Pebble Beach - U.S. Open 2019 (advice sought)

[MCirba]

Hi All,

As a Christmas present this past December, my wife purchased two tickets for Sunday's round of the U.S. Open.   She quite wonderfully supports my passion for golf and plays a little herself a few times a year.   

Let me first state that this is most assuredly not a veiled thread seeking access to private courses in the area and some years back I was fortunate to play Cypress Point, walk much of Pebble (still haven't played though), and see some of the work of Mike Strantz at Monterey Peninsula all on the same day.

What I'm mostly trying to understand is what is the best way to get to play Pebble, Peter Hay, Spyglass, Pacific Grove, and maybe one or two others in the most cost-effective way.   

Do I need to stay at the Lodge or other related PB Company properties for access?     I did read where Pebble will re-open for play the Tuesday after the US Open on June 18th, so we'd likely fly into town on Friday or Saturday of US Open week and stay through the following week.

Essentially I'm looking for any insider knowledge of how best to plan my itinerary considering that this is finally going to be the "someday I'll spring the $500 to play Pebble" trip, and I greatly appreciate any information that will help me to supplement what should be a fabulous week.

Thanks in advance for your insight and assistance.

[cary lichtenstein]

i played Pebble every year for 23 straight years, stayed in the main hotel on the 18th green, no cost effect way to play unless you sneak on

[Marty Bonnar]

You lucky boy!
Pacific Grove should be fairly easy. Peter Hay is going to be closed until November.
Other than that, I have nothing!
Enjoy...
F.

[Kalen Braley]

Mike,


It sure seems like you need to take the trip to Santa Cruz and fit Pasatiempo in.  And for a cheaper, yet still very fun option, try Parajo Valley along the way.  A GCA'er owned it during the KP there some 10+ years ago, not sure if that is still the case.


Kalen

[Joe_Tucholski]

Unfortunately going the week after the US Open is going to limit your options.


Staying at the Inn at Spanish Bay should cost less than the Lodge at Pebble.  Staying at the Inn will allow advance bookings.


Because of the dates I doubt you'll be able to get a last minute tee time.  They do offer a replay discount that you could potentially utilize if you are interested in 2 rounds in one day (if they have availability).


Also if you are going with others who will play and want to play Spyglass and Spanish Bay the Dukes Club membership could save you some, even with the $360 fee.

[James Brown]

I played Pebble twice by just calling up the pro shop a few days in advance and asking if I could get a tee time.  I don’t think you have to stay in the Lodge to get a tee time anymore.  And both plays were in March of 2010 - a few months before the Open.

[MCirba]

Thanks for all of the advice so far.

Will being a single enhance my ability to get a tee time?   Can anyone else confirm that tee times are available to those not staying at one of the PB properties?

From an architecture standpoint, I've played Pasa and loved it but wondering if Harding Park might be worth the drive one of the days?

Thanks!

[Jeff Schley]

Thanks for all of the advice so far.

Will being a single enhance my ability to get a tee time?   Can anyone else confirm that tee times are available to those not staying at one of the PB properties?

From an architecture standpoint, I've played Pasa and loved it but wondering if Harding Park might be worth the drive one of the days?

Thanks!

Mike,
I hope you enjoy your time there.  I have been there twice and both times called 24 hours in advance as a non-resort guest. So you call at 7 am today to book anytime tomorrow. I always scouted out the times that were available a week or so ahead of time and then pounced on the best of what was left when I called, but I had an idea of which day was better.  Being a single you will have a pretty easy time IMO finding a spot to fit in with a group as a non-resort guest.

In regards to Harding Park I thought it was just average, but Pasa as you mentioned exceeds it by a significant margin. Especially when you factor in the drive up and back I would pass.

[Kalen Braley]

Mike,


Don't forget about Half Moon bay.  You could spend an entire day up there and play all 36 

[Peter Flory]

It's no Pebble, but Del Monte is pretty charming and way, way more affordable. 


Just pointing it out in case you really want to stay in the immediate vicinity and everything else is unavailable. 

[Adam Clayman]

Oh my. I did not expect an Art Hills recco.


Mike, Not sure how enjoyable the peninsula experience will be, beyond attending the show. I'd only be willing to endure the throngs of crowds and traffic for the one day.


Golfing on it that weekend? PG and the old Navy course would be the only place to look for a tee time. Nearby, Pasa is of course the no brainer. Hidden gems would include Pete Galea's old stomping grounds next to the Elkhorn slough. And another course in Watsonville, whose name escapes me at the moment.


I would suggest making it a day trip to the show , leaving the rest of the region as your oyster.   If you want to come up from the south, Pasa Robles and Lompoc both have at least one enjoyable golfing option. Which implies Rustic Canyon is the other no brainer.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Have played PB several times and never stayed at the Lodge.


1. Played twilight round and was last group out after just walking into pro shop.
2. You can make a tee time as a single but it must be within 24-36 hours of play. (I lived in SF at the time so it was easy.)
3. Hope that during an outing of (say) the Buick Car Dealers meeting, someone does not show and you grab their spot.


The ONLY way I know that you can otherwise get on in advance is either a) stay at the Lodge or b) play with a member.

[Kalen Braley]

Its nice to live in the general area and be able to call on a whim when you have a free day.  But it seems a bit like going to Scotland and leaving TOC to chance or choosing to paying the extra dosh for that tee time. In Mike's case is he going to travel all the way across country for a maybe at PB? 

For those who have done it, how many times did you try calling PB the day before or day of and they not have a tee time available to you?

[Matthew Petersen]

I do wonder if PB will be busier than usual right after the Open. Or maybe less so?


Generally, yes, you can play without staying at a PB resort hotel, but you have to call or walk up the day before or the day of and see if they have availability. This is usually very easy as a single. But do you want to risk it if you're playing the first day they re-open after the US Open?


As for other recs, I played the (somewhat) newly refurbished Poppy Hills last year and was very, very impressed. I would take the 18 holes Poppy offers in the forest over the 13 forest holes at Spyglass any day and it's not close.

[Scott Rosa]

I second Matthew's recommendation on Poppy Hills. Their Twilight rate is the best deal in Monterey and is often wide open and not crowded during the week. Expect firmer and faster conditions there (obviously weather dependent) than at the PB Resort courses.

[Tim Leahy]

It is a once in 10 year trip. Stay at Spanish Bay. Listen to the bagpipes at sunset. Eat at Roy's overlooking Spanish Bay. Play Pebble, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay in the afternoons. By staying there you can get the tee times far in advance and they will shuttle you to the golf courses and the Open. Worth every penny.

[MCirba]

You guys are the best.   

I greatly appreciate your informed opinions and suggestions.

[Bill Crane]

Mike:

I have a friend from Springdale GC who is a member of Cal Club.    Since I know you well I would be comfortable reaching out to him if you are interested.

He is a Princeton alum and your work on Hugh Wilson would also resonate with him.

E Mail or PM me with the details if you would like me to make the introduction.

Truly,    Bill

[Paul Jones]

Mike,


If you plan on coming back, then try 24 hour rule to get a tee time.  However, if you do not intend on coming back, then spend the extra money to secure tee times.  It wont be cheap, but you can sleep well knowing you have a tee time.  Paying the rates at a later time will definitely be more.