Eastwood's Team Chips past Murray's Squad in 3M Celebrity Challenge

This article was originally published by the Monterey County Weekly.

Wednesday afternoon saw a break in the stormy weather as clouds parted and the sun shone brightly on the 1st through 3rd, 17th, and 18th holes at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The 3M Celebrity Challenge—more entertainingly known as the Eastwood-Murray Cup—teed off sharply at 11 am as temperatures hovered in the mid-50s. Captained by Clint Eastwood (joined by Clay Walker, Andy Garcia and Colt Ford) and Bill Murray (joined by Ray Romano, Larry the Cable Guy and Alfonso Ribeiro), these two teams marched over muddy fairways in a best-ball charity tournament.

Murray stopped to pose for photos with adoring fans.

Spectators, sipping beers and cocktails through paper straws, followed the gaggle of celebrities— heavily represented by comedians—who provided color commentary as the match progressed.

Emcee Tom Gross described Larry the Cable Guy’s attempts to save a shot with lighthearted jest: “like the aggravating babble of a used car salesman, there’s something grating about the way Larry the Cable Guy hits out of the rough.”

Bill Murray hits his approach shot on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.

Murray made numerous cracks about his teammates. When asked whether he intended to leave a putt four feet short on the third green or whether he muffed it, his response was that he wanted to leave it within teammate Ribeiro’s range.

But Murray was also supportive of Team Eastwood.

As Andy Garcia lined up an approach shot on the 18th hole, the crowd fell silent. Murray, ever the showman, threw his arms in the air and implored the spectators to give it up for Garcia.

“He’s from Cuba, let’s hear it for him! It’s America’s 51st state,” prompting laughter and raucous cheers.

The event, in its fifth year, was a tiebreaker of sorts. Both Team Eastwood and Team Murray came into the match with two victories, elevating the stakes for this year’s charity tournament.

Scorecards from Team Eastwood and Team Murray.

As Clay Walker putted for a six on the 18th green, Gross, the emcee, pointed out that Eastwood was staring Murray down.

“Yeah, I see him,” responded Murray. “Do you feel lucky, Clint?”

While the two teams tied in regulation, Walker landed a chip shot within two feet of the hole—giving Team Eastwood the victory in the overtime chip-off.

Eastwood thanked the crowd and said it was an honor to play with so many nice people, while Murray said that “we’re all winners, especially the kids. At least that’s what my notes say.”

It seems like Team Eastwood did get lucky, after all.