 |
| Beach House at Lovers Point at dusk |
Recently my wife Linda
and Hall of famer son MJ attended the 2018 US Amateur held at “Gods Home Of
Golf” Pebble Beach. We were involved as
proud volunteers. MJ and Linda were assigned to Fairway One welcoming sponsors
and players and I was lucky to be selected as a walking scorer watching these
“bombers of the future” try and win this special event at iconic Pebble
Beach.
We have done these
jobs before at the US Amateur held at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and at
the Presidents Cup and Cadillac Match play held at Harding Park. The US Open will
return to Pebble Beach next June in 2019 and PGA Championship and Presidents Cup at
Harding Park in 2020 and 2025. Harding Park is extra special for us as our
Hall of famer son MJ won his first of 48 Gold Medals at this San Francisco
treasure, filled with rich golf history.
Some famous players
who have won the US Amateur include Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson,
Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicklaus won the Amateur at Pebble Beach
in 1961 and was at his favorite course again this year watching his 49 year old
son try to win this coveted title. Gary qualified for the US Amateur beating a
14 year old player in a hard fought match.
We stayed at the
Abrego Hotel in Monterey offering a great location close to the golf course,
clean and reasonable priced rooms, nicely appointed with fireplaces, pool and
spa. In addition, having stayed here before they greet you with a bottle of
wine for being a past guest. If you are an NCGA Member, they also have a
discounted room rate.
We also enjoyed being
close to Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row. the Monterey Aquarium and to a
variety of many great restaurants.
One of our favorites
was the Beach House located on
Lovers Point. They have a stunning view of the beach and the deep blue Pacific.
It reminded us of our recent visit to Sydney, Australia. They have a sunset menu serving sand dabs,
salmon, pork chops, chicken and clam chowder glasses of wine for $3.95 and
lovers point micro brew for $3.00.. These specials are offered up to 5:30.
In addition, another
one of our favorite places is the famous Tap
Room at the Pebble Beach Lodge, voted one of the best 19th holes in
America. You never know who will be eating here and over the years we have
enjoyed meeting many golfers and celebrity’s like current number one ranked
golfer in the world Dustin Johnson. We also enjoy the rich history and their
famous Kobe burger.
In the charming
Oceanside town of Carmel, we enjoy strolling around this “live movie like
town” enjoying watching the many happy tourists and locals. There are a variety of creative stores, art shops and restaurants to keep
you busy for hours.
We especially like the genuine Greek food and vibrant atmosphere complete with singing waiters at Dametra’s. It doesn't get better than Breakfast at Katy’s Corner. Katy’s features morning specials named after local residents like golden voice golf announcer Jim Nance and former mayor of Carmel Clint Eastwood who are regular customers. It is rumored that Jim Nance also wants to be the future mayor of Carmel By The Sea.
My first assignment as a waking scorer was Raul Pereda from Mexico against Trey
Winstead from LSU. It was an exciting match full of birdies and lasting 23
Holes. Raul made a par on the 5th hole to win this exciting match. Trey made
birdies on 14,15, 16, 17 and 18 to send the match to sudden death. His dad
caddied for him and is also the golf coach at LSU.
Raul was also an
interesting young man. It was his first time playing Pebble Beach. I asked him
what he thought and he said, “it was the most beautiful place and course he has
ever seen.” The sad news is that one of these great young golfers had to lose
the match. In addition, the 23 hole match tied for the longest match in US
Amateur history in the last 20 years.
My second walking
scorer assignment was Cole Hammer from Houston, Texas who had the second lowest
qualifying score against Josh McCarthy from our hometown of Danville, Ca. Cole is from Houston, Texas and will be a
freshman at University Of Texas next year. Josh went to De La Salle High school
and is a junior at Pepperdine and played at Castlewood CC.
It was a seesaw match with Josh 3 putting on number 16 and losing 1 up. As Jack
Nicklaus says, “the Amateur is like winning a 5th major.”Cole fought hard to be
the US Amateur Champion but lost in the semi finals to Viktor Holland from
Norway and Oklahoma State who birdied 6 holes on the back nine.
Remember Cole’s name
as you will be sure to hear it again winning many more golf championships at
the University of Texas and on the pro golf tour.
We look forward to being part of the 2019 ATT Pro-Am in February and US Open next June at “Gods Home Of Golf.”
