Joel Kribel interview at Wente Vineyards prior to Nationwide tour stop on Greg Norman course

The Course at Wente Vineyards to host Nationwide Tour stop

The media got a preview of how tough, demanding, beautiful and unique the Championship course at Wente Vinyards plays a month prior to the pros. The wind was blowing, the rough was high and we played from the blues. From the tips, the par 72 layout is the toughest on the Nationwide Tour circuit. 2007 Champ Omar Oresti is not back to defend his title, as he's now a regular on the PGA tour. In fact, most players on the big tour honed their skills on the Nationwide trail. A way to avoid the grind of the PGA tour school... the top 25 Nationwide players earn their card. The event at Wente is the week of March 31st. Visit www.winecountrychampionship.com for more details.

The Course at Wente Vineyards. Media day for Nationwide Tour. Players Matt Bettencourt and Joel Kribel with Tournament Director Chris Conway

Baddely battles Tiger with local caddy on his bag.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Pete Bender has been a World Class caddie for 4 decades. He's carried for Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Greg Norman, Rocco Mediate and many other PGA stars. These days, he loops for Aaron Baddeley who today extended Tiger Woods to 20 holes before losing at the Accenture World Match Play Championship. Pete began his caddy career at Pebble Beach in the 60's. Members convinced him to find a bag on the PGA tour and he did in 1966, at "The Crosby". In 1980 he worked for the Golden Bear. In 1996 his boss was the Great White Shark. Greg Norman led all 4 Majors in the final round that season and broke through winning the British Open with Pete Bender carrying the clubs. That victory was Bender's 2nd major having done the same for Ian Baker Finch in 1991. Bender's pros have won 26 tournaments with him on the bag. Now Aaron Baddeley's full time caddy, Pete will certainly get more wins before he hangs it up.

Northern California Golf Association

Course Directory

Yes we just aerated the course, but we have a deal for you!

There is no better time to play Poppy Hills then right now! Come down and enjoy a day on the Monterey Peninsula for a great price.

Play Poppy Hills for $75!

This includes: green fee, cart fee, range balls, an AT&T logo hat, Poppy Hills sleeve of balls, a hot dog/sandwich, chips, and a soda!

Are you kidding me?!

This special is offered during these dates only: February 25, 26, 27, 28, 2008 and March 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 2008.
Call 831-622-8239 for details and tee time availability. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you out here soon!

Justin Williams
Head Professional

VJ Singh blows 3 shot lead with 4 to play, then loses in playoff to Steve Lowery at Pebble

Lowery interview

Lowery beats VJ in playoff at Pebble

VJ stretches out his lead

The cream appears to be rising to the top, as VJ Singh is drawing clear from the field, with a 2 shot lead over Y.E. Yang, and 3 better than a trio of others. Singh, with 31 career tour wins including a victory a Pebble in 2005 can be counted on to play conservatively with the lead, and will be checking the leaderboard at every opportunity. First time tour winners here have been few and far between, although Arron Olberhoser broke through in 2006 for his initial pga tour win. Arron, a grad of San Mateo High could not defend last year with a bad back, and a shoulder injury has sidelined him this year.

Thompson tearing it up early in the final round at Pebble

Under ideal conditions once again on the Monterey Peninsula, today's final round of the ATT at Pebble Beach is shaping up early to be quite a battle. Dudley Hart and VJ Singh each started the day at 9 under par, but with birdies on 5 of his first 8 holes Nicholas Thompson pulled even with the leading pair. Thompson has just bogied #9 a Pebble to fall one off the pace, but certainly put himself in the hunt. Hart and Singh each carded pars on their first two holes and are currently ont he 3rd fairway. An 11 on #14 yesterday doomed defending champ Phil Mickelson, so aside from Jim Furyk who is still 5 off the pace, VJ Singh is just about the only common PGA name player with a chance to win, and now, with a birdie on 3, the tall man from Fiji, who won this tournament in 2005 is all alone on top at 10 under par.

VJ and Dudley setting the pace at Pebble into final round

Having won this tournament before, and 30 others on the PGA tour, the tall man from Fiji, VJ Singh appears to be in the best position to capture the ATT entering the final round. With today's 67 at Spyglass Hill, Singh pulled even with Dudley Hart at 9 under 207 for 54 holes. Dustin Johnson and Michael Allen are 2 off the pace. The projected cut at 1-under par eliminates Phil Mickelson from a chance to repeat as champion. Lefty ballooned to a 78 Saturday, and didn't come close to making the cut. Actors Thomas Gibson and Kevin Costner, musician Michael Bolton, and former 49er offensive lineman Harris Barton will tee it up in the pro-am field for Sunday's final round.

