My first trip to Pebble Beach was in the summer of 1966. I was working at the Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, my boss was Nelson Spencer, and we had a rocket launch scheduled from Vandenberg Air Force Base (located outside of Santa Maria, on the California coast). During a down time in pre-launch preparations, two golf nuts (Spence and I) found the time to drive the 160 miles up to Pebble and play a couple of rounds of golf.
Back in the day, we carried our own bags and paid a whopping $25 greens fee. It was pure heaven, and I’ll never forget it. The course, the people, the ambience! That was the first time I saw the splendor that is Pebble Beach and the little nearby town of Carmel. I still have (and use) the drink coasters (among other momentos) I bought from the Pro Shop.
The Pro Shop at Pebble
After checking in, we rolled a few practice putts at the practice green between the shops, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and the first tee: they’re all right there together, and nothing could be more convenient.
The practice green outside The Lodge at Pebble Beach
Now, 44 years later, out on the course the beauty is everywhere. As you walk off the tee of the 5th hole, a quick look to the right will take you out into the ocean over stillwater cove.
Serene Dream
Just before you get to the 5th Green, looking right again you’ll see the challenge which runs along the right side of the par-5 6th hole ahead.
View of the 6th hole from the 5th
Once you’ve climbed the hill leading to the 6th Green, you can gaze right to preview the Home Stretch of 17 and 18:
Looking from the 6th hole towards the finish line
By the time you get to the 109-yard par-3 7th green, you’re out of breath and looking over the cove, to the land just this side of Monterey.
View across the front of the 7th Green
After a good drive onto the 8th fairway and hitting a shot over the canyon to the 8th green, you can walk up to the very edge of the cliff of doom (don’t go closer than about 5 feet) and look down. Wow, you can’t tell how firm the footing will be right at the edge, and in some places there’s turf overhanging with not much beneath it! Does the thought of getting these two stray golf balls tempt you? Do you want to add them to your shag bag?
They seem soooo close - I could use a few extra...
Well, when you go to play Pebble and are tempted up to the cliff’s edge, those two balls will probably still be there. But beware: from the edge it is about an 85 to 100 foot drop if you slip or the ground gives way beneath your feet. When the tide is in, you might survive a water landing, but I wouldn’t advise a fall onto the rocks when the tide is out!
85 foot drop
On holes 9 and 10, the beauty is so awesome it’s distracting.
A beautiful distraction
Look at the rugged beauty of this solitary tree that has found a home and survived, just short - left of the ninth Green.
Finding Your niche
There is plenty of beauty between the 10th hole and the 18th (and some great inland golf holes), but look at this seat for the US Open - right behind the 18th Tee.
Seals relaxing right behind the 18th Tee
Competing with the sea lions (seals) for a great view of the finishing hole is the Weeee Little Gent who built this seat (stool?) from seaside rock.
The Gnome's Seat
The Gnome wanted to have a good view of the 18th hole, so that with a little jump up, he can see the Tournament outcome. This is his view.
The Gnome's View of 18 at Pebble
My floppy Imperial hat is off to the USGA, the grounds crew and all the good folks at Pebble Beach. You’ve done a great job in preparing for what I’m sure will be a special, and memorible last two rounds of the 2010 U.S. Open. Please just don’t let the green firmness and speed get out of control (remember Shinnecock Hills)! Please let the players play, and may the best man win!
dp
dave pelz
