One of the most popular tournaments within the larger PGA Tour, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am usually takes place during February, and covers several high-profile golf courses. These include the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and the titular Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am actually has a relatively long history. It dates back to 1937, and was originally called the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, although many simply called it the Crosby Clambake. The first event was held at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in San Diego County. The tournament was put on hold in 1942 with the outbreak of WWII, and then resumed once more in 1947.
When it returned, it was a 54-hole event (as opposed to its original 18 holes), and was held near Monterey, where it remains to this day. It was eventually expanded into a 72-hole event in 1958. When the tournament resumed, it consisted of the Pebble Beach Golf Links, the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and the Cypress Point Club. Monterey Peninsula Country Club was dropped in 1966 and replaced by Spyglass Hill.
After Crosby’s death in 1977, the family name was slowly phased out, ultimately being dropped by 1985. AT&T took on the sponsorship in 1986. Cypress Point Club was dropped in 1991 and replaced with Poppy Hills. Poppy Hills was replaced in 2009, and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club was reinstated as part of the tournament.
In terms of play style, the field initially includes 156 pro players, and 156 amateur players, each paired with one another. For the first three days, all pairs play a single round on each of the three courses in the tournament. In addition to the “better ball” format of team play, professional players also play an individual stroke format. On the last day of the tournament, pairs that have made the cut will play on Pebble Beach’s course.
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