This tournament is known best for its stunning host course -- Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Feb. 9, 2009
The TOUR heads north to Pebble Beach, Calif., this week for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, where Vijay Singh will make his post-knee-surgery return.
PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS
| Fast facts |
| Course Superintendent |
Chris Dalhamer |
| Original architect |
Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, 1919 |
| Redesign |
Ed Conner and Jack Nicklaus, 1991; New fifth hole by Jack Nicklaus, 1998 |
| Par value |
72 |
| Number of TOUR events as host venue |
63 (including 2009) |
| Course ranking |
Ranked 21 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008 |
| Yardage history |
6,815 yards (1947-1994) |
| |
6,799 (1995-1999) |
| |
6,816 (2000-2004, 2006-present) |
| |
6,737 (2005) |
| Grass |
Perennial ryegrass (tees, fairways, rough); Poa annua (rough) |
| Tournament Stimpmeter |
10 ft |
| Sand bunkers |
111 |
| Water hazards |
Ocean on nine holes |
| Course tour |
Click here |
|
| Course record |
|
Player
Tom Kite
David Duval |
Year
1983
1997 |
Round
3rd
3rd |
Finish
1st
T2 |
|
| Holes-in-one |
| There have been 14 aces recorded at Pebble Beach Golf Links |
| Bill Glasson |
5 |
2005 |
| Mike Heinen |
7 |
2003 |
| David Morland IV |
5 |
2000 |
| Gil Morgan |
12 |
1996 |
| David Graham |
7 |
1995 |
| Vijay Singh |
7 |
1994 |
| Olin Browne |
12 |
1994 |
| Greg Hickman |
12 |
1992 |
| Billy Mayfair |
17 |
1989 |
| Brett Upper |
5 |
1988 |
| Nick Price |
17 |
1988 |
| Rex Caldwell |
7 |
1986 |
| Hubert Green |
7 |
1985 |
| Lou Graham |
7 |
1984 |
|
| 2008 Rankings |
| Most Difficult Hole |
 |
The par-4 418-yard 8th The competitors will have spent their practice rounds stepping off the landing area because it's absolutely crucial that they find the fairway with what probably will be a 3-wood or 2-iron hit blind from the tee. Unfortunately, however, there's not much fairway to find. Those who hit safely will face a middle iron over the waves. Those who don't probably will play for bogey.
2008: 0 eagles, 15 birdies, 146 pars, 70 bogeys, 8 double bogeys, 1 other. |
| Easiest hole |
 |
The par-5 513-yard 6th This hole demands the driver. That's because a ball not hit far enough probably will prevent the player from reaching the second landing area, past the swath of rough, on the second shot. That will mean a lay-up and a blind third shot to a small green with a long iron. That's not something to look forward to, so expect to see the field cranking driver here.
2008: 2 eagles, 130 birdies, 94 pars, 11 bogeys, 3 double bogeys and 0 others. |
|
|
| Pebble Beach Golf Links |
2008 rankings | Last 24 years |
| 1 |
4 |
381 |
4.213 |
4 |
4.107 |
12 |
| 2 |
5 |
502 |
4.838 |
17 |
4.616 |
1 |
| 3 |
4 |
390 |
4.029 |
9 |
4.000 |
7 |
| 4 |
4 |
331 |
3.933 |
15 |
3.937 |
3 |
| 5 |
3 |
188 |
3.171 |
5 |
3.169 |
14 |
| 6 |
5 |
513 |
4.513 |
18 |
4.673 |
2 |
| 7 |
3 |
106 |
2.917 |
16 |
2.986 |
6 |
| 8 |
4 |
418 |
4.308 |
1 |
4.267 |
17 |
| 9 |
4 |
466 |
4.229 |
3 |
4.322 |
18 |
| 10 |
4 |
446 |
4.100 |
6 |
4.248 |
16 |
| 11 |
4 |
380 |
4.054 |
8 |
4.024 |
8 |
| 12 |
3 |
202 |
3.063 |
7 |
3.172 |
15 |
| 13 |
4 |
399 |
3.967 |
13 |
4.030 |
9 |
| 14 |
5 |
573 |
5.296 |
2 |
5.144 |
13 |
| 15 |
4 |
397 |
4.004 |
11 |
3.982 |
5 |
| 16 |
4 |
403 |
4.008 |
10 |
4.042 |
11 |
| 17 |
3 |
178 |
2.975 |
12 |
3.040 |
10 |
| 18 |
5 |
543 |
4.946 |
14 |
4.962 |
4 |
|
| Course origins |
| The par-three 5th hole at Pebble Beach was rebuit and reopened in 1998. The redesign was performed by Jack Nicklaus and is located along the pacific coastline on a 50-foot cliff. At a cost of $3 million, No. 5 is possibly the most expensive new hole in championship golf. |
| Pebble Beach was the site of the 100th U.S. Open Championship in 2000, which produced a record-setting 15-shot victory for Tiger Woods at 12 under par. |
|
POPPY HILLS GOLF COURSE
| Fast facts |
| Course Superintendent |
Manuel L. Sousa |
| Original architect |
Robert Trent Jones Jr., 1986 |
| Par value |
72 |
| Number of TOUR events as host venue |
19 (including 2009) |
| Course ranking |
Ranked 19 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008 |
| Yardage history |
6,865 (1991-1995) |
| |
6,861 (1997-1999) |
| |
6,833 (2000-present) |
| Grass |
Poa annua (tees, fairways, greens); Perennial ryegrass (tees, fairways, rough); Creeping bentgrass (fairways) |
| Tournament Stimpmeter |
10 ft |
| Sand bunkers |
75 |
| Water hazards |
2 |
| Course tour |
Click here |
|
| Course record |
|
Player
Matt Gogel |
Year
2001 |
Round
2nd |
Finish
T27 |
|
| Holes in one |
| There have been four aces recorded at Poppy Hills GC |
| Robert Gamez |
17 |
2003 |
| John Senden |
11 |
2003 |
| Notah Begay III |
6 |
2000 |
| Rocco Mediate |
15 |
1991 |
|
| 2008 Rankings |
| Most Difficult Hole |
 |
The par-4 426-yard 5th There's a lake to the right, which is dangerous for the longer hitters. If you're not a long hitter, the second shot is the toughest. The green has lots of undulation with six or seven different possible pin positions, so it's hard to get to know how to play it.
