PEBBLE BEACH >> We have had a year to digest the dramatic changes to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, one of golf’s premier events over the past eight decades.

I get it. The celebrities had always been the pitch to lure thousands of casual golf fans out to one of the most pristine golf courses in the world, providing the local economy with a boost.

It’s what Bing Crosby envisioned when the Pro-Am was known as the Crosby Clambake.

Stargazers flocked to Pebble Beach to see their favorite actor, comedian, musician or sports hero from another sport struggle to sink a simple putt.

No one cared. It was part of the excitement. Even the word “fore” was often echoed with laughter in the gallery.

Change, however, is inevitable with life. When the tournament was asked to become one of the PGA Tour’s signature events in 2024, it couldn’t say no. Yet, it came with a price.

Celebrities, the primary reason for the popularity of the tournament over the years, were being phased out. Not completely, but significantly.

While it remains a Pro-Am and will for the foreseeable future, there were a just handful of celebrities gracing the greens of Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill Thursday and Friday, along with amateurs from the business world.

You do not need to canvas 18 holes to realize the format has changed the dynamics of the event — although not necessarily in a bad way when looking at the big picture.

Being a signature event has brought the 80 best PGA golfers in the world to our area for four days at Pebble Beach, fulfilling golf purists’ dreams.

All you had to do was listen to find out where Scottie Scheffler was, as the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer made his season debut with a contingent of followers.

Still, for all the excitement of seeing a player sink a putt, or on Thursday Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry record aces, it’s still taking some time for the traditionalist to get used to the new look Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

While there were a handful of celebrities like country music star Eric Church and Lakers’ icon Pau Gasol playing this week, most of the names among the 80 amateurs weren’t familiar to fans.

There was once great anticipation leading up to the event about who was coming.

“That’s our history and tradition,” said Steve John, the CEO for the Pebble Beach Foundation and Monterey Peninsula Foundation. “Bing brought that and Clint Eastwood kept it going. The thought was to raise money to help the economy. We have stayed true to that.”

And that includes bringing in celebrities for the tournament. It’s just been pared down to a few names, mostly retired players from other sports — and just on Thursday and Friday.

You’re still getting magical moments. Watching Church mingle with the gallery, provide a hang-loose hand sign to fans after nailing a putt was a reminder of the past. So was Gasol and his 7-foot frame leaning over to take selfies with spectators.

Seeing former 49ers quarterback and ESPN analyst Alex Smith on the side of the road near the No. 2 hole searching for his ball from an errant shot as shuttles drove by was somewhat amusing.

The seriousness of a celebrity participating can’t equate to the pro golfer eyeing a $20,000,000 purse. I think we all understand that, although all those zeros make me dizzy.

However, these celebrities and amateurs are part of the reason this tournament can generate well over $18 million annually to charities on the Monterey Peninsula.

That’s understood, which is why a portion of the tournament still includes names that fans will flock to watch. Just a limited number.

Are there things we miss? Absolutely. Club 15 was the highlight on Saturdays, with 500 to 700 people hovering around the 15th hole at Pebble Beach, turning it into a stadium-type gathering.

They were loud when the celebrities arrived, respectful when the pros teed off. It brought life and flavor to a sport that is known for its peace and tranquility.

When you look at the history of the tournament, walk into any restaurant on the wharf or in Carmel and you’ll likely see signed photos of a celebrity pictured with the owner.

Yet, the truth of the matter is the ‘A’ list of celebrities over the past few years had dwindled. Some of the same names were getting stale. Not enough new fresh faces were appearing. Maybe it needed to be pared down to heighten interest.

Being a signature event means this tournament is one of the top eight on the tour. Golfers are no longer bypassing Pebble Beach. Judging by tickets sales, fans are realizing that.

Of course, change is challenging. Will it sour the casual fan from coming back? It’s still open for debate. Fans have been coming for years — not for the golf — but for a glimpse at a Hollywood Walk of Fame star or a Hall of Fame athlete.

The names that creep into my head when I think about four decades of covering the Pro-Am are celebrities I got to write about such as Ozzie Smith, Alice Cooper, Tony Romo, Josh Allen, Julius Irving, Wayne Gretzky, Buster Posey and Donald Trump.

Rubbing elbows with an Emmy award-winning actor, a country music star, or on this day a Hall of Fame basketball player, left fans with a memory of a lifetime.

The Pro-Am is still part of the tournament, just scaled back. Perhaps down the road, the field can be increased to — I don’t know — one celebrity per hole? Just a thought.

What was noticeable over the first two days is you don’t see a particular gallery crowding just one hole, or a swarm of fans following one individual, although Scheffler and defending champion Wyndham Clark were drawing cards among PGA fans.

With so many talented and world renown golfers, it’s like going to an NBA all-star game and witnessing the best players on the planet … Only this tournament counts.

The stakes are higher. The competition is real. It’s not just the money. It’s about the points. And there are only eight of these events on the entire circuit.

Sure, it takes a little getting used to if you’re a celebrity hound. Perhaps you have to walk a little more to find soccer legend Mia Hamm, 49er icon Steve Young, or Pat Monahan, the lead singer for Train.

The fact, though, that the tournament is among a select few events that allows celebrities to play with the game’s best golfers for two rounds is a testament and understanding of the importance of keeping a tradition alive.