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Stepping up at Baseball’s World Series of Golf

A first-timer fuses a passion for golf and baseball at Pebble Beach's revered courses and in a tournament setting.

Editor’s note: Jack Burris is managing director for Buffalo Groupe, which owns The First Call.   

My early December journey began in Charlotte, North Carolina, as I boarded a flight headed for Baseball’s World Series of Golf at Pebble Beach Resort. I had visited there before and played a round or two, but never its three iconic courses — Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the Links at Spanish Bay — in a span of five days, which is what the event’s format called for. 

Baseball's World Series of Golf is a storied event with roots dating back to 1991. It was the brainchild of Jamie Warren, a former employee of Pebble Beach, and Rick Mahler, a former pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. The tournament’s format is as exciting as it is challenging. As for baseball players, this year's field included Bret Boone, Adam Frazier, Paul Konerko, Richie Sexson, David Freese and JJ Putz. 

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Hole No. 4 green at Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

Our four-man team was ready to tackle the combined gross and net competitions, individual and team challenges, skins games, and the unique two-man true alternate shot and single-player shootouts.

But not before settling into our accommodations at The Inn at Spanish Bay, which included a 4:30 p.m. cocktail hour just in time for the traditional evening bagpiper. The event was filled with the glow of illuminated golf balls and the aroma of hors d'oeuvres. The welcome reception was the perfect start. 

DAY 1: A BATTLE AT SPYGLASS
Our first day of competition took us to the formidable Spyglass Hill. Known for its demanding layout and front nine coastal views, Spyglass proved to be a true test of skill and strategy. Thick, tall rough, narrow fairways and undulating greens meant every shot required patience and precision.

Greg Palmer, whom I met in 2008 during his tenure at GolfNow and is now CEO of Golfballs.com, childhood friend and client Matthew Cochrane and his business partner Paul DeHaan, owners of IT consulting company Level Solutions Group, made up our foursome. Knowing there are net and gross team competitions, net and gross skins and several days of golf, we were optimistic about our potential outcomes. Nevertheless, a few errant shots put us in 10th place out of 22 teams. 

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From left, Matthew Cochrane, Jack Burris, Paul DeHaan and Greg Palmer.

DAY 2: A SYMPHONY AT SPANISH BAY
The second day brought us to the picturesque Spanish Bay. The first tee, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most iconic views in golf. As we teed off, the beauty of the course was matched only by the thrill of the competition. Having a round under our belts and more generous fairways ahead of us, our team was a little more comfortable on Day 2. And by day’s end, we were comfortably situated in the middle of the pack.

DAY 3: A MAGICAL DAY AT PEBBLE BEACH
There’s so much I could say about our round at Pebble Beach, but, in summary, the third day was exactly what you hope a round at Pebble Beach could be. This is a course that has hosted countless championships — and will host the 2027 U.S. Open — and inspired generations of golfers. The iconic 18th hole, with its dramatic cliffside finish, provided a fitting backdrop for a magical day. I called my dad — we always swap golf stories — to tell him about our incredible day and he said, “Pebble might be my number one course in the world when it’s in good shape.” I knew we had a special day. 

Here's where the magic truly unfolded. My playing partner, Greg, was on fire. He drained birdies on holes seven, eight, 12, 15 and 18. It was incredible to witness his hot streak. I contributed a birdie or two myself, and our third teammate also made some key birdies. These clutch shots were exactly what we needed if we had any chance of climbing the leaderboard, which we did, finishing the day in second place of the overall net competition. 

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Greg Palmer walks the fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

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DAY 4: REALITY SETS IN AT SPYGLASS
Our final round returned us to the demanding Spyglass Hill. The course tested our skills once again, but the unique allure of Pebble Beach seemed to have faded. While we fought hard, our hopes of hoisting the trophy dwindled. After such a big move up the leaderboard the day before, we plummeted just as far downward on this day, finishing the event in 10th place. 

EVENINGS ON THE MONTEREY PENINSULA
After each long day on the course, we had the option to dine at one of the many excellent restaurants on site or venture into the charming town of Monterey. The evenings were filled with a lot of tall tales of long drives, birdies and, of course, "I would have shot … if I had just made those putts on four, 12 and 17." 

THE GRAND FINALE: THE CLOSING AWARDS DINNER
The tournament culminated in a great awards dinner. As we celebrated the accomplishments of the winners, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible week we had experienced. The event has brought together some of baseball's greatest players and most passionate fans.

2024 Tournament Results:

  • 1st Place Gross: Glenn Williams, Lee Phillips, Dan Heard, Michael Coburn
  • 2nd Place Gross: Adam Frazier, Mike Ford, Rob Jacobsen, Brett Kirchhofer
  • 3rd Place Gross: David Freese, Adam Betz, Nick Ohl, Cal Shapiro
  • 1st Place Net: Ryan Franklin, Collin McMillan, Chad Martin, Bryan Lamey
  • 2nd Place Net: Blake Schroeder, Pete Aswad, AJ Powers, Bob Zizka
  • 3rd Place Net: Jim Babst, Rocky Sgrillo, Gerard Margiotti, Michael Grugan

The event was more than just a golf tournament; it was a celebration of the game, a test of skill and an unforgettable experience. I'll cherish the memories of those days on the Monterey Peninsula for years to come.

For information on the event and how to register, visit BaseballWorldSeriesofGolf.com.


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