Pebble Pro-Am Hails Changes to Historic Tourney

Story and Photos By Jon Chown

PEBBLE BEACH — Lots of changes are in store for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this year, said Steve John, CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, and golf fans are going to be impressed.

A new vendor for the event, which begins Feb. 3, will bring a new look, with new seating areas, a new grand entrance, and more fun everywhere.

“The 18th green will look like a stadium when you come down,” John said Thursday. “The tournament needed to go to the next level. … You’ll notice it. It was expensive, but it will pay off in the long term.”

John said the celebrity list is the strongest ever, with past favorites like movie stars Ray Romano, Andy Garcia and ESPN host Chris Berman already confirmed, plus athletes such as NFL quarterbacks Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers and many others. John said he was especially excited to have Kid Rock on board, who has been playing golf lately with Tiger Woods. John sounded hopeful Woods might join the fun as well.

“We expect a lot of wonderful things,” John said.

John made the announcement during a media event hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and with 2103 event champion Brant Snedeker sitting beside him, who called Pebble Beach “a special place.”

“It’s one of my favorite places in the world,” Snedeker said. “My family has a great time when they come; I have a great time when I come.”

Snedeker said he particularly enjoys playing with the amateurs and the challenging greens. He’s in the peak of his career and has scheduled about two dozen tournaments this year. In 2013, he won two tournaments, finished in the top 10 nine times. He earned more than $5 million and finished third in the FedEx Cup standings.

He credited a new outlook on life — putting his young family first support, not worrying about golf at the end of the day, and a new diet.

Snedeker said he enjoys playing dolls with this 3-year-old girl and doesn’t mind changing his 15-month-old son’s “poopy diapers,” but his diet is no fun at all. “It’s been two months and it’s been a battle,” he said. “I’m a guy who likes to eat things I’m not supposed to eat.”

Snedeker is one of many of the PGA top golfers that will be competing at this year’s event. Jimmy Walker, currently second in the FedEx Cup standings; Dustin Johnson, fifth in the FedEx Cup standings and the 2010 Pro-Am champion, Jordan Spieth (11th); Vijay Singh (15th) and other big names are on board, along with old fan favorites like John Daly.

“We are in a very good place in golf right now. There is a lot of talent around the world,” Snedeker said.

Practice rounds for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am begin Feb. 3, with the event itself running Feb. 6-8. Practice round tickets cost $50 in advance or $60 at the gate. A daily tournament round ticket costs $50 in advance or $60 at the gate and a weekly ticket costs $125.

The Chevron Shootout, featuring current and former members of the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, is scheduled Feb. 4 and the 3M Celebrity Shootout slated the following day. For more information, go online at www.attpbgolf.com or call (831) 644-0333.

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Confirmed Celebs: Harris Barton, Chris Berman, James Blake, Matt Cain, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, Wayne Gretzky, Kenny G, Kid Rock, Andy Roddick, Aaron Rodgers, Ray Romano, Darius Rucker, Alex Smith, Justin Verlander