Pebble Beach. Fred Couples. Tom Watson. Free.
That's right. Free, as in "free." No admission.
The Home Care & Hospice First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, the Champions Tour stop featuring First Tee juniors, has agreed — for at least one year — to open its gates at no charge for the 54-hole tournament beginning Friday.
In this case, there is no catch.
"It just made sense. We're trying to encourage people to come out and enjoy it," said Cathy Scherzer, the Modesto-raised tournament marketing director. "We weren't making tremendous amounts of money, and we want Northern California to see what we're doing here."
Tournament crowds never have risen above the 15,000 mark in the event's six-year history. The vibe is laid-back — great weather, low-key atmosphere and spectacular venues at Pebble Beach and Del Monte.
Admission charge last year was $25 per day. This year, it's your favorite price.
"We're going to try it," Scherzer said. "I can't guarantee anything next year."
Parking also won't be difficult. Spectators can drive to the 17-Mile Drive gate, state that they're going to the tournament (no charge at the gate) and they'll be directed to parking on the polo fields above Pebble Beach, again at no cost.
Jeff Sluman will pursue his third straight win at Pebble, but the pros often are upstaged by the 78 First Tee juniors. The First Tee of Modesto has been represented during all but one year, featuring contestants such as Julianna Uhrik (tied for seventh in 2004 with David Eger), Marina Martinez, Katie Canadas, Fredrik Palmer and sisters Kathleen and Esther Rojas.
This weekend, the local banner will be carried by Modesto First Tee member Danny Wong, 15, an Oakdale High sophomore. Wong twice has made the bus trip over the years to root for his fellow First Tee members in the tournament — Modesto always brings a bus-full to the tournament — and now he's inside the gallery ropes. By the way, he's doing makeup work to cover for his school absence.
"I hope to meet a lot of the juniors and the pros," Wong said. "This is beyond my dreams."
• THE CHAMPION — Winning the Modesto Golf Club title means beating Brandon Dunn. Lately, no one is capable. Dunn, a former teammate of PGA Tour pro Matt Bettencourt at Beyer High, won his fifth straight club title last weekend with rounds of 70 and 72 at Dryden Park, three strokes better than runner-up Frank Gonzalez. "I made a lot of bogeys on Sunday. Six pars, six birdies and six bogeys," Dunn said.
The victory was his fifth straight and sixth overall for Dunn, a club member for more than 20 years. "I play two to three times a week no counting practice," he said, solid proof in how hard he works on his game.
Kurt Abell won the second flight and Bill Deal captured the third flight.
• THE SHAG BAG — Want a lesson for free? Care to sample state-of-the-art equipment? Looking for a clearance sale for clubs or attire? It's all there at the second Valley Golf Demo Day and Tent Sale on Sept. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Creekside. Director Mike Dowd says the event drew about 800 last year, and the number of booths — representing almost all local golf clubs, golf-club manufacturers and organizations — will be doubled over 2009. "Instead of putting the clubs away for winter, people may think of this as the start of a second season," Dowd said. Heritage Ford and American Chevrolet also will display cars. There is no admission charge. Call Creekside, 571-5123, or Dowd, 847-2924, ext. 112, for more information. ...
The Stevinson Ranch Owners Invitational, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is scheduled for Sept. 19. The fee is $95 for the three-person scramble-net which features tee prizes, lunch and a post-golf dinner with the Kelley family. Call 664-6450.
• HOLE-IN-ONE — Curtis Redding, Ripon, 147-yard 12th at Creekside, driver.
Bee staff writer Ron Agostini can be reached at 578-2302 or ragostini@modbee.com.
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