Better Ask Barry: What’s new at the AT&T Pro-Am?
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif (KION) While crews in Miami are busy preparing for Sunday’s Super Bowl LIV, similar work is underway in Pebble Beach, site of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament.
The TV towers are up. So are other structures, including new, stadium-style bleachers with individual seats.
“All of our bleachers now are tip-ups. We have 2,300 seats – individual seats -- so back pain is gone now,” said Steve John, tournament CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
The seats are comfortable, but as tournament director, he doesn’t have a lot of time to sit around.
“We are really in Go Mode right now. Everyone is on site, on property, preparing for next week. And it’s amazing when you think of what’s actually happening right now, how we’ll get it completed and it happens,” John said.
Also new this year is the so-called triangle of spectator services. The centerpiece is the AT&T Loft – open to all fans – with video displays and views of Stillwater Cove and the 6th, 8th and 14th holes. The view from the open air venue is spectacular.
If you prefer to watch from behind Plexiglass, you’re in luck. There are plenty of windows. There is not, however, plenty of time.
“This week is a very important week to tighten things up. Putting the last minute structures in place, making sure everything is in the right place, and prepping the golf course for the players to arrive next Tuesday and start playing,” said John.
Practice rounds start early next week. First round tournament play begins Thursday on all three courses (Pebble Beach, Spyglass, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club).
