54 NCGA Golf SPRING 2009
REPRODUCEDBYPERMISSIONOFAT&TPEBBLEBEACHNATIONALPRO-AM
For Sale: Real estate agents always look forward to the increased
foot traffic around the Peninsula during the AT&T. The frame of mind this
year unfortunately mirrored the economic woes of the country. According
to Keller Williams Realty and reported in Golfweek, 110 properties were
on sale in the Pebble Beach area with 30 listed since January 1. Inventory
abruptly slowed to a 258-day sales pace with a median sales price dropping
$1.45 million (compared to 111-day pace in 2006).
Poppy Hills once again proved
a tough test for the 180 profes-
sionals and their amateur partners
during the AT&T.
NCGA members have always
known that the 428-yard 5th hole
was the most difficult hole on the
course, and as recently as 2006, it
was the most difficult par 4 on the
PGA Tour. The 2009 tournament
cemented that fact as the profes-
sionals averaged .311 of a stroke
above par, making it one of the
three most difficult of the event
(along with #6 at Spyglass and #9
at Pebble Beach).
The new second hole made
its tournament debut during the
AT&T. The enlarged, contoured
green framed by a sprawling bun-
ker greatly enhances the starting
stretch. While the larger target
is undoubtedly easier to hit, the
Johnson Captures Second Tour
Win at Weather-Shortened AT&T
It's difficult to discern which was the
bigger story at the conclusion of
the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach Na-
tional Pro-Am--the return of "Crosby
weather" or the long-hitting heroics of
champion Dustin Johnson.
Rain threatened the entire week,
and 40+ mph winds mixed with the wet
stuff shortened
the tournament
to three rounds
for the first time
in 10 years.
But it was the
24-year-old,
second-year
pro Johnson
whose extreme
length provided a huge lift in the tough
conditions. The legend of the former
All-American from Costal Carolina's
length--a 9-iron into Poppy Hills' 10th,
a 7-iron to Spyglass Hill's 7th in wet
conditions with almost no roll--will
linger long after the event.
Johnson's 15-under total was good
for a four and five-stroke win over
major winners Mike Weir and Retief
Goosen. Northern California was well
represented on the final leaderboard
as Fresno's Kevin Chappell (T6) and
AT&T Pebble Beach
National Pro-Am
former NCGA Player of the Year
Spencer Levin (T14) finished well
within the money.
"Just playing at Pebble Beach,
Spyglass and Poppy, they are three
great golf courses. They just really fit
me well," Johnson said. "I'm just look-
ing forward to the rest of the year and
proving myself a little more."
With the victory, the champion
qualifies for The Masters.
The Poppy Hills
Challenge
Dustin Johnson
foot traffic around the Peninsula during the AT&T. The frame of mind this
year unfortunately mirrored the economic woes of the country. According
to
on sale in the Pebble Beach area with 30 listed since January 1. Inventory

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