AT&T Pebble Beach 2007

Doggies!

2007-02-11T23:57:00.000-08:00

And just because I cannot resist cute canines, I'm linking pictures of a few I saw around the course and at the putting green on Wednesday. I've seen the border collie several times at Pebble Beach at the end of rounds; I think he must belong to one of the groundskeepers. He runs ahead of his owner's cart and then tries to herd him.

Unfortunately, the cutest dog I saw that day had to stay home and await my return:

2007-02-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

I spent a cold and wet day at the practice round at Pebble Beach on Wednesday. (I unfortunately arrived too late to get over to the other two courses to see more pros practicing). Because of the winds, the course played like a links course, and the players had to hit low drives and low shots onto the greens. I saw quite a bit of bunker play and iron play, because "target golf" simply was not possible. I was gratified today to see Corey Pavin near the top of the leaderboard today, because he plays so well the game I saw on Wednesday. Although I was miserably cold, I was pleased to see how players handle Pebble Beach when the elements are not so kind. (I'm not sure if Davis Love's pout was due to the conditions, or just his ordinary petulance).

The sun finally emerged around 4:00 or so, when players (like Jesper Parnevik) were on the driving range:

Camilo!

2007-02-11T21:33:00.000-08:00

Since the intended victim (Tom Brady) of my Wednesday stalking was not practicing at Pebble Beach, I transferred my attentions to cutie and Florida Gator (everyone has flaws) Camilo Villegas. I followed his group for quite a while, including a lengthy span of time on the putting green where Camilo was unsuccessfully attempting to fix his putting. (It had not reached the stage of the yips, but almost every putt -- from all distances -- was missing left and right). The equipment rep (Scotty Cameron putter) was trying to pump him up, as was his coach or caddy. After multiple consecutive missed putts, the coach/caddy said: "You're rolling the ball beautifully." After Camilo nailed him with a look of derision/disbelief, the caddy/coach said "I'm not blowing smoke up your ass." Here's a picture of the guy blowing smoke up Camilo's ass:

Anyway, I think Camilo must have corrected his putting woes, as he finally made the cut this week.

Camilo's driving was as beautiful as his putting was ugly. He and Rocco Mediate participated in a junior golf clinic Wednesday afternoon, and Camilo's driving elicited oohs and ahhs from the adults and the kids (and from Rocco as well). Rocco and Camilo answered questions from the kids about golf and life on the tour. When asked who they like to watch (besides Tiger), they both mentioned J.B. Holmes. When asked about fitness and exercise, Camilo told the kids that they must incorporate and emphasize stretching in their exercise routines. He spends 30 or more minutes of day stretching -- primarily to protect his back. He then demonstrated some yoga position to the kids, making Rocco go "ouch."

Rocco noted that fitness has become more important in recent years, and stated that endurance was important particularly at the AT&T where rounds last six hours. He then remarked that since he liked to chat -- alot -- he always hopes they'll pair him with someone else who likes to talk. Of course, Mickelson immediately came to my mind, but I don't think the amateur partners could survive the oxygen deprivation caused by a Mickelson-Mediate gabfest.

3M Celebrity Golf Challenge

2007-02-11T18:59:00.000-08:00

During Wednesday's practice round, several of the celebrity golfers participated in the 3M Celeb Challenge for Charity. Playing a modified scotch format on Holes 1, 2, 3, 17 & 18, the celebrities had to deal with rainy, windy conditions. Kelly Slater and Huey Lewis won $3000 on the first hole, but the next three holes were split, with the purse carrying over to the 18th.

I gotta say: I was quite excited about seeing Slater (the "Tiger Woods of Surfing"). He was actually on call for a possible tournament on the North Shore of Oahu; if the waves kicked in, he might have had to withdraw from the AT&T. But he was still focused on his golf, hitting balls at practice range for quite some time after the Challenge ended.

At the opposite end of the eye candy spectrum was Kevin Costner. Not only did he wear his baseball cap backwards for his post-win interview (so very hip, Kevin), but he was sporting some seriously disturbing chin appendage (yes, even more disturbing than Tiger's wannabe beard). (I had difficulty catching the hair growth on camera, but the best view of it is in the group shot with Don Cheadle and Andy Garcia). But Costner overcame these liabilities to win the 18th (and $26,000) with his partner, Carson Daly. He managed to hole the winning putt as Bill Murray was asking the gallery how many times they'd seen Waterworld and The Postman.

Bill Murray is a good golfer (unlike, say, Ray Romano who tries so hard). But Murray was not pleased with his effort at the 18th:
Yet he was pleased with his drive on the first, joking and bowing afterwards:

And, like I said, Ray Romano tries very hard. He and Kelly Slater and Don Cheadle and Kevin James were on the driving range for several hours after their round. Unfortunately, spending hours on the range does not appear to have improved Romano's form:

Other celebrities in the Challenge included Andy Garcia (impressive player) and George Lopez (not as impressive):

2007-02-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

Jim Furyk's swing is still a little hinkey. Yet he's still the only consistent performer for me in fantasy golf.

2007-02-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

Fred Couples practiced late in the day, but he did not look like he was feeling well. He withdrew on Thursday. I assume his back was acting up.

2007-02-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

Paul Stankowski slammed his approach from the fairway at 18 into one of the hospitality structures. He got his relief (he was to the right of the tree in front of the 18th green), and managed to hole his ball from there. From the exuberance of his celebration, his good-natured taunting of his practice partners, and the burst of profanity from one of other players, I assume he had won a bit of cash. Apparently, so did a reporter nearby, who must have asked him (as he was leaving the 18th) how much he had won. Stankowski replied gravely: “Oh, we do not gamble out here.” Anyway, Stankowski’s hole-in from the side of the fairway was the shot of the day (from my limited perspective).