The PGA Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am begins next week, and Tournament Dir Steve John saw an "immediate bump in ticket sales" in early December after announcing MLB Giants C Buster Posey would be playing, according to Ron Kroichick of the S.F. CHRONICLE. John "expects Posey to increase attendance" by as much as 10%. Posey's presence illustrates the tournament's "distinctive niche on the golf landscape, and how it hopes to remain relevant without Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson in this year’s field." The event, started by the late Bing Crosby as a way to "blend the worlds of golf and entertainment ... is tilting away from Hollywood and toward other professional sports." Giants P Matt Cain "will return to the links," as will Chiefs QB Alex Smith. Giants P Madison Bumgarner and Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw "couldn't make it work." Broncos QB Peyton Manning and Patriots QB Tom Brady "also had scheduling conflicts," while Packers QB Aaron Rodgers "passed this time because of a close friend's wedding." Baseball and football players specifically "move the needle and stir interest among spectators." That shift "makes sense," as fans "probably feel a closer connection to athletes than actors or comedians." But this all "unfolds at a time when pro-am events seem like an endangered species." The Humana Challenge "changed its approach" in '12 and "essentially dropped celebrities this year." Humana Challenge Tournament Dir & CEO Bob Marra said of the AT&T, "I think it’s different -- they’re the gold standard. Their format is so well established. ... And I think it’s smart to lock in with pro athletes. With actors, sometimes it’s 'what have you done for me lately?’” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/5).