2008: 0 eagles, 14 birdies, 101 pars, 56 bogeys, 8 double bogeys, 1 other. |
| Easiest hole |
|
The par-5 500-yard 18th It's a reachable-in-two par 5 with an undulating green and a skinny pine tree that protects the green, which appears wider when it's time to hit around it. The work is done when you get on the green. Back right is the toughest pin position. It's a typical Robert Trent Jones green.
2008: 10 eagles, 75 birdies, 79 pars, 12 bogeys, 3 double bogeys and 1 other. |
|
|
| Poppy Hills Golf Course |
2008 rankings | Last 24 years |
| 1 |
4 |
413 |
4.156 |
6 |
4.194 |
2 |
| 2 |
3 |
174 |
3.133 |
7 |
3.065 |
11 |
| 3 |
4 |
406 |
4.083 |
9 |
4.185 |
3 |
| 4 |
5 |
550 |
5.228 |
2 |
4.977 |
14 |
| 5 |
4 |
426 |
4.339 |
1 |
4.219 |
1 |
| 6 |
3 |
181 |
3.189 |
T3 |
3.124 |
6 |
| 7 |
4 |
388 |
4.189 |
T3 |
4.104 |
8 |
| 8 |
4 |
390 |
3.989 |
T12 |
4.064 |
12 |
| 9 |
5 |
555 |
4.989 |
T12 |
4.746 |
17 |
| 10 |
5 |
511 |
4.8 |
17 |
4.810 |
16 |
| 11 |
3 |
203 |
3.044 |
10 |
3.157 |
5 |
| 12 |
5 |
531 |
4.972 |
14 |
4.862 |
15 |
| 13 |
4 |
393 |
3.9 |
16 |
4.099 |
9 |
| 14 |
4 |
400 |
3.944 |
15 |
3.996 |
13 |
| 15 |
3 |
210 |
3.183 |
5 |
3.112 |
7 |
| 16 |
4 |
439 |
4.1 |
8 |
4.170 |
4 |
| 17 |
3 |
163 |
2.994 |
11 |
3.072 |
10 |
| 18 |
5 |
500 |
4.594 |
18 |
4.633 |
18 |
|
| Course origins |
| Poppy Hills is the first golf course to be built and maintained by an amateur golf association, and it is owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association. The course was named the 2001 and 2006 National Golf Course Owners Association National Course of the Year. |
| PGA TOUR statistics affirm that the fifth hole was the toughest on TOUR in 2006. The tree-lined layout weaves through the Del onte Forest. |
|
SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE
| Fast facts |
| Course Superintendent |
Robert C. Yeo |
| Original architect |
Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1966 |
| Par value |
72 |
| Number of TOUR events as host venue |
41 (including 2009) |
| Course ranking |
Ranked 12 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008 |
| Yardage history |
6,810 yards (1967-1976, 1978-1979, 1981-1995) |
| |
6,859 yards (1997-1999) |
| |
6,817 yards (2000-2001) |
| |
6,862 yards (2002-2006) |
| |
6,953 yards (2007-present) |
| Grass |
Perennial ryegrass (tees, fairways, rough); Poa annua (tees, fairways, greens, rough) |
| Tournament Stimpmeter |
10 ft |
| Sand bunkers |
62 |
| Water hazards |
4 |
| Course tour |
Click here |
|
| Course record |
|
Player
Phil Mickelson
Luke Donald |
Year
2005
2006 |
Round
1st
1st |
Finish
1st
T7 |
|
| Holes in one |
| There have been seven aces recorded at Spyglass Hill GC |
| Brad Fabel |
15 |
2000 |
| Sam Randolph |
5 |
1998 |
| John Joseph |
12 |
1991 |
| Carl Cooper |
5 |
1990 |
| Gil Morgan |
3 |
1989 |
| Tom Watson |
15 |
1989 |
| Hal Sutton |
3 |
1985 |
|
| 2008 Rankings |
| Most Difficult Hole |
|
The par-3 197-yard 5th Bird Rock is a straightforward par 3 framed by ice plants in the back and three pot bunkers in front, the center bunker being the deepest and most difficult on the course. Another bunker is hidden from view and awaits stray shots to the right.
