MONTEREY, Calif.- Last year at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am well-known writer from the San Francisco Examiner, Art Spander told me, "Would this tourney be more fun, better off with Tiger? Absolutely...But as I mentioned, it can get by and has gotten by with big crowds because it's a different type of event."
I interviewed him at the tournament about why the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am survives even without Tiger. This year with Woods back, the question is: Will it thrive?
"Ticket sales are about 20% up compared to last year," said new Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO Steve John. He called it the "Tiger Factor."
"Right after he committed there was a big bump, but it's been pretty steady ever since, so we're well ahead of where we were last year."
So are local hotels, "We are significantly ahead of last year as far as the days leading up to the tournament," said Intercontinental The Clement Monterey Director of Sales, Cath Faber.
The Intercontinental Hotel on Cannery Row said as a whole business was better in 2011 than 2009 and 2010 even with the U.S. Open boost in 2010.
And a Tiger Woods appearance this year should help even more, "We're seeing more foot traffic on Cannery Row, the media interest is escalating that does good things for the corporate sponsors."
The Intercontinental is seeing those tournament sponsors buy blocks of rooms instead of individuals like in recent years.
The smaller hotels said they aren't full up just yet, but that's ok because what they are seeing is people booking Friday and Saturday night as opposed to just one day like last year.
John said that has a lot to do with Tiger back on the peninsula, "He brings a whole new person to the tournament. Not necessarily golfers it's just a general interest about what Tiger's about."
Tiger Woods is set to partner with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
