Walmart First Tee at Pebble is dominated by Champions pro Jeff Sluman and female junior Sydney Burlison

What began as a tight final round, turned into a rout as Jeff Sluman shut down all challengers for a 5 shot Champions tour win at Pebble Beach, while junior Sydney Burlison smoked the First Tee field en route to an 8 shot triumph teamed with pro Fuzzy Zoeller who tied for second with Craig Stadler in the Champions field. Sluman fired a 67, which was the best round in Sunday's finale to finish at 14 under par. Burlison, from Salinas playing her final junior event is headed for Stanford, represented the Monterey County First Tee in besting the other top 77 First Tee invitees.

Jeff Sluman has seperated himself from the field, heading for home at Pebble Beach

Jeff Sluman took the outright lead with a birdie on #4 at Pebble Beach and extended his lead to 3 with a marvelous approach shot on #8. Sluman made the putt and has since moved to 13 underpar, enjoying a 3 shot lead over the field. With the wind picking up, the 50 year old rookie on the Champions tour will be playing for pars heading for home. The Walmart First Tee event is being played in glorious sunshine on the Monterey Peninsula, with Salinas' Sydney Burlison and pro partner Fuzzy Zoeller enjoying a 6 shot cushion over the field of Jr./pro teams that made the cut.

Local girl Sydney Burlison is setting the pace, teamed with the Champions tour most entertaining player at the First Tee

Sydney Burlison is sitting on top of the world and the First Tee leader board. Beginning the final round with a 3 shot lead, the Salinas product bound for Stanford is teamed with Champions tour funny man Fuzzy Zoeller, who is only 3 shots behind the quad leaders when play began today.

Hale Irwin and Tom Kite in the hunt, 3 behind the quad leaders at the First Tee Champions tour event at Pebble

We're less than an hour away from the leaders teeing off for the final round of the First Tee Champions tour stop at Pebble Beach. In near perfect conditions, contenders who teed off early are tearing it up as they chase the 4 leaders. Three shots back, Hale Irwin and Tom Kite are now on course.

Tom Watson and Gil Morgan in the hunt at Pebble but need a miracle to catch the leaders at the First Tee Open

It's a 4 way tie at the top as opening round action at the First Tee Champions Tour stop at Pebble Beach is underway. At 9 underpar, Phil Blackmar, Loren Roberts, Jeff Sluman and John Harris are setting the pace. Those in the chase are now teeing off, and a pair of players in contention but well off the lead are Tom Watson and defending champ Gil Morgan on the putting green.

Four Champions share the lead heading into Sunday's final round at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach was ideal for scoring today and the Champions Tour players took advantage. This stop is #25 on the tour this season, but it's the first time there has been a tie at the top heading into the final round. Four players share the lead at 9 underpar after 36 holes Loren Roberts, Phil Blackmar, John Harris and Jeff Sluman are logjammed at the top. Sluman fired at 6 under 66. He referred to his First Tee partner Michael Guardiola in his interview above

Bill Murray makes up for missing AT&T, by entertaining at the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach

The First Tee at Pebble Beach features selected junior players who practice the 9 core values of the program and have quality golf games...the world's greatest players from the Champions Tour, and well healed amateurs to fill out the field of 78 foursomes. One of the amateurs is comedian Bill Murray who brings his antics to the Monterey Peninsula. Murray missed this year's AT&T at Pebble, but rejoined his buddie Scott Simpson who is teamed with First Tee invitee Wally Gonzalez. The lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs spilled water on a young fans feet, visited 3 bunkers on consecutive shots on the 4th hole, and did not pull any spectators into the sand traps with him which he loves to do. At least not during the few holes I followed him today.

Phil Blackmar takes over lead in Champions action at First tee

The fog never lifted at Pebble Beach, but the players stranded on course yesterday completed their rounds at Pebble this morning. The drizzle continues and tee times are a couple hours behind, but First Tee round two action is heating up. With today's delay, Andy Bean won't tee off till after 3pm at Old Del Monte following his 66 yesterday at Pebble. Meanwhile, with one hole to play at Pebble, Phil Blackmar is now setting the pace at 9 under. After 7 holes at Del Monte Craig Stadler has jumped into 2nd at minus 6 with Bean, Hale Irwin, Chip Beck, Fuzzy Zoeller and Loren Roberts.

Andy Bean shoots 66 at Pebble before thick fog haulted play

A thick soupy fog settled over Pebble Beach on opening day of the First Tee event, and the third delay of the day ended play at 6:13pm with 19 players still on course. Golfers stranded at Pebble will resume at 7am (fog permitting) and then shuttle to Old Del Monte for round two. Fog is the norm for summertime in Monterey at the coast, but today's layer haulted play 3 times before the plug was pulled.

Andy Bean is the First Tee leader and cheerleader for his First tee partner Erika Schneider

Andy Bean birdied 3 of his final 4 holes at Pebble en route to a 6 under par 66, but his was also beaming about his teenage First Tee playing partner from his home area in Florida.

