Content before Connection: Lesson from the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Walking the course at Spyglass Hill, one of two golf venues that host the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, I turned to my friend Charlie and asked him, "Do you always connect with people?" The man talks to every third volunteer and patron. At one point Charlie cracked a great joke with one of the players's wives. Everyone is fair game. He told me, "I just want to make people laugh. If I can get a chuckle from them, that's a good day." I said "I had a student who once told me his goal was to make another person smile. Everyday. Those are two great goals."

Whether is a laugh, snort or a smile, connecting with other people is not something I take for granted. The effort and attempt to reach out to others makes the world a better place...a warmer place...it's more interesting too. And attending the 2025 AT&T Pro-Am reminded me it's both an art and science. I think it's worth consideration and further reflection. Here's what came up for me.

For many people, reaching out to a stranger/someone new is a bit of a risk. Therefore, I think it's important to connect with others in a way that is comfortable for you—reflective of your personal style. For me, this means content before connection. Whether it's at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am or at my own club—I like to offer an observation, insight or information as my way of connecting. 

One might not need any content to connect when it's this beautiful out....

For example, when I stood near Jay Bilas on the 14th hole at the American Century Championship, I brought up an anecdote from his book "Toughness." A friend had given me the book to read and I finished it—not for the purpose of connecting with the Duke basketball star turner announcer, but because I wanted to learn if one can coach toughness. While I did not mention that question, I did say I couldn't believe the story about the game he played after having his wisdom teeth out. We both laughed. I met Charlie and my own goal in that space!

Other connections are born from observations about a person. For instance, walking off the 13th green, the crowd surrounded Stephen Curry hoping for an autograph or photo. He had to pause and wait for the ropes to clear so he could proceed to the next tee box. I said "Steph! What? no mouth guard?!" He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. He laughed and smiled. My student would have been proud. The Warriors great gave me a smile, but another NBA star, Chris Webber might have one of the most electric smiles I've seen. Rather than give a nod to his success at Michigan with yet another "Go Blue!" I told my friend to comment on his megawatt smile. He was so moved he gladly took a picture with her to show off those pearly whites.

Harrison Smith is known by his teammates at ND as "Hayseed."
Inside Irish is always a good point of connection

And one of my all time favorite connections was born from a conversation I did not even have with Aaron Rodgers. I chronicled that exchange in the post: Lessons in Leadership: The Importance of The Table, Thank you, Aaron Rodgers. Thanks to the Netflix series: Enigma, I already know what I want to say to him this year. 

Content before Connection isn't for everyone. You might have your own way of relating to others. And in no way is it a fail proof way of connecting. For example, although we followed the English golfer Justin Rose for 13 holes, I didn't have anything special to say. This was unfortunate as we had ample time and space to connect and I had seen the show "Full Swing!"  Furthermore, content before connection can be a challenge when what I know or am thinking about isn't exactly positive. I didn't want to bring up how astonishing it is to me that Alex Smith, the retired quarterback and first round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers, was 9-13 in his first three seasons with the team. In fact, he didn't play half of the games. No one wants to connect over that! I have to think this is where a smile is sufficient.

As a teacher in a Jesuit school, I have been formed to focus on connection before content. The Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm urges teachers to walk through the student's door. The program suggests that all learning is . . .

• Situated in a specific context 
• Rooted in previous experience and the result of new learning experiences.
  
  
  

Our job is to find out how that relates and connects to the lives of our students and go from there. I find this to be a valuable framework for teaching and for learning....but outside the classroom—this past weekend—I was reminded there might be other ways of proceeding. In the meantime, I would like to offer a few questions for your personal consideration.

• How do you connect with other people? What approach works for you?
• Do you have a goal to brighten another person's day? make them laugh? smile? 
• What do you know, think or see that might be meaningful, unique or fun for another person to hear? 

I think taking on an approach that works for you puts you on the path toward connection. Something we all need. 

Photo Credits
Celebs
IPP

Variety Might Be More than the Spice of Life: A Case for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

They say variety is the spice of life. I agree. Can variety be an advantage, too? 

Are you someone who intentionally mixes it up? Yes and no? No and yes? 

This school year, I have found a simple delight in taking different routes to work in the morning. I have an aunt who never orders the same meal on the menu of her favorite restaurant. Her thought is, Why should I? They have great cooks, and fresh ingredients!  Way to go, Aunt Mo. Recently, my mom was inspired by a fashion blog that challenged viewers to create at least ten new outfits from clothes one already has in their closet. She described this opportunity as "so much fun" and inspired me to do the same. This reflection on variety prompted me to consider, What does variety look like in sports? How do I mix things up in the sports I play? I found one answer in an unsuspecting place: Pebble Beach, California.

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is an annual PGA sponsored golf tournament that takes place the first week in February. Once known as the "Bing Crosby Clambake" this iconic tourney includes professional golfers (from the PGA) alongside corporate executives/sponsors and celebrities of all sorts—athletes, musicians, not to mention comedic legend Bill Murray. In recent years and pre-LIV tour, fewer and fewer high profile, top ranked players have comprised the player list. Surely it's not the setting. Green and blue spaces abound. In fact, it offers a different kind of grind. 

