Pandemic gives AT&T a different feel at Pebble Beach

PLWWLL WLAER >> The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am wasn’t supposed to be held without spectators. But unprecedented times have called for unparalleled measures.

Oh, the sound of clubs striking golf balls will still be heard this week as the PGA Tour tournament officially tees off Thursday at 8 a.m. at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. But for the thousands of fans who annually come from all over the world to attend, there will be no wandering the golf cart paths of the Monterey Peninsula’s golf courses or eavesdropping on conversations between PGA pros and celebrities.

COVID-19 safety measures will keep spectators from attending this year’s event as the pandemic continues to alter lifestyles.

No PGA Tour tournaments in California have been allowed to have spectators since the resumption of the tour, following a temporary shutdown in March because of the pandemic.

“It was not the decision we wanted to make,” said Steve John, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO and tournament director, earlier this month. “Yet, we all agreed this was the right thing to do.”

While the Pebble Beach Lodge will reopen this week, those who stay there will only have access to the event from their hotel rooms, as no one without a

credential will be allowed on the course.

Golf fans can still watch the tournament as the Golf Channel and CBS will show the event live throughout the week.

Yet, you can forget any hope of catching a glimpse of some of your favorite actors, singers or athletes

from other sports cruising around the Peninsula.

Several changes have been made for this year’s tournament, with the biggest being the elimination of amateur players in the field. That means you won’t be seeing Bill Murray, Ray Romano or Aaron Rodgers taking their hacks right alongside the PGA pros. That will leave 156 professionals on the links, paired into groups of four.

The event trimmed its courses from three to just Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill and moved the cutdown date to Friday instead of Saturday. Just 65 golfers will play the final 36 holes.

“We will truly miss watching the actors, musicians, athletes and other amateur participants that make the event so special,” John said.

All three special events that normally serve as a tease to the main event leading up to Thursday have also been wiped out by the pandemic, including the Chevron ShootOut, which has traditionally kicked things off the

Tuesday before the tournament.

However, John was able to create a unique charitable event for Wednesday, that will raise $1.6 million for charities, called the “Every Shot Counts Celebrity Challenge.”

Murray will pair up with 2020 amateur champion and Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald to form one of three teams in the Whiskey Run at Pebble Beach, which uses holes 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18.

“Big Little Lies” actor Kathryn Newton and 2015 Miss America Kira K Dixon will be one team, while rap singer Macklemore and “America’s Funniest Home Video” host Alfonso Ribeiro will be paired together.

The event will be shown live on GOLF channel.