Michael Allen interview. 2 behind VJ and Hart entering Sunday at Pebble

VJ pulls even with Hart

He teed off last, but is checking in with the best round of the day with a few holes to play. VJ Singh, winner here at Pebble in 2005 has an eagle and back to back birdies on the back nine at Spyglass Hill and has rocketed into a tie with Dudley Hart who is the clubhouse leader at 9 underpar 207. Singh opened with rounds of 70 to start the tournament, but has caught fire late in round 3. Dustin Johnson and Mike Allen are 2 off the pace with their rounds completed.

Dudley Hart Interview after round three and clubhouse leader

Lumpy no longer leads after the turn of round 3 at Pebble

Dudley Hart has overtaken Tim "Lumpy" Herron for the lead heading for home in round 3 at Pebble. Gaining entrance with a medical exemption due to a lung condition his wife is battling, the two time PGA tour winner Hart stands at 9 under par after firing a 68 today in pristine conditions. Herron remains at 7 under overall, which is where he stood when the round began, but now trails by 2 with 6 holes to play. Meanwhile, VJ Singh has just eagled #11 at Spyglass Hill to pull even with Herron, Ryan Armour, and Dustin Johnson who are still on course.

Saturday shots at Pebble on 17 & 18

Saturday morning splendor at Pebble Beach

Round 3 underway at Pebble. No changes as yet

It remains "Lumpy" Tim Herron at 7 underpar clinging to a one shot lead over 4 other pros early in the third round. The portly pro is 11 for 11 in cuts made at the Pebble Beach Pro-am, so it's no surprise he's doing well. The man who is probably in the best position to challenge as the day progresses is long hitting JB Holmes who won at Phoenix last week. Holmes is not the biggest guy, but averages 315 yards off the tee. He also is at Poppy Hills today which is the easiest of the three courses played at the ATT and features 5 par fives all reachable in two by Holmes. Lurking quietly near the top are defending Champ Phil Mickelson 6 shots off the pace, and 2005 winner VJ Singh 5 behind Herron when play began this morning. It's another glorious day at Pebble Beach, but surprisingly, scores have not been lights out. In fact, Herron's halfway total of 7 under is one of the highest for a 36 hole leader in recent memory. No doubt having only 4 of the world's top 20 players in the field is a factor, but nobody has really capitalized on the ideal conditions to take it low. Perhaps a lights out round will be recorded today, and we'll keep you posted throughout in this space.

Portly Tim Herron is clubhouse leader nearing end of round 2 at Pebble

While many unknown tour pros have been pacing the field early in the tournament, a veteran with ample girth is now setting the pace at Pebble. Tim Herron, otherwise known as Lumpy (nicknamed after Clarence Rutherford from Leave it to beaver)followed up his 68 with a 69 today moving 7 under par and a shot clear of the field in the clubhouse. Not exactly a model of fitness, Herron finessed his way through Pebble on a perfect weather day. Still on course is Nicholas Thompson who has 4 holes to play, but could join Herron atop the leaderboard by parring out.

It's Lumpy not lefty leading nearing the end of round 2

No real moves from the big boys yet midway through round 2 at Pebble

The leader remain at 6 under but he now has company. Kent Jones is level par today, but joining him atop the leader board is Olin Browne, Roland Thatcher, Tim Herron, and Kevin Streelman...not exactly household names on the PGA circuit. Defending Champ Phil Mickelson has picked up one shot today and trails by 4 at the turn, but the lesser name pros in the field continue to set the pace. More later when there's news to report

Glorious day two at Pebble with unknowns setting the pace

The opening round at the ATT at Pebble always produces a few double takes of names atop the leader board. Normally, those first round wonders drift back in the pack in day two with some of the cream rising to the top. This year, with only 4 of the top 20 World Ranked golfers in the field, and a larger field accommodating more Nationwide and tour school grads, hope springs eternal for a "no-name" breakthrough. Phil Mickelson is defending champ but almost shot himself out of the tournament before rallying for a 1 under 71 which left lefty, along with Jim Furyk 5 shots off the pace set by Kent Jones. VJ Singh and Davis Love are 4 back and each of those 4 players have won at least once here at the Pebble Beach Pro-am. It's quite unlikely that Jones will still be leading after today's round two, but the nearest challengers Roland Thatcher and Brad Adamonis are total unknowns on the tour. JB Holmes, who won last week in Phoenix is only 2 back along with Tim Herron, and Olin Browne who also have wins on the PGA circuit. We'll have an updated report when the leaders make the turn.

Friday morning at Pebble with Todd Dempsey and Harry Crosby

Jones leads and virtual unknows hot on his heals after round on of the ATT at Pebble Beach

In cool, pristine and slightly breezy conditions, the opening round of the Pebble Beach Pro-am has a leader board of virtual unknown pros. Kent Jones of New Mexico sits atop with his 6 under par 66 at Pebble today. One shot back is the duo of Roland Thatcher and John Mallinger. Brad Adamonis is 2 back. With only 4 of the World's top 20 in the field, a host of winless PGA players have a golden opportunity this week to break through. Defending Champ Phil Mickelson was 4 over late in his round, but rallies with 3 birdies and an eagle to finish at 1 under 71. VJ Singh was one shot better than lefty, but the two biggest names in the field find themselves in the middle of the pack. Funny Man George Lopez and pro partner Daniel Chopra pace the pro-am field firing a 9 under 63 at Poppy Hills.

