Pro-Am brings big money for local businesses

The AT&T Pebble Beach NationalPro-Am isn’t just about golf it’s also about big money.

“It’s always a welcome sight to have the pro-am in town. Us locals really thrive on this in the middle of our winter months when business can be a little scarce sometimes,” restaurant manager Kris Cowdrey said.

Business was anything by scarce Friday night in downtown Monterey. Restaurants were packed, drinks were flowing, and tables were limited.

“As they get done with the tournament at the end of the day they usually come back down to their hotel rooms and need somewhere to have a beer, get a burger, somewhere good to eat,” said Cowdrey.

And restaurants and barsare prepared for the weekend rush.

“We have extra staff, extra bar staff, extra servers extra kitchen staff,” said pub owner Paul Whitecross

Whitecross said the winter months are slow and this one week provides an important economic boost.

“We stock up on pretty much everything down the board because it’s so busy the whole week,” said Whitecross.