7 Fun Facts of the AT&T Pebble Beach Celebrity Pro-Am

For the past 80 years the famous Celebrity Pro-Am has brought together the day’s top professional golfers and Hollywood legends to the California coast as they entertain the golfing world while chasing a little white ball with a stick.  As a fun follow up to the weekend’s latest victor we’ve compiled a list of notable happenings, fun facts, inside the ropes stories, and dramatic weather encounters. 1.    It’s amazing to think about the vast increase in player purse from today to the humble beginnings of the tournament.  In the inaugural 1937 year Sam Snead took home first with 4 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor to take home a prize of $500.   Just Sunday, Taylor Vaughn was awarded $1.26 million. 2.    Of close to 80 years’ worth of winners, a non-American has only taken home the trophy three times. 3.    We all know that Tiger Woods has won the same tournament multiple times but the man who holds the record of winning this particular tournament the most is Mark O’Meara.  He’s finished on top five times – 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1997.  Phil Mickelson and Sam Snead share second place with four victories each. 4.    This tournament is notorious for rainy weather.  Although many think California is the home of year-round sunshine, it does receive some fair amount of rain.  In 1998 the tournament began per usual in February but believe it or not the final round was delayed until August.  Just a couple years prior the tournament couldn’t be completed due to inclement weather.  Apparently a backup plan was implemented for future years and it has already come in handy. 5.    Did you know that the only year that play did not occur was 1942?  Why?  WWII was in full swing and officials determined to skip. 6.    Over the years top celebrity names have played in the tournament including fan favorites Bill Murray, Justin Timberlake, and Kevin Costner but even though many of the celebrities are truly great golfers only one has ever made the cut.  In 1964 movie and television star Jim Backus made the 36-hole cut. 7.    Security is incredibly tight as you would imagine during the tournament.  Back in 2007 Frogger Founder Jeremiah Bohannon was standing alongside the ropes as a spectator during a practice round and reached out to hand celebrity Don Cheadle a BrushPro.  Cheadle’s caddie dove in between them to protect him as if what Bohannon was handing was a bomb.  Thankfully, upon closer inspection Cheadle loved the BushPro and thankfully took it along for the remainder of the competition. Have you ever attended the tournament and have a fun story to add?  Let us know in the comments below!