Autographs at Pebble Beach are Par for the Course

On the one year anniversary of Jordan Spieth calling out “adult autograph seekers” at this week’s PGA Tour stop, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the stars are aligning on the Monterey Peninsula this week to play golf, share some fellowship and interact with golf fans on what many consider, some of the most beautiful golf courses in the United States.

The 2017 edition of this legendary golf tournament was marred by retired quarterback, Peyton Manning surrounded by a mob of fans clamoring for an autograph, that he couldn’t get out of without help. Video of the football star navigating the fans surfaced on YouTube, and it caught the attention of tournament goers and other celebs participating in the event.

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But most of the autograph news attention fell on three-time major champion, Jordan Spieth, who after a practice round, sped by a number of male adults who subsequently chided him for not signing for them. Spieth turned back and accused them of looking to sell his autograph on the Internet and that he’d investigated the evidence of it online.

The men continued to chirp at Spieth as he walked into the players-only staging era and at least one lobbed an obscenity at him while he was signing an autograph for a young boy.

Spieth turned back to the men and said, “C’mon, guys, there are children here.” 

Despite these two isolated incidents, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has a long history of being a fan friendly event. On the course this week are not only the top PGA Tour players, but also the stars of stage, screen and other sports, playing as amateur partners to the professionals.

The annual tournament is a bit of a logistical nightmare for fans as the action takes place on three different courses for the first three days of play. Golfers play Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course, and those making the cut all play Pebble Beach on Sunday.

The world’s top three golfers are all entered this year in Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth, with Rory McIlroy also entered for the first time.

Part of the lore of Pebble Beach is that the tournament also features amateur celebrities and professional athletes teeing it up with the pros.

The 2018 entry list is extra stacked:

Bret Baier

Carson Daly

Tom Dreesen

Josh Duhamel

Larry Fitzgerald

Colt Ford

Wayne Gretzky

Chris Harrison

Toby Keith

Thomas Keller

Charles Kelley

Huey Lewis

Pat Monahan

Bill Murray

Chris O’Donnell

Jake Owen

Alfonso Ribeiro

Aaron Rodgers

Kelly Rohrbach

Ray Romano

Tony Romo

Joe Don Rooney

Darius Rucker

Alex Smith

Larry the Cable Guy

Justin Verlander

Clay Walker

Steve Young

As with most PGA Tour events, players sign autographs following their round as they leave the 18th hole. As in the past, the PGA Tour has instituted a special roped off area just for kids that is popular, as players love to sign for children. Many of the autograph “regulars” at Pebble Beach say to offer only one item to be signed as any additional can be a signal that you are a for profit dealer. Other advice you hit the Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club, as there are less fans in attendance at these venues, particularly on Thursday and Friday.

If you are going:

Spectators may use a camera only on practice days: Monday–Wednesday. Cameras are not allowed on course during tournament rounds, Thursday–Sunday. Cell phones may be used to take photos all days during the tournament. No large bags or backpacks. All items are subject to search. Unauthorized items will be confiscated.

Jordan Spieth Bobbleheads

Once again, this is expected to be a hot item. Be one of the first 5,000 spectators on Saturday to receive your commemorative Jordan Spieth bobblehead, that features him holding the 2017 trophy.

See more fan information for the 2018 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am here.

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About Rick Limpert

Based in Atlanta, Rick Limpert is an award-winning writer and a collector of sports memorabilia. He's a regular contributor to CBS Atlanta, Everything Georgia, AJC and others.