2008: 0 eagles, 11 birdies, 108 pars, 53 bogeys, 7 double bogeys, 1 other. |
| Easiest hole |
 |
The par-4 325-yard 17th Ben Gunn offers a change of pace and is unlike any other hole at Spyglass Hill. Neither the landing area from the tee nor the green surface from the fairway can be seen. The hole's many bunkers and its sloping green offset the short yardage. Above the cup is treacherous.
2008: 2 eagles, 56 birdies, 99 pars, 23 bogeys, 0 double bogeys and 0 others. |
|
|
| Spyglass Hill Golf Course |
2008 rankings | Last 24 years |
| 1 |
5 |
595 |
4.956 |
13 |
4.986 |
13 |
| 2 |
4 |
349 |
4.006 |
12 |
4.059 |
11 |
| 3 |
3 |
152 |
3.028 |
11 |
3.019 |
12 |
| 4 |
4 |
370 |
4.106 |
8 |
4.061 |
9 |
| 5 |
3 |
183 |
3.328 |
1 |
3.215 |
4 |
| 6 |
4 |
416 |
4.194 |
5 |
4.243 |
3 |
| 7 |
5 |
529 |
4.867 |
16 |
4.778 |
17 |
| 8 |
4 |
399 |
4.189 |
6 |
4.299 |
2 |
| 9 |
4 |
431 |
4.05 |
10 |
4.192 |
6 |
| 10 |
4 |
407 |
4.206 |
4 |
4.143 |
8 |
| 11 |
5 |
528 |
4.844 |
17 |
4.688 |
18 |
| 12 |
3 |
178 |
3.172 |
7 |
3.060 |
10 |
| 13 |
4 |
441 |
4.311 |
2 |
4.209 |
5 |
| 14 |
5 |
560 |
4.906 |
T14 |
4.906 |
16 |
| 15 |
3 |
125 |
2.906 |
T14 |
2.954 |
14 |
| 16 |
4 |
462 |
4.272 |
3 |
4.321 |
1 |
| 17 |
4 |
325 |
3.794 |
18 |
3.944 |
15 |
| 18 |
4 |
408 |
4.072 |
9 |
4.170 |
7 |
|
| Course origins |
| Spyglass Hill Golf Course takes its name from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island, published in 1863. Local legend maintains that Stevenson once wandered the Spyglass area gathering ideas for his novels. A unique aspect of this course is that the holes are named after characters in Treasure Island. Hole names such as, "Black Dog" and "Billy Bones" are hints for the unwary. |
| As players attempt to master this difficult course, they may hear the laughter of pirates in the distance. Spyglass Hill was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., as part of the master plan for the Pebble Beach ocean front. S.F.B. Morse, founder of Pebble Beach Company, and Chairman of the Board of Del Monte Properties, envisioned a string of golf courses around Del Monte Forest's shoreline. Morse commissioned Jones to design a course between Cypress Point and Pebble Beach. After six years of planning, Spyglass Hill opened March 11, 1966. |
| The design features two dinstinctly different kinds of terrain that influence the way the holes look and play. The first five holes roll through sandy seaside dunes, challenging the golfer to carefully pick the safest path. The following 13 holes are cut through majestic pines with elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers and lakes to grab the errant shot. Spyglass Hill is rated one of the toughest courses in the world from the Championship Tees, boasting a course rating of 75.5 and a slope rating of 147. The PGA TOUR consistently lists Spyglass Hill's holes 6, 8, and 16 among the toughest on the TOUR, and during the 1999 United States Amateur, the stroke average of the field during medal play was in excess of 79. |
|
| Tournament course history |
| Rancho Santa Fe CC |
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. |
1937-1942 |
| Pebble Beach GL |
Pebble Beach, Calif. |
1947-present |
| Cypress Point CC |
Pebble Beach, Calif. |
1947-1990 |
| Monterey Peninsula CC |
Pebble Beach, Calif. |
1947-1952, 1954-1966, 1977 |
| Spyglass Hill GC |
Pebble Beach, Calif. |
1967-1976, 1978-1979, 1981-present |
| Poppy Hills GC |
Pebble Beach, Calif. |
1991-present |
|
|
| This week's Kodak Challenge hole |
HOLE: The par-5, 543-yard 18th at Pebble Beach Golf Links
LAST YEAR: The 18th played to a stroke average of 4.946, with players recording 2 eagles, 55 birdies, 147 pars, 8 bogeys and 1 double bogey
DESCRIPTION: A new tee further out to sea actually makes the tee shot a little easier, but it still must negotiate the coastline. Only the longest hitters will be able to reach the green in two if they keep their balls in the fairway, although a good, hard drive will bounce considerably because these fairways run firm and fast in the summer. (Click here for Pebble Beach tour) |
|
PGATOUR.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network