By Hunter Milligan

18th tee box overlooking the clubhouse.

Any golf fan or player, serious or not, has heard of Pebble Beach. As one of the most iconic golfing destinations, it is truly the Mecca for the avid golfer. I, my father Randy Milligan, and Michael Stewart (‘20) embarked on a journey out to Pebble Beach, California on July 23, 2020. 

We began our four-day golf trip with our first round at Pebble Beach Golf Links. It was around 60 degrees, with the sun shimmering; typical Pebble Beach weather. Our tee time was in the late afternoon, which we quickly learned was a monumental mistake, especially for my father who, like many other golfers, believes the average round of golf should take around four hours. However, rounds at Pebble Beach are upwards of six hours, as everybody is undeniably taking in all of the views the course has to offer.

We played behind a recent Stanford graduate who owns a Bitcoin hedge fund in New York City, who decided today was the day that he would start playing golf. While I respect his determination, I found it amusing that he would choose Pebble Beach, one of the hardest golf courses in the world, to begin his golf career. Nevertheless, we had a great time soaking in every minute and every view we possibly could.

18th tee box overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Pebble Beach is located on the Monterey Peninsula on the coast of California, between the towns of Carmel and Monterey, and about a two-hour drive down the coast from downtown San Francisco. When you first arrive on the Monterey Peninsula, you are amazed by the views that compliment this iconic golf course. Everything from the one-hundred foot cliffs to the surfers shredding seven-foot waves, it is truly one of the prettiest places on earth. 

Pebble Beach is not only known for its looks, but for its outstanding history and memorable moments throughout its 84 years. Pebble Beach has been the host of nine U.S. Open Championships, the most memorable being the 2000 U.S. Open, when Tiger Woods walloped the field by a record-setting fifteen strokes. Growing up a Woods fanatic, it was incredible to experience the same golf course that ultimately shaped his career. There is history all around Pebble Beach, from the secret locker room behind the pro shop to the hidden landmarks laid in the rough around the course. It is not only a golf course, but a museum that tells the story of golf’s history. 

Secret locker room behind the pro shop. Past visitors have included Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Tom Kite.

Immediately following the round, we headed to the clubhouse, where we had an 8:30 dinner reservation at The Bench, a beautiful spot for anybody looking to have a great meal with a great view. We were tired and hungry after traveling across the country and playing eighteen holes in the same day. But when I tell you that I had the best steak of all time at this restaurant, I mean it. I ordered the “Kobe Gold,” which was a seasonal menu option. When it arrived, I took one bite and couldn’t believe what I had just eaten. I immediately gave a piece to Stewart, with him replying, “Dude, that is remarkable,” and he doesn’t even like steak. Following the meal, we hit the beds and got ready for thirty-six holes the next day. 

Eating at The Bench overlooking the 18th hole.

That following morning, we had a 8:10 a.m. tee time at the Spyglass Hill course, which, in my opinion, has the best starting six holes I have ever seen or played. It offers an array of difficult holes that include amazing views and is dubbed  “The Greatest Meeting of Sand and Trees.” The remarkable thing about Spyglass Hill is the diversity the course provides. The front nine is mostly on the water, with high winds and small greens, while the back nine consists of tucked away par threes covered with intimidating trees and high rough. It is a true test of your skills. 

Our caddie, Ray, overlooking Spyglass Hill, hole four. 

Monterey Peninsula offers some of the best, if not the best, collection of golf courses in the world. Four courses within five miles of each other were all ranked within the top 100 best golf courses in the world in 2019-2020. Pebble Beach takes the top spot for the best public golf course in the world, while its neighbors Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay are number ten and forty-eight, respectively, in the world for public golf courses. While this is already an impressive collection of golf courses, there is one more.

Cypress Point, possibly the most exclusive and best golf course in the entire world, is a private golf club that sits on the corner of the Monterey Peninsula and offers some of the most incredible views you can find. Known around the world as “The Sistine Chapel of Golf,” it is truly the purest and most mind-blowing golf course in the entire World. Alister Mackenzie designed this course in 1929, and it continues to sit on top of the rankings as the world’s most beautiful golf course. Mackenzie is arguably the best golf course architect of all time, building courses such as Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters, and many other famous courses around the world. Every respected golf course architect has a signature, and Mackenzie’s was his ability to camouflage bunkers around the course, thanks to the techniques he learned while serving in the Boer War in 1900. With only about thirty local members, including sportscaster Jim Nantz and Joseph Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors, both of whom have massive mansions along Pebble Beach, it is one of the hardest golf clubs to join. 

Monterey Peninsula offers more than you can dream of, being one, if not, my favorite place on earth. I hope to be heading back to the West Coast soon to experience the greatest golf has to offer.

All photos by Hunter Milligan.