Unknowns atop Pebble Beach leader board.

Only 4 of the world's top 20 players are here at Pebble Beach, but none of them are even in the top 10 after day one of the ATT Pro-Am. Kent Jones of New Mexico who is winless in 4 years on the PGA tour and struggled to earn his tour card to even compete, fired a 6 under 66 at Pebble Beach, good for a one shot lead after today's opening round. Jones teed off early in calm conditions on the back 9 at Pebble and got off to a good start. When the wind picked up, Kent had already completed the holes nearest the ocean. With a few players still on course, a pair of pros are one shot back. John Mallinger played at Poppy, while Roland Thatcher carded his 67 at Spyglass Hill, the toughest of the 3 Pebble Beach Pro-Am courses. A final round one rundown will be posted shortly on this site.

Kent Jones surprise first round leader

Phil Mickelson defending ATT champ

The Sports Voice of CBS Jim Nance introduces team, and plays 5 questions with David Feherty

Kenny G. and Chris Berman win 3M Celebrity Shootout

12 Celebrity amateurs teed off at Pebble Beach this morning to raise money for charity and provide laughs for the gallery. Our pal Bob Murphy narrated the proceedings in his unique style. Kenny G. was the best golfer in the field with a one handicap, Chris Berman the worst at 18, so they were paired as a team alternating shots. Despite Berman's poor swing as shown in the video below, his flat stick came through at the end, draining a two footer on famed 18 at Pebble to capture the $26,000 first place check for their charities. View the swing sequence and interview below for a capsule of the event. Berman's 2 footer was after a 5 hole carry over which accounted for the big bucks. George Lopez and Luke Wilson won the first hole outright and earned $3000. for their charity of choice

Celebrity Shootout-1st tee at Pebble Beach with Andy Garcia, Kevin James, Chris Berman, Kenny G., Don Cheadle, Carson Daly, Kevin Costner, George Lope

Greg Norman interview room

Greg Norman returns to Pebble with his son

The Great White Shark has returned to Pebble Beach after a lengthy absence to be paired with 22 year old son Gregory. Greg Norman, who won every major but the US Open and had several memorable meltdowns along the way, is one of the most charismatic of all golfers. Now a candidate for the Sr. tour, Norman spends most of his time with his golf course developement company and other business interests. He's here for the ATT as his request to play with his son was granted by Olie Nutt, Tournament Chairman. The video below was shot at yesterday's press conference.

Padraig Harrington Interview

Padraig Harrington-British Open Champion

One of the most engaging and stand up guys on the PGA tour is fun loving Padraig Harrington. The Irishman owns the Claret Jug as defending British Open Champion and is here in Pebble Beach for his first stop of the season. After his victory at Carnoustie, the demands on his time have been brutal, and yesterday in the press room before my interview with him, he spoke with Tim Brando on a radio interview. I captured a bit of that chat and tracked him down on the 4th tee of his practice round at Pebble. That video is available below.

Golf Writers banquet at Spanish Bay

MC Bob Murphy held court for the 30th year, presiding over the annual Ca. Golf Writers 49th Awards Banquet. Murph orchestrated the function in his incomperable style with winners including Tiger Woods are player of the year, (not in attendance)
Jerry Heard and Steve Pate as Hall of Famers, Kay Cockerill as the Jack Lemmon "Ambassador of Golf" award winner and other's who were honored by the California Golf Writers. Part of the festivities including standup routines by comedian George Lopez and Chris Berman who won the Caddyshack award. The video below is a capsule of the evening's entertainment.

Golf Writers dinner at Spanish Bay with Bob Murphy, George Lopez and Chris Berman

Interview with Arron Olberholser on tournament withdrawl

Aaron Olberholser says Tiger would wax the Golden Bear

Aaron Oberholser withdraws from ATT again.

He won here at Pebble in 2006. Could not defend his title last year with a bad back, and now a shoulder issue has forced the San Jose State Alum to bow out of his favorite and only PGA tournament victory venue. The popular outgoing self described Republican will remember Super Tuesday with regret. He got a shot on Monday and the program calls for a two week rehab program. Also on the medical front, British Open champion Padraig Harrington is here despite a battle with shingles. After the Irishman's first major win at Carnousti Golf Links last year, the demands on his time caught up with him around Christmas time. Both Oberholser and Harrington are stand up guys and visited with www.12sportsonline.com earlier and excerts will be posted here later in the day, as will Greg Norman who just walked into the interview room.