[Fred Brattain]

I had the opportunity as a young lad of 17 to play in the Crosby. For you young pups, that is what has become the AT&t Proa-Am. Back in those days it was more of a party. I grew up playing Pebble Beach, caddied there as a lad, and at the time was playing to a +2. I was one of those lanky kids that could hit it a ton and, if you had $25.00 you wanted to wager, I was glad to show you around PB and take your money . Anyway, Mr. Palmer was in my group as we stepped up on the first tee at Pebble on the first day of the Crosby. I was PETRIFIED. The only time in my life I remember being more scared was later, the first time I took my team into a hot LZ in 'Nam. Anyway, the first hole at PB is a nice, relaxed start. A little dog leg right, which was a 3-wood/wedge, maybe get your bird and go on kinda hole.

I had never played in front of a CROWD before. There were easily 3000 people lining the fairway. I stepped up to the tee, put my ball on the peg, had a TOTAL meltdown and drove the tee out from under the ball without ever touching the darn ball at all. It simply fell straight down into this HUGE divot. As you can imagine, at the age of 17, I wanted to die. I was literally on the verge of tears. The crowd was mercifully silent.

Mr. Palmer came over and put his arm around me and said "We aren't out here to kill it, just ease it into the next world."

I started laughing, the mood broke and I was fine. I will FOREVER be in that man's debt for that one simple gesture of kindness and understanding. He is not the greatest GOLFER to ever play the game (that title belongs to Nicklaus), but he is THE KING and always will be......

Obi WunPutt