On the tour, golfers grow comfortable with competing on one course in a singular tournament. The AT&T Classic is played on Spyglass Hill, Monterrey Peninsula and Pebble Beach (2x). That would require additional practice rounds and course knowledge. Others don't want the distraction of the celebrities and competing next to golfers not at their level, while trying to win a PGA title (and a birth to the Masters!). And yet, the 2023 winner found the change to be a welcome thing. As written in Justin Rose wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am to book Masters spot after Gareth Bale impresses

The slow pace of the Pro-Am format is not to every professional’s liking but Rose believes it has helped bring out the best in him. 

“When you go side by side with the amateurs there’s something which maybe keeps me a little bit more mellow so I have got to learn from it,” he said.

Who knew that variety also serve as an advantage?

Jason Bateman, Bill Murray and Josh Allen are but a few of the celebs at the AT&T

Golf is a game built on tradition. Old ways die hard and tradition—by definition— is resistant to change. But the times have invited us to consider its value. My sense is that tradition is a double edge sword. We want it and yet the emergence of the LIV tour has led others to find more value in innovation. Some might argue that's the best quality LIV golf has going for it. To me, innovation has a few things in common with variety. Yes and no. No and yes. It's certainly caught people's attention (I have yet to write about the LIV tour) and spiced it up (red hot). 

Blessed John Henry Newman said, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” In what ways do you invite change? participate in it? contribute to it? When we change, no doubt there is loss—but there might be more—much more to gain!

Advice for those planning to attend in 2024
If you can—arrive on Friday (afternoon) and head right over to either Spyglass Hill or Monterey Peninsula. In the past, when I arrive late in the day, I have been able to walk in without a ticket. It is not as crowded and the TGIF spirit is palpable. You can follow but a few groups, but this might get you up close and personal with your favorite.

If you are there for celebrity sightings: One approach to engage a player you would like to meet is to offer a specific comment, idea or insight. The more specific the better. I have stories. I have examples....

Go to The Inn at Spanish Bay on Friday night. The outdoor fire pits, the sunset, the bagpipes. Surreal.

Saturday: The better players and higher profile celebrities will be playing Pebble Beach. Arrive early morning. Walk the course; get the lay of the land and then follow your favorites. Take in the green and the blue. Hit the Tap Room after. It will be crowded but it will be fun.

Per my own advice, mix it up! Variety comes in many forms. Let that underscore your visit.

Photo Credits
Justin Rose
Celebs
Pebble

FIT—My One Word Theme of the Year: What's Yours?

I won't go so far as to write 22 highlights of 2022, but if I had to, one would be attending the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course (the tourney is played on three courses). I arrived late Friday afternoon and joined my friend who had just completed her volunteer shift. We ventured out to watch the remaining groups. We were so busy catching up and enjoying the gorgeous afternoon, I actually didn't pay attention to who we were following. As fate would have it, there was so much down time on the back nine that it was easy and natural for the celebrities and golfers to interact with the fans. I looked over and realized one of my favorite singers—Darius Rucker—was in the mix.

Too often known as Hootie. Rucker is an excellent golfer (I've read his handicap is as low as a 4 and as high as an 8). I could hardly believe he was so up close and personal, as his music had recently and unintentionally found its way into my playlist. He looked at me and said "have we met before?" I was so caught off guard, I didn't say much. If I were to press rewind, I would have told Rucker how much I love his music and in particular his voice. It is so pure. That is the word I use over and over to describe his voice.

Well, if I see him this year, I will let him know he is a big reason, pure became my one word theme for 2022.

Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Kraft of The Happiness Project taught me about the power of a one word theme. On their blog, Rubin has written,

At the beginning of a new year, many of us look for ways to make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative in the months ahead.

I love these kinds of exercises, so for 2022, I: made new year’s resolutions, joined the yearly challenge—this year, to “#Outisde23in23,” and made a “23 for 2023″ list

There’s another kind of exercise I love: identifying one idea, summarized in just one word or phase, as the overarching theme for the coming year. choose one word, or a short phrase, to sum up what we want to focus on for the new year. When we distill our aims into a single word or phrase, it’s easier to remember it — and to take action.

Though a loyal listener, I had never chosen a one-word theme. However, when I found myself saying the word "pure" more and more, I thought maybe I ought to do something with it. 

My missed opportunity at the AT&T led me to stay at talk to John Angotti, a talented liturgical musician who came to Saint Francis High School to sing and teach music students. A long time fan, I love his voice because it's so pure—unadulterated, unfiltered. Its sound is powerful—so potent. It's pure.

