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Pro-Ams a mixed blessing
for the pro
Pro-am golf can be something of a double-edged sword.
More often than not, the amateur will be champing at the bit to peg it up in
such exalted company while the pro, after dispensing a tip or two, desperately
waits for the 18th green to arrive as soon as possible.
Usually, a pro-am is a one-day competition staged on the eve of the tournament
proper and the professional will generally use the opportunity for last-minute
preparation for Thursday's opening round.
Of course, if his amateur playing partner is a low-handicapper, then the pro
will enjoy his round a great deal more.
Pro-am tournaments played over four days, where the emphasis is on celebrity
amateurs, are a very different kettle of fish altogether, because the pro is playing
for position and money -- and not just for practice.
Celebrity or not, the amateur could be a high-handicapper and, if this is the
case, the best thing he or she can do is ensure that the pace of play on the day
is maintained to a reasonable extent.
The best-known celebrity pro-am in world golf is the early-year Pebble Beach
National Pro-Am which takes place on California's Monterey Peninsula.
The brainchild of Bing Crosby, who gathered together a small group of friends
for some light-hearted golf in 1937, this event has mushroomed into a multi-million
dollar affair and is hosted on three of the best courses in the game.
Play alternates between Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills before
the final round focuses on Pebble Beach for the decisive Sunday.
The last two winners of this prestigious event, in 2000 and 2001 respectively,
have been world number one Tiger Woods and fourth-ranked David Love III.
Love III won this year's title and a cheque for $720,000 in dramatic fashion,
coming back from a seven-shot deficit on the last day with a brilliant nine-under-par
63 -- the lowest score ever shot at Pebble Beach without using the lift, clean
and place rule.
Yet, on accepting his winner's trophy, the likeable North Carolinan chose to
emphasise how much the pros enjoyed the presence of celebrity amateurs at the
event.
"I never thought I would be on the 18th green on Pebble Beach getting
a trophy from Clint Eastwood," he said.
"I never thought I would play with (ex-NBA great) Bill Russell, either.
It's pretty amazing what we get to do on the PGA Tour, just because we can hit
a little ball around."
On this year's European Tour, the inaugural Dunhill Links Championship has
been created in the image of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Like Pebble Beach, it is a pro-am celebrity event played over three courses
for the first three days and, as the tournament's name suggests, the three courses
have been chosen to celebrate links golf.
The famous Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarn were the joint
venues but, given that the championship was held in Scotland in late October,
the weather was always going to be very different from steaming California in
early February.
The $5 million event, which replaced the previous Alfred Dunhill Cup team competition,
is the richest ever staged in Britain but its inaugural showing received widespread
media criticism after being hit by fog and rain.
The final round was forced into an extra day.
Yet, just as with the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, this year's Dunhill Links Championship
proved to be a big hit for both pros and celebrities.
Ireland's Paul McGinley, who was paired with "Sex in the City" actor
Kyle MacLachlan, said: "The great thing is that this event is multi-dimensional.
We play so much on tour that is one-dimensional.
"Golf is a sport where professionals and amateurs can play alongside each
other. Sadly, I can't play alongside (British footballers) David Beckham or Roy
Keane at Old Trafford in a competitive match."
Hollywood actor Michael Douglas also waxed lyrical: "From our end, it's
a fantasy come true - a tremendous treat for the amateurs. The event got clobbered
by the weather, but you couldn't ask for three better courses."
European number one Lee Westwood, who partnered film celebrity Samuel L Jackson,
said: "I've enjoyed it more than I have in the past and it's as much a thrill
for us to play with people like Samuel and Michael as they say it is to play with
professionals."
Pro-am golf may be a double-edged sword, but pro celebrity tournament golf
seems to have pitched itself at the perfect market.
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