People Watching at Pebble

I was unable to post yesterday due to technical difficulties which have been surmounted, so here I am once more, intrepid blogger that I am.

In the middle of this week, we will begin play on the AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament over in Pebble Beach as well as two other courses.  Locals call the whole kaboodle Pebble Beach, so you may as well do the same.  Everything within the confines of the smartly guarded gates of Del Monte Forest is referred to as Pebble Beach, including Spanish Bay, Monterey Peninsula Country Club course, Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point, Poppy Hills and of course Pebble Beach itself.  Just like every country in Africa is called Africa by Americans.  We are just so odd that way.  Just lump it all into one and call it Pebble Beach, and you're good.

So, back to Pebble Beach.  The pros have been doing practice rounds to get used to the various courses and adjust to wind, sun, lack of snow and deer wandering around on the greens.  Up until today the weather has been summer-like and stunningly perfect.  Just to put a scare into the hearts of organizers, the weather is changing; it's blustery and much cooler outside.  Whitecaps are dancing across the waters of the bay like charging herds of sheep.  Or maybe like dolphins.  Dolphins are fast, but sheep are white, so I'm going with sheep.  Fast sheep.  There is a gusting wind from the northwest that is spanking flags out to horizontal on their posts, which should make tee shots be rather unpredictable at times for the golfers.

It is said that Bill Murray is in fine form this year and ready to play ball.  Always a fan favorite, galleries lean in close to overhear his quips and try for autographs.  Local boy and one of Pebble's august owners, Clint Eastwood may show his face here or there.  He and his friends are usually busy with guests and duties, but he may make some official appearances if he's in town.  Other fairly recognizable celebrities are signed up to start play on Thursday.  Most take the game very seriously, even clowns like Mr. Murray, and do their best to put on a sporting show for the galleries.  Fans often try to spot Mr. Eastwood at The Hogs Breath Inn in Carmel, but they'd have better luck in the evening down at Old Mission Ranch in the lounge where jazz musicians gather after hours.  Mr. Eastwood is a long-time fan of jazz and tasteful tunes, and he is more often seen there (he owns the Inn, by the way) than anywhere else.

Have fun exploring the Peninsula if you're here for the tournament - or any other time for that matter.  Carmel will be dense with fans once the rounds are done for the day, but relaxing, eye-catching beauty is rampant here this time of year, so almost anywhere you go will feel like a really great idea.  Just watch your hat.  That wind is tricky.