COURSE REVIEWS

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am:
Tiger Will Defend Championship
As PGA Tour Poised To "Go Low"

By David R. Holland,
Senior Regional Staff Writer

PEBBLE BEACH, CA -- Go low.

That might just be the motto for PGA Tour players this year after Mark Calcavecchia's 28-under tied the PGA Tour record for lowest score in a 72-hole event at the Phoenix Open last week.

It's something that all tour players know they must do every week after Tiger Woods' outstanding Player of the Year 2000 season.

Woods enters this week's (Feb. 1-4) AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am winless in 2001, but he fired a 65 in the final round of the Phoenix Open and seemed to get his putting stroke back. And even though Tiger finished tied for fifth, it was as far back he's finished in a tournament in nearly three years.

	Tiger Woods

Last year at Pebble Beach Woods rallied from a 7-shot deficit on the final day, posting a 64, and passing Matt Gogel, who had birdied his first three holes of the day. Five months later Woods returned to Pebble Beach to capture the 100th U.S. Open.

"I went from thinking about making more birdies to not wanting to make any mistakes," Gogel said. "I'm not the first pro who struggled with the back nine at Pebble Beach, and I won't be the last."

Calcavecchia's Phoenix Open showing tied him with John Huston, who also shot 28-under at the Hawaiian Open in 1998. But Calcavecchia's mark may be more impressive because of the cold and rainy hand-numbing weather that he faced in the Arizona desert.

• Past coverage of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am • Review: Spyglass Hill Golf Course • Review: Poppy Hills Golf Course

Earlier this season Brad Faxon went low with a 20-under-par performance at the Sony Open in Hawaii and it took 18-under for Jim Furyk to take the Mercedes Championships in Kapalua, Hawaii.

It was Calcavecchia's first win in nearly three years but the third time he has won on a TPC of Scottsdale course that is one of his favorites.

But Woods feels as much at home at Pebble Beach as Calcavecchia does in Phoenix.

"I can hardly wait to get there," Woods said of the Monterey Peninsula. "I love it there. I'm not playing badly. I just need to get some of those putts that have lipped out go in."

If you can believe it, the Phoenix showing was the fifth straight event that Woods has failed to win after last year's phenomenal season. He also had his streak of 52 straight rounds of par or better ended with a 73 in the second round.

	Mark O’Meara

Once again the field will be one of the strongest on tour with the likes of David Duval, Calcavecchia, Mark Brooks, Mark O'Meara, Paul Azinger, Corey Pavin, Peter Jacobsen, Vijay Singh, John Daly, Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Hal Sutton, Steve Elkington, David Toms, Jeff Maggert, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate.

Let's just hope the USA/CBS telecasts will include the real golfers more and forget about on-course promos, showing every single shot by celebrity-duffer Ray Romano.

History: In 1937, Bing Crosby invited a group of friends to get together for a golf and a "clambake" at Rancho Santa Fe in Southern California. That first get-together of Hollywood celebrities and great golfers gave birth to the first National Pro-Amateur Golf Championship, sponsored by Crosby, with Sam Snead taking the top prize of $500.

Bing later decided to bring his gathering to Pebble Beach, but wanted the tournament spread out over three courses: Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club's Dunes course.

The PGA Tour basically said "we just don't do things like that." But Crosby was insistent and asked, why not? Crosby told them it was done in England and the PGA Tour finally gave in.

Since then, the annual tournament at Pebble Beach has been a major happening of the PGA Tour's calendar.

Tournament Format:

An amateur and professional are paired for three days for a total of 54 holes. Each pairing plays one round at Pebble, Spyglass and Poppy Hills. There are 180 pros and 180 amateurs competing in the event for a total field of 360. Low 60 Professional and 25 pro-am teams play the final day at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Amateurs have an opportunity to play through to the last putt on the final days - provided that they, like the pros, make the final cut.

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.

Tuesday, Jan. 30: 8:00 a.m. Practice Rounds - All Courses. 2:00 p.m. Professional Shoot-Out at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Top PGA Tour professionals play holes #1,2,3,17,18. Prize money.

Wednesday, Jan. 31: 8:00 a.m. Practice Rounds - All Courses. 11:00 a.m. 3M Celebrity Challenge, Pebble Beach Golf Links. Celebrity amateurs play holes #1,2,3,17,18. Prize money donated to player's designated charity. 3:30 p.m. Payne Stewart Youth Clinic, presented by AT&T Pebble Beach Driving Range.

Thursday, Feb. 1: First Round Pro-Am: All courses.

Friday, Feb. 2: Second Round Pro-Am: All courses.

Saturday, Feb. 3: Third Round Pro-Am: All courses.

Sunday, Feb. 4: 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.

	Spyglass No. 14

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. Find out more about the local weather and look at an up-to-the-minute video snapshot of Monterey Bay.

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.

	Poppy Hills No. 9

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.