Andy Bean sets the pace at Pebble Beach

Andy Bean blazed through Pebble Beach in foggy conditions in 6 under 66 fashion and owns the First Tee first round lead. 4 others shot 66 at the much easier Old Del Monte course in Monterey where Bean plays tomorrow. Andy is a big backer of the First Tee program and had a great time with his junior player from his home area in Florida.

Tom Watson teams with First Tee Junior Sara Diaz

The First Tee Open was played in sunshine at Old Del Monte and thick fog at Pebble Beach in today's opening round. 78 junior players are teamed with Champions Tour pros who have talent to play and practice the core values of the First Tee Program. Tom Watson is teamed with Sara Diaz who was awarded an $8000. scholarship presented by Walmart, sponsor of the event.

Jay Haas leads the Champions Tour in points and as a First Tee enthusiast

Jay Haas is considered on of the truely nice guys on the Sr. Circuit. He also is exactly the type of player setting the perfect example for the First Tee players.

Scott Simpson to team with Bill Murray at Pebble

Scott Simpson won the US Open at the Olympic Club and First Tee two years ago at Pebble. The easy going Champions Tour player will be sharing comedian Bill Murray with fellow 50+ pro Jeff Sluman the next couple days at Old Del Monte and Pebble Beach. Wally Gonzalez of San Diego is the lucky First Tee player to team up with Simpson who will be into comedy on the course.

Pebble Beach in fog for First Tee practice round

The honored 78 First Tee junior golfers and pro partners from the Champions tour have converged on Pebble Beach and Old Del Monte for the most unique tournament on any pro circuit. Accomplished teens who exemplify the ideals of the First Tee program will team with the World best elder statemen of the game. The pros are all over 50, most of whom established fame if not fortune of the PGA tour. The Junior players will team with the Champions for at least two rounds, and a third if they make the cut, along with well healed amateurs who complete the 78 foursomes. The event begins Friday in it's fifth year on the Monterey Peninsula. This Golf Gab blog will feature streaming interviews with the pros and First Tee juniors for the next couple days

First Tee Open player from Sacramento. Jacqueline Williams.

She doesn't know who she'll be playing with and could care less. The honor of returning to Pebble Beach and play with the pros of the Champions Tour is a tap in. Jacqueline Williams of Sacramento earned the trip by being a 3 index player in the First Tee program. On Labor Day weekend, she'll walk the fairways of Pebble Beach with players two generations removed.... the stars of today in the over 50 ranks. 78 Champions tour players will pair up with a teenager. Jacque turns 18 just prior to the First Tee event and is one of the few returnees, but qualified because of her game and her life skills, as she exemplifies the ideals of the 9 core values of First Tee. Jr. golfers are taught the importance of Sportsmanship, Confidence, Integrity, Perserverance, Respect, Responsibility, Judgement, Courtesy, and Honesty...all qualities needed to be successful in golf and in life. Ms. Williams and the rest of the invited field from all over the country have excelled and will be on National TV from famed Pebble Beach the final weekend of August. Dr. Gil Morgan will defend his Champions tour title, with former winners Fuzzy Zoeller, Craig Stadler, Scott Simpson, and other "Senior" greats in the field. They will all pair with the juniors who earned spots in this most unique and inspirational First Tee Open.

Dr. Gil Morgan set to defend at Pebble Beach Champions First Tee Open

He left the rain of Oklahoma to play in the Tradition Champions event in Bend Oregon, but stopped in San Jose on the way. Dr. Gil Morgan, who won at Pebble Beach last year, visited with jr. players and the media at Rancho del Pueblo where the First Tee in San Jose is headquartered. Morgan returns to Pebble Labor day weekend to defent his title, and will be paired with one of 78 First Tee teenagers who earned the right to play with the pros. The junior golfers not only have game, they illustrate the core values taught by the First Tee program.

Gil Morgan to defend at Pebble Beach, as First Tee Open and Champions tour partners for Labor Day weekend event.

He's a 25 time winner on the Champions tour in his 12 years on the over 50 pro golf circuit, and returns to Pebble Beach to defend his title. The Labor day weekend event is unlike any other, as the "Seniors" play for individual glory while partnered with Jr. golfers who earned their to Pebble. The 78 teenagers competing all are products of the First Tee program at golf courses accross the country. Dr. Gil Morgan, a licensed optometrist, and one of the most successful champions tour players in history will be teamed with a teen at Pebble. The kids are not only extremely talented to earn their spot, but also abide by the basic "core values" that are the basis for the First Tee Program.

First Tee Labor day tournament holds press conference at Rancho del Pueblo in San Jose

Labor Day weekend at Pebble Beach once again hosts the Champions Tour Stop and the First Tee Open, where the pros team with the kids. 78 junior golfers from across the country will be paired up with pros on the Senior Circuit for a weekend of tournament golf. The Girls and Boys who qualified for the prestigious spot all are participating in the First Tee program at their local courses which teach all the elements of the learning the game. The lessons are not restricted to drives, chips and putts, as equal emphasis is on core values like integrity, honesty and responsibility. The youngsters who will play on the Monterey Peninsula all excell in the game of golf and exhibit quality values. Their invitations were earned with outstanding play, a written report, and their character. Dr. Gil Morgan is defending champion at Pebble, and a 25 time winner on the Champions Tour circuit.