The Old 5th at Pebble Beach

[Brian Curley]

Here's some history for you.....

I grew up in PB ( near Spyglass #12 )....went to PG High. (1977)......so , we used to sneak on the area courses, Cypress, Spyglass, PB etc....the standard was to wait on #6  tee until the last group went through and then hit it. While waiting, we used to hang behind #5 green and, if the pin was left, move it  ( with a home made cutter ) right behind the bunker so , being uphill, only the top of the pin could be seen. Then, if anyone hit it close we would role on our sides on the green ( out of site to the golfers as it was uphill and blind) and put the ball in the hole.

Obviously this resulted in some happy golfers and expensive Tap Room bar tabs. Always was good fun......look left, look long, look right, "maybe it's plugged in the face" etc......till finally......" well hell...has anyone looked in the hole?" 

[Bruce Bearer]

Regarding the land transaction, I had heard that Charles Schwab initiated the deal, bought the land from the family of the previous owner, then went to PBC and worked out a deal where PBC would buy the oceanfront land AND agree to put the 5th hole in front of Mr. Schwab's property.  Then Charles sold the other half of the remaining land to the car dealer. 
 
Regarding the hole - to me it just looks like a Nicklaus hole vs. a hole built in the 20's.  Couldn't they just fake it and try to make the bunkers look like they have been there for 80 years and not look so "perfect".  Not so easy is it?

[V. Kmetz]

That's amazing and impishly wicked Brian!