro-am portion of the tournament. Moss is a fourth-year pro and LaBeau is president of American Sales Company and a 15-handicapper.

Even with an aching back, actor Kevin Costner and pro Brian Hull, are in second place one stroke back.