It’s not something you pass up every day…the chance to play Pebble Beach whilst on a trip to California, so naturally I jumped at the chance. My first experience was the 17 mile drive to reach my accommodation at the Lodge and straight away this gets the golfing juices flowing and the heart pumping in anticipation of what awaits at the end of the short drive from Monterey Peninsula Airport. I was put up in a Garden View Room…well, I say room, but it was more like a villa suite with so much space and plush toiletries that I immediately felt like a king while enjoying views over the first fairway…I was truly in golfing heaven!
My round was booked in for 3pm that same day and my initial amazement was the general buzz around the clubhouse, pro-shop and mini village area with many people all wanting a piece of the action in one form or another. I was fortunate to be playing with their Director of Business Development Joe Fijol, whom was the perfect gentlemen and ideal company for my first time around this famous course which has become one of the leading lights in American Golf.
The par 5 6th at Pebble Beach is part of one of the most spectacular collections of golf holes in the world.
My round started somewhat shakily, yet with no excuses as the weather was ideal with sunny skies and a mild breeze and while I won’t bore you with my score on every hole, I easily could…it was that memorable! There were some highs and some lows from a personal playing perspective, but nothing could take away the enjoyment factor of walking the fairways on one of the world’s greatest golf courses. One thing that fascinated me and something I hadn’t considered before teeing off is how much wildlife you get to see in one round. It certainly helped having Joe by my side to point these things out! There were dear running across fairways in front of me and when I reached the jaw dropping coastline stretch of holes 4 through 10, I was amazed to see a school of 15ft Tiger Sharks, seals with newborn pups, starfish and even a humpback whale!
YGT’s man, Robin Couchman, taking aim at the par 3 7th where he would go on to bag a birdie!
One thing I do feel compelled to mention was my overwhelming excitement at making a 2 at one of the most famous short holes in golf, the stunning par 3 7th! Ok so I will also drop in the fact that I snuck a birdie 4 at the intimidating par 5 18th finishing hole…something I will remember forever!
In the setting sun Robin arrives at the 18th tee…four strokes later his round at Pebble was complete.
If it’s on your “bucket list” (as the Americans put it), for golf courses to play in your life and you didn’t realise you could, make sure you put it firmly at the top of said list. Being a public course, anyone can play and in my humble opinion it’s worth every penny and every cent even if just for the bragging rights alone!
I hope to return to play it again one day soon and will be adding the likes of Spyglass Hill and the Links at Spanish Bay to the itinerary as I overheard many a golfer singing their praises as well. If they’re almost as good as Pebble, they are much better than the vast majority of courses I have played in days gone by!
With a Pebble Yell, he cried more, more, more!
For information on Pebble Beach Golf Holidays and other American Golf Breaks please visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call free on 0800 043 6644.
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