Woods May Be Initiating Changes to Pebble Beach Event

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 18, 2009 11:10 AM EDT

California man Geoff Shackelford has been following the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am particularly closely this year. I think it started when Tim Finchem was announced a player in the field of the pro-am, then his tee times myesteriously were changed so that he and his partner wouldn't appear on TV, and the talk that Tiger Woods was going to be sponsored by AT&T.

Woods has said in the past that he would reconsider playing the Pebble Beach event - where he hasn't been since 2002 - if Poppy Hills was thrown out of the current rotation. Its five par 5s really slow down play and add to the frustration of 180 amateur teams trodding around three courses for six hour rounds.

Now, with AT&T secured as a Woods sponsor and the 2010 US Open returning to Pebble Beach, Woods will likely play in next year's event. That said, it may be changed some to be more to his liking.

Doug Ferguson reports on the suggested changes:

One recommendation is to lower the field size to 144 players, which some believe will alleviate the six-hour rounds or at least prevent three groups from stacking up on the par 5s. Poppy Hills, which has five par 5s, takes the longest to play.

The other component is the golf course, and among those mentioned as a replacement for Poppy Hills -- the weak link in the rotation -- is Cypress Point, rated as among the best courses in America. Cypress was dropped from the rotation in 1991 because of its exclusionary membership policies, which no longer is a problem.

Field size appears to have the most traction, though I think removing Poppy would be the better bet between the two.

The PGA Tour is saying that the Woods/AT&T relationship has nothing to do with the changes, but it is hard to not jump to conclusions.

In the same report, Ferguson also notes that Tiger's Chevron World Challenge has been moved to the first weekend in December per Woods' hope to be in the slot the week after the Skins Game. Could this signal a return to the Mercedes Benz Championship?

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I like the idea of shrinking the field – there are only a handful of celebrities anybody really wants to see anyway. The only drawback to a smaller field is fewer dollars going to charity.

Maybe put the amateurs up on the forward tees at Poppy and play them as par 4’s since the pros are hitting the green in 2 anyway.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 18, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

That’s not a half bad idea for Poppy.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 18, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's a little more Poppy commentary...

…from a 2003 article in the SF Chronicle:

“It’s just not a very good golf course,” one prominent Tour pro said.

Mark O’Meara, five-time winner of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, was only slightly more diplomatic.

“I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite course on the (Monterey) Peninsula,” he said.

Why, even one extremely prominent Tour pro — hint, his nickname is a synonym for a large, striped feline — walked to the 5th tee box at Poppy Hills last year and sighed, just loud enough for trailing writers to hear, “Ahhh . . . I love this golf course.”

He was not being sincere.

With Cypress’ membership issues resolved, I see no reason not to utilize the best available course.

Still and all, I’m with courtgolf when it comes to shrinking the field. To offset the potential loss of charity dollars perhaps they could raise the entry fees for the celebrities. Lord knows they have the money.

"Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into a even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose." - Winston Churchill

by turnover on Mar 18, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree on the increased cost to be in the pro-am. It’s a drop in the bucket, really.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 18, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Finchem is overpaid

If Tiger has that much clout, what does the Tour need a commissioner for?

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Mar 18, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Administrative? Totally kidding.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 18, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

it's not Finchem

AT&T is the big money sponsor – and Tiger is their guy. Tiger carries a lot of clout, and AT&T, being the title sponsor has a lot of say in the courses if they chose to put their foot down. I’m sure they would get some backing from other players who are not big on Poppy, either.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 18, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

AT&T is definitely not alone in this one. The players hate Poppy. But, AT&T is bigger because they sponsor 2 events (was 3 last year). The PGA Tour NEEDS them.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 18, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions