PEBBLE BEACH FLY-BY 2009


PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS - Pebble Beach, CA
A      -    Playability & Challenge                 
A      -    Quality of Course                                                    
A+    -    Memorability                     
A      -    Service Levels                
A+    -    Pro Shop
A+    -    19th Hole Experience
A+    -    OVERVALL EXPERIENCE

SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE - Pebble Beach, CA
A      -    Playability & Challenge                 
A-     -    Quality of Course                                                    
A      -    Memorability                     
A      -    Service Levels                
B      -    Pro Shop
N/A   -    19th Hole Experience
A      -    OVERVALL EXPERIENCE

THE LINKS AT SPANISH LINKS - Pebble Beach, CA
B      -    Playability & Challenge                 
A      -    Quality of Course                                                    
A      -    Memorability                     
A      -    Service Levels                
A      -    Pro Shop
A      -    19th Hole Experience
A      -    OVERVALL EXPERIENCE

FOR PB FLY-BY PHOTOS ... CLICK HERE!

* February 26 - Spyglass Hill Golf Course    
      (2/26/09 - 6:06 p.m.) ... A dozen Golfest members, representing six different states, converged on the Pebble Beach Resort for the much-hyped PB FLY-BY.  Although the weather forecast and the constant thumping of windshield wipers on the drive in didn't look promising, mother nature cooperated and dished up some commendable weather for our opening event at Spyglass.
  
     After an early check-in at the spacious rooms at the Inn at Spanish Bay, we converged on the Spyglass Grill for some grub and a bucket of balls on the range.  Today's golf featured all ends of the spectrum.  Everybody seemed a little bit rusty, but as the sun peeked through, so did some great golf shots.  Probably the most unusual shots came courtesy of Steve Adams, who is recovering from ruptured Achilles tendon surgery.  He wore a knee high medical boot and "sasquatched" his way around the course with a respectable 92.  Mike Werner had low score of the day with a 86, followed by Bob Potts with an 88.  Jeffrey Adkins, who was bedridden with pneunomia for the past five days, had a score that represented a summer temperature in Phoenix.

     The course was in great shape, and because of the wet weather, iron shots were sticking on the greens, so everyone was shooting at the pins -- some more successful than others!  The course was basically empty as our groups began teeing off at noon.  We had the run of the joint, because we didn't run into any other groups the rest of the day.  Because of the lack of golf in recent months, the Advil is already being consumed in anticipation of tomorrows walk at Pebble Beach.  The forecast looks good, so all systems are go. ...  Dinner is at 7:30 p.m.

* February 27 - Pebble Beach Golf Links
    (2/27/09 - 6:08 p.m.) ... I am not sure what it is about Pebble Beach that makes it the ultimate golf experience.  Could it be the awesome front nine that overlooks the Pacific Ocean?  Or the fact the place has an aura of rich golf history?  Maybe it's the caddy experience, wear you walk 18-holes and feel like Tiger Woods for a day?  Or the comraderie that gets stepped up a notch or two when playing the place just known as Pebble?  

     The weather was absolutely beautiful as the Golfest dozen tackled the most famous 18-holes in the United States.  A slight breeze about midway through the round made some of the par-5's challenging, but it was a great day.  Low round of the day went to Spanky Hayes and Bob Potts who worked their way around with 87's. 

     The contest of the day took place between the team Jim's (Allen & Dee) against Mike Werner and Jeffrey Adkins.
Yesterday's scores made this a straight up contest.  However, the Jim's ham and egged our way around to rout the Adkins-Werner team for six Ben Franklins.  I shot a 43-48, and Dee chalked up a pair of 46's in an entertaining "trash-talking" event that had our caddy's in stitches.

     High score honors went to Tony Lopez.  While Jeffrey Adkins high score yesterday mirrored the high summer temperatures in Arizona  ... Mr. Lopez had swing-plane issues that made his scorecard resemble the summer temperatures in ... Dubai.  Those are estimated to be in the 129 degree range.  Either way, Tony admitted to having the time of his life on the famous course.

