Pebble Beach
Any time you get a chance to visit Pebble Beach grasp it with both hands, the place is extraordinary.
We turned up on the off chance of booking a tee time. I’d researched that single players have a pretty good chance of a time and I wasn’t wrong. The pro-shop offered me a number of slots for the following day, joining up with a couple of other green fees. I booked my caddie, did some damage to the credit card in the extensive pro shop and headed for lunch in the clubhouse. We sat around one of the fire pits overlooking the 18th and admired the view. I say view but it was misty, dank and rather chilly, I hoped for an improvement for my round booked for the next day.
We headed back to our hotel in Carmel hoping for better conditions, After a night of little sleep I woke to blue skies and no wind; what a result.........
The check in process is slick and welcoming, every member of staff knows this is a bucket list experience for most and they make you feel special (you would hope so for the price). I was taken up to the practice ground to warm up in the complimentary shuttle, even this is a great experience, piles of Taylor Made, logo’ design balls (Pace of play 4:30).
It was then off to the putting green, directly in front of the clubhouse and shops. A quick WhatsApp back to the UK and my mates are tuned in to the live webcam watching me have a putt. The beauty of technology.
The first tee, legs shaking and hands barely able to grip the club! It’s a big dogleg right and doesn’t warrant a driver so a small headed rescue makes the challenge even worse. I get it away, push it slightly into the right rough, but we’re off and away. The first couple of holes lull you in to a false sense of expectation, fairly plain, no notable views but boy are your senses smacked between the eyes when you reach the 3rd green and 4th tee. Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, cliffs, immaculate fairways and a sense of what’s to come.
Every hole is a masterpiece and there’s not a single hole I don’t remember (unusual for any course, even the greats like St Andrews there’s only 1, 17 & 18 that stick in the mind). My caddie recounted me with stories of carrying the bags of Annie and Jack and what club they hit from where and which were their favourite holes. The caddy experience was amazing and well worth it. It give you the time to take in the views, take pictures and soak in the incredible atmosphere. A particular memory is walking to the 8th green having hit my second shot over the ravine (Jacks favourite hole) and on to the green, the caddy hands me my putter immediately quoting ‘nothings better than a long walk with a putter’.
The entire experience is magical, but the tee shot on 18 is you have ever seen, the signature ‘Lone Cypress Tree’ and the surrounding lodges is a memory that never fades. A decent drive, long second and a wedge to the green sees me with a birdie putt, two putts later and I’ve made my par on 18, something for the grand kids along with breaking 80. Thanks Pebble, you were emotional.
