The word that became overused during the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was surreal.
Years later, what I remember comes in flashes: “Sweet Caroline” drifting across the iconic 18th hole during my second shot; Peter Jacobsen and Ben Rector’s duet on the 14th tee with the morning sun beaming through the pines; generous high-fives from my playing partners; crowd roars; cliffs tumbling into the Pacific; a great friend carrying my clubs, and in many ways, my dreams.
The memories flicker like a film montage. Sights and sounds return in no particular order, eliciting powerful feelings. Occasionally I’ll relive a decision that could have been better — a bad club choice or a misread wind. But most of the memories are of majestic drives, fist pumps and excited friends cheering until they’re hoarse.
I received a sponsor’s exemption and remain forever grateful to those who made it happen. Legendary quarterback Steve Young was my partner for the first 54 holes — a stroke of unimaginable luck. Steve is a towering man, but even more impressive is his decency.
