Pebble Beach turns 100 this year. And as the old place gets set to host the AT&T National Pro-Am, one of golf’s iconic stages has endured — from Bing Crosby, who brought this event to Pebble Beach when he moved his Crosby Clambake, filled with celebrity friends, from Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego to Northern California’s Monterey Peninsula in the 1940s, on through Tiger Woods.
It is perhaps the most photographed course in the world. So it seems fitting as it kicks off its 100th-year celebration to look back at some of the views and faces that have helped make it famous.
Bing started this thing
The star power at Pebble Beach is because of Bing Crosby, seen here with Ed Sullivan in 1954 as they get set for “Toast of the Town.”
When Tiger prowls the place
Tiger Woods’ win here in the 2000 U.S. Open is commonly referred to as the most dominant performance in the history of golf. He won by 15 — yes, 15 — shots.
You never know what’ll happen when Bill Murray arrives
No celebrity has received more attention — for his outfits, his antics and his game — than Murray. He even won the pro-am portion of the event, with partner D.A. Points, in 2011.
The scene of so much drama
This photo makes the 17th hole looks so calm and peaceful, but oh the stories it could tell. Like …
Arnold Palmer on the rocks
The object is to keep the ball on green grass. In 1964, Palmer went wide left and required a creative up-and-down.
Tom Watson’s called shot
In a duel with Jack Nicklaus in the 1982 U.S. Open, Watson told his caddie, the late Bruce Edwards, he was going to hole the chip. Watson did, and he beat Nicklaus.
A different kind of driving
Golfers dream of hitting a drive up the 18th fairway. Car owners dream of taking a drive along the 18th fairway at the Concours d’ Elegance, one of the oldest and most prestigious charity car shows in the United States. Held each August, it began in 1950 and moved to the scenic 18th fairway in 1952.
If I could play one place …
Nicklaus has said that if he could play just one round of golf, it would be at Pebble Beach. The love affair began early. Here he is as an amateur in 1961.
The world’s most famous finishing hole, then …
The iconic view of the 18th hole hasn’t changed much. This look is from 1980.
And now …
The view, late in the day, from 2018.
And when the waves come crashing in
The sea was angry that day, in 2012.
Short, but sweet
The seventh hole can play as short 94 yards or as “long” as 106 yards. This, from above …
And from years ago
… and this, from 1950.