After class, I made a point of telling  John how much I love his voice. "It's so pure," I said, with both gusto and conviction. I mentioned "as a music fan, I love singer songwriters and in particular I am drawn to a pure voice, similar to those of Darius Rucker, Ronnie Milsap, Wynonna Judd and yours." He nodded in understanding. He said, "My ex-brother in law was in the band Hootie and the Blowfish. "Hold My Hand" inspired "I Send You Out (Mission of Love)." And then he sang  the opening lines of both songs...."With a little love, and some tenderness... pause to speak: That paved the way to I send you out, on a Mission of Love." I nearly lost it. AMAZING!!! Pure and more pure. I had my word; I was all in.

In my prayer life, I began to reflect upon  the purity of God's love. God's love for us is beautiful. It's powerful It's true. It's pure.

I came to realize what I sought in the game of golf was to hit my irons pure. There is no better feeling. The outcome or result of my shot was of less consequence if I hit the ball pure. (It still matters, don't get me wrong!)

I was not seeking approval or affirmation for my word of the year. However, when I read the meaning of my mother's maiden name, I knew I made a choice that will stay with me in 2023.

I went on a two week golf trip to Ireland with 13 other women. We all made many purchases and among my favorites is a keychain for my mom of her family crest and the meaning behind her name. The back side of it said "A personal name meaning bright or pure." My word for 2022—pure— is part of my family lineage.

The Happier Project offers a list of words that you might consider for your one word theme. They included examples they have used in the past and why they are using their words today. While I did give it a glance, I prefer to let the word come to me. My sense is there is a word that is circling in the atmosphere for you to catch and capture. What is looming in your latitude?

For me the word for 2023 is fit. Who doesn't want to be more fit in the year ahead. I know I do. I think I will feel better if I am a little more fit. I enjoy going to the gym and I always feel more energized when I do—both personally and physically. This morning, I got my body fat measured. #fun. Therefore, 2023 is a year to get fit.

2023 is also a year for me to reclaim its power. I have been told "it's not a fit" personally and professionally. Fair enough....but I'm here to figure out how I can make it fit, or at least try to to do that. 

I'm excited to see other ways that being "fit," making things "fit" and a good "fit" will emerge in the year ahead. 

What is your word or phrase for 2023? What word or phrase can you use to serve and guide you in the days to come? Are you looking for one? Or will you let it come to you? Let me know what sticks...and fits. Happy 2023!

And one more good song...Pure Love by Ronnie Milsap

Photo Credits
Fit
Hootie

Jordan Spieth: One Gutsy Move and the Importance of Language

I can still recall which words were not permissible in the Stricherz house. Cussing and swearing was not tolerated, nor was taking the Lord's name in vain. I am glad I grew up in a home that paid attention to language and the power of words. This family value required self control, reflection and intention behind what we said and why we said it. I hope this gives a slice of context for how I describe what Jordan Spieth did on Saturday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Standing on the edge of a cliff, Spieth made a par save by adhering to Rule 9: "play the ball as it lies." Since the area where Spieth's ball was a lateral hazard, he could have used the rules of golf to gain a better lie (with a one stroke penalty), Spieth went for it, keeping fans, his wife and family on the edge of our seats.

I call it gutsy. Others call it ballsy. KNBR's Brian Murphy recalled the shot by proclaiming that "Spieth has cajones." He has used that word before and will use it again. It doesn't sit well with me. Here's why.

It isn't uncommon these days to describe a risky move or daring play with a reference to cajones or huevos. However, that is an association I have never made of myself or the young women I coach. I would never say "big huevos!" In my role as Assistant Athletic Director, I would not tell a male athlete I supervise that I am impressed by his cajones. It's almost uncomfortable to write that out! 

I understand many people link aggression to testosterone—which both men and women have, to varying degrees. However, according to the University of Michigan's study on Anger, Hostility and Violent behavior, aggression is more than that. It is a product of adrenaline and other hormones that are released into the bloodstream. "Then your blood pressure goes up, your heart beats faster, and you breathe faster." Cajones and Huevos are not mentioned.

To this day, I pay careful attention to the vernacular of those around me. I can't say I never swear—sometimes, it's appropriate, even necessary. But I also think it can be overused and inappropriate (I wish Springsteen had used half the number of F bombs in "Springsteen on Broadway"). I am mindful of the slang I use. Balls, cajones and huevos are three examples that do not resonate with me. Are they inappropriate? Not entirely. Are there better choices? I think so.

I describe the athletes I watch and coach as "tough." and I like it when athletes play that way. I speak often of the physicality involved in a game. I love an athlete who has pluck. I would say they have guts or chutzpah.

I think we are always invited to think about the words we use. This is why we should read, especially the great authors. Their use of language is magnificent.

Whenever I am asked what is my dream job, my response is a sports announcer. I would love to do what Hannah Storm does. My dream would afford me the opportunity to put into practice what I value—the usage of words and language to describe and celebrate all that happens on the court and off. In the meantime, I will keep talking and writing about gutsy plays and big accomplishments.

Jordan Spieth and his caddy Michael Greller embrace after that save.
Always love seeing them in Monterey

Photo Credits:
Cliffside and Hug