What took Pebble Beach so long to have a professional major?

[Tim_Cronin]

Tom's answer is correct. The USGA thought Pebble Beach was too far from a metro area to draw a crowd that would make the Open a moneymaker. Then and now, the Open was the USGA's cash cow. By the late 1960s, with golf growing (and crowds for the Crosby Clambake growing), they took a gamble and awarded Pebble the 1972 Open. The crowds were good, Nicklaus hit that 1-iron, and the rest is history.

[Kalen Braley]

I heard Ron Read on the "Hooked on Golf" radio show this morning.  He said the ocean will really be in play on #10.  They will be doing something similar to what they've done on #6...move the rough line on the left in a bit, making one favor the right side off the tee.  Rough on the right side will be eliminated (or minimized) so that balls can go off the cliff.  #10 will play c. 500 yds, making it a difficult "opening" hole for those starting on the back during the Open.  He said that rough near the cliff on #8 would be cut as well, but wasn't specific.

Kevin, didn't they recently bring in to play a new tee further to the right? BTW, I listen to that show from time to time on line. Those two are a couple of characters.

David -- I haven't been down there in a few years, so someone else will have to weigh in on that.

John Abendroth, by the way, is a long time member at Olympic and still holds a course record on the Lake.  Out of a lineup of 100 folks taking practice swings (so you can't see the ball) he'd be about #90 who you think can play.  But boy can he.

Oh I believe it. The man played on tour for a few years, no? Also, when we were fortunate enough to get the TV show of theirs down here, he always played well. And I like his attitude about the game. Very laid back, but passionate.

I agree, but he is a fat guy and has an ugly swing

What do you have against guys with big proportions?  Someone has to keep the big boy stores up and running!!   

[David Stamm]

David, Do you know if the clambake was held during the war?

There was gentleman I knew in P.G. that was from Augusta Ga. He told me that during the war Bing held his party at Roosevelt Hospital in Augusta. It implies that had or have a golf course.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

The tournament at RSFGC was held form 1937-42. In 1943, der Bingle bought a home in Pebble and left Rancho where he had been a resident for 9 years. The tournament was not started up again until 1947.