PEBBLE BEACH — I have walked these hallowed grounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links for four decades, immersed myself in the theme of a golf tournament once known as the Crosby Clambake.
You don’t have to be a golf enthusiast to appreciate standing on the 18th hole, where countless memories have been made for the world to witness at the cathedral of golf courses.
There is a reason the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am became a signature event on the PGA Tour. There is no better setting than glancing out at the plush greens up against the Pacific Ocean — rain, wind or shine.
Yet, I can’t help but feel a sense of emptiness when walking Pebble Beach, where that awe-struck fan searching for their favorite celebrity is absent.
While crowds are swelling to witness the 80 best golfers on the PGA Tour, the absence of celebrities leaves a void – particularly on the weekend. After all, wasn’t this tournament built around a celebrity cast that would have a casual fan beaming about an encounter with their favorite actor, singer, or sports personality from another sport?
The changes in the tournament haven’t dampened the crowds. And it’s certainly been a plus for charities in terms of the increased revenue. The golf is pretty good as well.
Still, I miss the celebrities. The interaction most had with the large galleries, signing autographs, posing for pictures – even providing a then nervous 19-year-old reporter with a story.
I’ve never forgotten former Bengals receiver Cris Collinsworth graciously giving me 30 minutesafter 18 holes, with darkness setting in at Spyglass Hill.
A year removed from falling to the 49ers in the Super Bowl in 1983, the current NBC broadcaster talked about the experience, as well his decision to sign with the USFL, which ultimately never occurred.
He was humble. More importantly, Collinsworth was human. We tend to look at pro athletes as gods. He provided a different perspective.
So did NBA Hall of Famer Julius Irving, more known as Dr. J. The former 76ers forward not only gave me a one-on-one interview, but offered to buy lunch.
No one in attendance cared that Dr. J slammed his first shot into a tree at Spyglass. Yet, the sport is what lured a gallery to him, to catch a glimpse of one of the NBA’s greatest players.
Former Cardinals’ shortstop Ozzie Smith was someone I couldn’t stand when I was growing up as a Giants’ fan. Who can forget his playoff clash with Will Clark at second base?
First impressions aren’t always accurate. Maybe it was the St. Louis Blues polo shirt I was wearing that warmed him to this West Coast reporter. Turns out Smith was a true gentleman.
How often can you get off script and have a general conversation with a Hall of Famer?
Not all my assignments have been athletes. Mingling with shock rocker Alice Cooper left me searching for a dictionary. To this day, I was blindsided by Cooper’s high IQ, throwing words at me that resembled a skit he had on the movie “Wayne’s World.”
I do remember Cooper explaining the difference between performing on stage instead of the links, saying that golf was more nerve-racking because he can see everyone’s reactions.
Buster Posey’s willingness to offer up his time left an imprint, talking about his baseball career after he retired, with a desire to remain a part of the Giants’ organization. He’s now the team president.
The list goes on from the “Great One” in Wayne Gretzky, to Josh Allen and Steve Young. My mom still has an autograph that Johnny Bench signed for her.
Even Clint Eastwood stopped for a brief minute along the famed Pebble Beach links a few years ago to answer a question about his favorite Clambake moment.
While the tournament still brings in a handful of celebrities, such as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce this year, the days of a star-studded performer at every hole are gone.
Listen, change is inevitable. Having the best golfers on the planet at one place isn’t such a bad thing for the event and the economy, or the true golf fanatic.
I get it, the purse is too big for distractions. Perhaps it’s just me feeling a little nostalgic. But couldn’t we bring in celebrities earlier in the week and turn this into a mega event, like the Super Bowl does?
Super Bowl Week now includes the Pro Bowl, an event for the fans who can’t afford a $5,000 seat. So, why not a one-day 18-hole celebrity-only event on say Tuesday of tournament week to whet the appetite?
I’m guessing you could find 40-plus celebritieswho wouldn’t mind spending a few days on the Monterey Peninsula, rekindling the flavor that this tournament was all about when Bing Crosby created it.
If you needed a reminder of the importance of celebrities, all you had to do was follow Kelce around Thursday and Friday, as the future Hall of Famer had galleries large enough that a sheriff and security guard walked the entire 18 holes with him.
Seeing kids’ and adults’ faces light up when Kelce, former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and Laker Hall of Famer Pau Gasol signed autographs or posed for a picture was a reminder of the importance of keeping a tradition alive.