Pebble Beach Golf Links...enough said!

Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most recognizable golf courses in the Western world if not the world. Designed in 1919 by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant on the Monterey Peninsula in Pebble Beach, California. The course itself sits on the coastline of the what is known as Stillwater Bay directly connected to the Pacific Ocean. In designing Pebble Beach, Neville's goal was to utilize the beautiful vistas along the Pacific coast as much as he possibly could. In fact the ocean is visible from nearly every hole on the golf course and for that reason is regarded by many critiques as the one of the most beautiful courses in the United States. Because of that it consistently ranked as one of the top golf courses in the nation and has been ranked first many times by the voters of the Golfweek golf course rankings. What makes Neville's design even more incredible is that it was his first and only golf course design. Since the original design only a few major redesigns have been done. The most recent and probably most prominent was that done by Jack Nicklaus in 1990 in preparation for the 1992 U.S. Open.

For a complete historical time-line of golf at Pebble Beach you can visit their website at http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?id=924

It only seems prudent to next talk about the signature holes. The only issue with this is that there are so many that words alone cannot provide justification. Because of this I think that these holes would be best described through pictures.

This is the 6th hole, a par 5 measuring roughly 500 yards for member play.

This is the 7th hole, a short par three that is pictured in many golf photos.

This is the the par 4, 8th hole. A long and tricky hole that sits directly on some of the tallest cliffs on the course.

This is the famed par 5, 18th hole, site of many big time tournament finishes.

As you can see the beauty of Pebble Beach is almost unprecedented in any other golf course in the U.S. if not the world. Although a beauty it can be a beast as well. It's difficulty is defined by the many championships that have been hosted here of its beautiful history. Some of these tournaments include the very popular Pebble Beach National Pro-Am held every year bringing some of the biggest celebrities and the best professionals. Other Championships held here include multiple U.S. Opens and U.S. Amateurs.

I have had the great privilege of seeing the golf course and resort twice. I must say that seeing is believing. Pictures do no justification for this world renowned course. Being there gives one a feeling of excellence and greatness. Affluence prevails at this resort including for golf. In fact, to play golf for someone not staying at the resort is a minimal (sarcasm) $500 dollars riding but for those who've played it...it was worth it. You enter an gawking tourist and you leave an experienced, accomplished player. For the few who have played the course it is a privilege that they would never pass up and never forget. If you were given the chance at least to see it, take advantage of the opportunity because you will not be let down.

Information used to compile this post was drawn from Wikipedia.com and Pebble Beach's Official website www.pebblebeach.com (this is a great resource to receive more in depth information about the course and its partners).