It’s Pebble Beach time! This means Carl Spackler and Tin Cup will tee off with the PGA’s best on one of America’s most serene courses.

Here are some thoughts on the tournament:

David Duval: Duval finished last year tied for runner-up with JB Holmes (one stroke behind winner Dustin Johnson) stirring up fan memories of his past playing abilities that led him to win the 2001 British Open. It would be great to see Davie back in form for the start of the 2011 season.

John Daly: John Daly is in the field this week (paired with Dallas Cowboy’s Tony Romo). Daly, struggling with his game, losing his tour card, and seeing his earnings shrink, will be toting a new golf bag that looks like something straight out Caddyshack. The bag sports a loud red pattern that matches the trousers he wears on the golf course and has a built-in flat screen television that will run ads – another needed money maker for Daly. All it’s lacking is the beer tap and clubs that shoot out of the bag.

Michael Bolton: India’s Arjun Atwal will be playing alongside singer Michael Bolton. Wednesday’s 3M Celebrity Challenge brought inspiration to everyone, but it was actor-comedian Anthony Anderson who felt Bolton’s presence the most. Anderson burst into song Wednesday (suddenly and loudly) on the 18th green – his timing seemed suspicious. “When a maaa-an loves a woo-man …” Anderson bellowed semi-melodically as Michael Bolton stood over a 5-foot putt worth $19,000 in charity money. Bolton stepped away from his ball with a cocked eyebrow, waited for the laughter to subside, then refocused and rolled the putt into the cup to win the biggest chunk of the cash in the match.

For the easy-listening fans out there, musician Kenny G is paired with South Korean K.J. Choi. G won the 2001 pro-am with Phil Mickelson in 2001.

Cell Phones: Cell phones will be allowed for the first time in years, provided they are put on silent and users aren’t yapping near the ropes or taking pictures, two big no-no’s (photos are allowed during practice rounds). A public service video from tournament chair Clint Eastwood will remind arriving fans of the new rule as they board shuttle. Paring sheets this year they are available as an app at the Android Market, iPhone App Store, or iTunes.

Business as Usual: As usual, Tiger Woods will skip the Pro-Am as he has done since 2002, playing this week in the Dubai Desert Classic (who wouldn’t choose 135 degree heat over the cool breezes of the California coast?)

Keith

The first golf course designed by Tiger Woods will not open as scheduled due to worsening economic conditions in Dubai.  The scheduled opening has been delayed by at least 6 months.

“It’s six months as of right now,” Woods said in an interview at the Memorial. “It’s going to be behind schedule. Obviously, the economy has turned over there and they’ve slowed down construction because of it.”

The total project, called “Tiger Woods Dubai”, includes 100 villas, 75 mansions, 22 palaces and a 360,000 square foot luxury hotel.  The course only had 3 holes under construction when the project was halted.

Woods has 2 other courses in the works – one  in North Carolina (The Cliffs at High Carolina) and one in Mexico (Punta Brava).  Both courses are awaiting permits but otherwise are on schedule.  The North Carolina course is expected to open in the middle of 2010 and the Mexico course is slated to open in late 2010.

Augusta National edged out Pine Valley Golf Course as America’s #1 course, according to Golf Digest.  The Golf Digest ranking is the oldest, most rigorous and most prestigious ranking in the game.

For the full list, click here.

The Merion Golf Club added 300 yards to the course in preparation for the Walker Cup Match in September (sort of a warm-up for the 2013 US Open for the course).  Merion is known for its narrow fairways, deep roughs and sculpted greens.  US Walker Cup captain Buddy Marucci is certain the the changes will challenge even the best golfers.

“Part of the genius of what has been done here is that the difficult holes were made more difficult, and the easier, shorter holes pretty much stayed the same,” Marucci said at a Walker Cup press event on Tuesday. “I think what has happened is the architecture that was there for 100 years just popped out even more, and the challenges are back to where they were.

“At some places, 300 and some yards might not be significant, but it has made a tremendous difference here, just by allowing that architecture to come back out.”

For the first time in 15 years, the British Open will be played at the Turnberry Resort in Scotland.  And to celebrate the return of the Open, the good people of Turnberry have lengthened the course by 247 yards (135 of which comes on the last 3 holes).

The new layout features 6 new tees, including a 200 yard drive over the bay near the famous Lighthouse hole on the 10th.  The changes have been made gradually over the years and were announced on Tuesday at a news conference at the course.  The overall length is now 7,204 yards, up from 6,957.

The British Open will be played at Turnberry July 16-19.