golfkat Travel Blog

There comes a time in every golfer’s career, that the pinnacle of golf, the holy grail, the numero uno course must be played.  It happened for me when I turned 50.  My faithful golfing buddy, Mike, was there to join me, and Sheri rode the cart.  We have a tee time at Pebble Beach!!!!
 
We came down to the Monterey Peninsula the night before, and stayed at our favorite Bed and Breakfast, the Gosby House Inn in Pacific Grove.  It is another of the Four Sisters B & B’s, and the first one that we ever tried.  It is located right on Lighthouse Avenue in downtown PG.  If their gourmet breakfast is not to your liking, just go across the street to another of our favorites:  Toasties.  Their Crab Benedict is superior to any eggs benedict you can find anywhere.  They also serve a really good French Roast coffee upon request.  Their breakfast burrito, Sheri’s favorite, is also delicious.
 
We drove through a light fog, through the gate at the entrance to 17 Mile Drive.  The park fee is waived if you stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach or the Inn at Spanish Bay.  The excitement builds as we got close to the Lodge and Pro Shop.  But suddenly, I realized I forgot my golf shoes.  I went inside the Pro Shop to buy a pair, but they were rather pricey.  Fortunately, Mike pulled up and had an extra pair (my size) in his trunk.
 
As our tee time approached, I got nervous, much like at St. Andrews Scotland.  Again, I prayed that I could just get the ball somewhere down the 1st fairway, without hitting any of the rooms at the Lodge.  I managed a decent 3 wood off the tee, and off we went.  We walked, placed our bags on the cart, and had Sheri drive.  Needless to say, it was a magical round of golf, one that I will never forget.  As we played each hole, we reminisced about seeing the course on TV, during the U.S. Open or the ATT tournament.  The sun broke through the fog at about the 3rd hole.
 
We were playing with two guys from Ireland, of all places.  Funny guys, and pretty good golfers too.  They got rather excited on the short par 3 7th hole (about 90 yards), when I hit my wedge to about 5 inches of the cup.  They thought it was in the cup, and were already building their thirst for the drinks in the Tap Room after.  When we reached the green, it was the width of my hand behind the cup!!!
 
The difficult 8th hole was a treat as well.  My tee shot was rather feeble, but my second shot was a once in a lifetime shot.  It crossed the cliffs (and ocean) majestically, landed softly on the green, and a par was made.  Two of my best holes ever, on Pebble no less.  I don’t remember much else about the round until we reached 16 and 17.  This well dressed lady appeared on the cart path with a big smile on her face.  She asked if we were having a nice day, to which I replied, YES, the best day ever.  She replied that she too, was having a best day, since she just bought a home on the 14th fairway.
 
As we walked up the famous 18th fairway, we remarked about all the famous people who preceded us.  Over the years to come, I would walk the 18th fairway at lunchtime.  Somehow, I had garnered a part time job as a relief pharmacist in the pharmacy at the Lodge.  We also got free lunch, free golf, and a company apartment when we were working.
 
Let me digress a moment.  When I worked at Pebble, I filled prescriptions for some famous people.  This includes Earl Woods (Tiger’s Dad), Jack Lemmon, Clint Eastwood, Alan Shepherd, Peter Uebberoth, Huey Lewis, Kevin Costner, and Bill Murray, among others.  I can also tell you a deep dark secret.  Alan Shepherd, the famous astronaut, contracted leukemia while in space.  Nobody was told officially, but he told us.  So when he died a few years later, his family was allowed to spread his ashes in Monterey Bay.  Now you know a deep dark government secret.
 
As we finished, we said our goodbyes and headed to the Tap Room in the Lodge.  Did you know they have the best Portobello mushroom soup?  They also have plenty of cold beer and a well stocked bar.  Too bad the hole in one did not happen.  I would not mind buying in a setting like this.
 
All we had to do at this point, was to walk over to our room at the Lodge.  The rack rate is about $500, but we are able to stay on the Friends and Family rate since I once worked there.  The rooms are rather generous in proportion, with fireplaces, parlour, wet bars, huge bathrooms, and some with Jacuzzis inside or out.  In the past, we have stayed in the Bill Murray suite over near the 18th fairway. Oh, and no tipping since they charge a resort fee when you check in.  We order things all day long, buckets of ice for my champagne, and empty the snacks in the honor bar (no charge). 
 
When it is dinner time, the shuttle takes us over to Roy’s at Spanish Bay.  Our friend, Marcia has been waiting on us for about 10 years now.  She is from Brazil, and a real charmer.  This particular Roy’s is the very best in the chain, and worthy of its place at Pebble.  And of course, at 6pm, the bagpiper walking down the 1st fairway, around to the outdoor fireplace outside the lobby, is a nice touch.
 
Another alternative to staying at Pebble or Spanish Bay is Casa Palmero, just on the edge of Pebble, near the Tennis Club and Beach Club.  It is much pricier, but also much nicer.  The rooms are even bigger, breakfast is delivered every morning, and cocktails are served in a private bar with all the food you can possibly want.  It makes dinner unnecessary.  The common area also has game rooms, TV room, library, meeting rooms, pool, and meditation room.  It reminds me of an Italian villa in Tuscany or Sicily.
 
The Pebble experience is a once in a lifetime honor.  Though we never tire of our visits there, the first one was the one that got us hooked.  Free use of a Lexus is also included.  What is not to like?