     Our group dropped $1200 for dinner last night at Roy's.  The service was good, but unless you ordered seafood, the rest of the menu was average at best.  Considering Roy's great reputation, it must have been an off night.

    We took a bunch of great photos.  If you ever have the chance to play Pebble Beach, my advice is to do it.  Forget about the $420 price tag.  Bottom line -- it's worth every penny!

* February 28 - The Links at Spanish Bay
     (3/28/09 - 3:37 p.m. - sitting at the airport) ...  Man ..., it's amazing how fast 48-hours flashes by when you're having fun.  Throw in some great courses, some unique personalities, a short two-day window, a Golfest-twist, and it's always a guarantee that a great trip will break out.  Luckily we brought cameras to capture our Kodak moments, because just as quickly as this FLY-BY started, it was time to repack our bags.  Of course our bags include some additional PB logo gear as our group continued to support the local enonomy by way of the Pro Shop.

     Today's 7:00 a.m. tee times at Spanish Bay came way to early for our group.  While some hotel rooms were heard rustling around at 5:00 a.m., many others had to skip breakfast to get their clubs loaded up in the cart.  Warm-ups?  Our brisk heart-pumping warm ups consisted of bending over and tying our golf shoes.  On this morning, the foursome of Jim Allen, Jim Dee, Spanky Hayes and Danny Young were the first group out on the damp course on a crisp morning.  

     After an entertaining Italian dinner last night at the Inn at Spanish Bay, many were somewhat surprised that Jeffrey Adkins made the call.  But then again ..., maybe not ..., because Jeffrey always makes the call, no matter what
solar system the bar tab reaches.  Mr. Adkins was feeling no pain at a dinner that had all of us in stitches.  Man, if there is one thing this group can do well ... it's laugh at stupid stuff.

     As far as the golf was concerned, Spanish Bay threw most of us a change-up.  After enjoying the nice wide fairways at Spyglass and Pebble, Spanish Bay dished up a target-sytle golf links experience.  If your ball wasn't on target, you were typically searching for your ball in a a deep bunker, a sand dune, or some heavy foilage.  Ask me how I know that?  About five holes into the event, the sun came blaring through in a great finishing event to our PB FLY-BY.  A perfect ending to a perfect fly-by.  Unfortunately ..., now it's time to get back to reality.

     Here are few remaining notes and quotes from the Pebble Beach Fly-By ...  Our alleged premise for scheduling the trip was to support the local economy during these trying times.  Okay ... , I agree ..., that is a little farfetched, but it sure looked good on paper.  But if one thing is true, if you plan to visit the Pebble Beach Resort, you better bring your VISA card -- and be prepared to use it.      


     While the PB U.S. Open Preview package was affordable ($1280 per person - double occupancy) and included three rounds of golf and a couple of nights at Spanish Bay, the rest of the experience adds up quickly.  Especially if one wants to do the basics, like eating or drinking.  If you need an example, Jim Dee offered to buy a couple of vodka-cranberries at the Spanish Bay lounge.  That gracious act set him back $31.50, plus a tip.  No ..., that's not a misprint; no ..., it wasn't a tall; and no ..., it wasn't a double.  However, I think that is a new Golfest record of some sort. ... Included as part of the PB package was a gift box that featured a commemorative 2010 U.S. Open desk clock.  It didn't make up for the $15 cocktails, but It's pretty cool. ...  Upon our return, I received many inquiries on how much the PB experience actually costs these days.  Green fees continue to be among the highest in the world, racking up $495 worth of frequent flyer miles on your credit card.  The caddy will add another $75, plus another $50 for a tip.  That works out to just over $34 per hole -- or in my case, about $6.81 per stroke.  Gives a whole new meaning to the words money shot.  Just in case you are wondering, it's a great investment at any price. ...  Many of the caddys do a good job of enhancing the experience.  They definitely help in the putting department, knowing all of the little nuances of the greens.  And it seems like they will never let you lose a ball, unless you dump it in the ocean.  They find everything. ... By the way, few of us escaped the resort without scoring some PB logo apparel and/or merchandise -- which reminds me, I need to pay my VISA card. ...