Big week for golfers and economy at Pebble Beach

On the tee at Pebble Beach, a group of young golfers hungry for success.

The winner of the 118th U.S. Amateur Championship qualifies for next year’s U.S. Open – also at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The average age of the players this week is 22 years-old.

Paul Simson has a little more experience.

“(I am) 45 years older than the average age. I’m 67 and still going strong,” Simson said. “I was here 19 years ago. Shot exactly the same score.”

This vet of the amateur circuit turned his competition into a trip of the Central Coast.

“Kind of take in the sights. Stayed in Carmel for a few nights. Then came here. There’s just so much to do,” Simson said.

He’s not alone. 312 golfers, their families, spectators, eating and sleeping in Monterey County. One of many events we’ll see here over the next few years.

“We’ve got four USGA championships on the books right now. 2018 U.S. Amateur, 2019 U.S. Open, we have our first U.S. Women’s Open in 2023. And then our seventh U.S. men’s open in 2027,” David Stivers, President of Pebble Beach Company, said.

The U.S. Open is one of golf’s four majors. In 2019, Pebble Beach is expecting 275 thousand paid spectators for the week – big bucks to trickle down to Monterey County and its cities.

“The impact from just that event alone, a year from now, will be well over 150 million dollars,” Stivers said.

But this week, there is no money for the winner, just people enjoying the game.

Previous winners of the U.S. Amateur Championship include Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus.