Feb. 6, 2008 -- Few locations, golf related or otherwise, can stir the soul like Pebble Beach Golf Club on the Monterey Peninsula. The famed layout is a favorite destination of golfers and non-golfers who feel a calling to walk the hallowed grounds. How would you like the responsibility of making sure the visit meets those expectations? PGA.com talked with the man who carries that "burden" with a smile, PGA Head Professional Chuck Dunbar.

PGA.com: Chuck, there are a thousand golf courses on the ocean -- what makes Pebble Beach so special?

This is the view from Chuck Dunbar's office, how's yours look now? (Photo: WireImage.com)

Dunbar: I don't know if there's any one answer, I think it's a compilation of a lot of reasons. Certainly, the history and tradition of our course plays a large part. Pebble Beach Golf Links isn't just a golf course or a resort, it's an experience. There is definitely a mystique here, one that we cherish and cultivate. Think of any golfer, even the Tour Pros who consistently play the best golf courses in the world. Outside of a major, don't you think they'd all love to get their first win, or tenth win, or have their name associated with Pebble Beach? It's history, it's the legacy of the game. You know, Arnold Palmer never won here, but he loves this place so much, he bought it. I think that's a real testament to this course and its place in the golf world. And of course, If you can't beat 'em, own 'em. [laughter]

PGA.com: Okay, let's talk about how exceptional Pebble Beach is by pointing out how it is the exception to one of the biggest complaints about golf. When I come out to Pebble Beach, I know I'm going to pay a handsome price, have potentially volatile weather, and probably be behind a group that stops to take a few pictures every hole. But everybody that goes out there says it's a once in a lifetime experience and worth every penny and then some. Can you explain?

Dunbar: That's a very good point, but I want to talk about the premise first. Yes, playing Pebble Beach can be pricey, and I regret that the price may make it cost prohibitive for some golfers. But if you look at basic economics, people are finding value for their money. For most of the year, we require a two-night stay at the Inn which costs more than the greens fee, and we have raised prices some over the last few years, but our rounds per year keep going up and up. We consistently do over 60,000 rounds of golf a year, there's not too many courses that can say that. I often tell people, you can't take your company softball team and just decide to go play at Wrigley Field. You can't just decide you want to go play golf at Augusta National. But you can decide that you want to play Pebble Beach, and make that a reality.

I stated earlier that coming to Pebble Beach was an experience, and we worked very hard to make it a special one. I honestly think the reputation for long rounds of golf here is a bit unfair, though it is an issue that we address and work hard on managing. People associate long rounds here because on television, they hear that rounds here for the AT&T Pebble Beach are long. But that's a totally different type of game. Yes, we have all levels of golfers, some who may only play once a year or once ever because they are at Pebble Beach, but our average round of golf take about four and a half hours. That can vary depending on time of day and seasonally, but that's not really out of line.

There is a balance that we have to find, and it does have our constant attention. People who play here are paying a lot of money and deserve to have their time respected on the course. On the other hand, the group or groups behind them also paid the same amount and deserve to have their time respected as well. So one of the things that we pay particularly attention to is the flow of the rounds. If you were to spend five hours on a golf course, but it's five fun hours with no real stoppage, you will remember a very good time. If your round takes four and a half hours, but twice you had to wait ten minutes between shots because of a back up, you're going to remember a long day. So yes, we are aware of people's time on the course. We are never aggressive, our visitors are too important to have that mindset, but we do what we can to encourage an enjoyable round that is respectful of the other people on the course.

And finally, the weather. People tend to remember the bad weather easier than the good ones. Our weather is typically outstanding, we couldn't have the incredible golf course, the condition that it is in, etc. without great growing weather. That and the incredible efforts of our maintenance staff. But people remember a couple of times ten years ago that they saw the weather affect play and think that it's always this way here. I have friends that live on the East Coast that talk about how great their climate is because they go through four seasons and all of that. My response is, if you get it right the first time, you only need one. And here on the Monterey Peninsula, we got it right.

PGA.com: Good points. Now let's talk about this week. Of all the great golf tournaments Pebble Beach has hosted, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am has to be the one with the longest title, right?

Dunbar: Yeah, I guess it is. [laughter] You know it's a long title when people around here still call it the Crosby, which hasn't been the name in twenty years.

PGA.com: Tell me about the unique atmosphere surrounding the tournament, the celebrities and what they bring, and how your staff deals with such a high profile event.

Dunbar: Our staff is responsible for the range, the pro shop, things like that. The backbone of this tournament is the 2000 volunteers, many of whom have been involved with this tournament for years and years and year, who really make this very large operation go as incredibly smooth as it does. And as far as the atmosphere goes, it's just such an event, not just a golf tournament, but a real entertaining time for all kinds of people. I'll give you an example, my wife comes down here every day during the tournament. And it's pretty much for one reason. She wants to see Andy Garcia. I don't honestly think she cares about who wins the tournament. But if it's Andy Garcia or Kevin Costner coming down the fairway, she's very excited. If I were standing right next to them or in between them, I'm not sure she'd notice me. But I understand that. Sports fans want to see Emmitt Smith or Oscar De La Hoya. Phil Mickelson won here last year. Tiger Woods has won here. It is unique and special, not just for golf but for all of sports.

Many people don't know this but this tournament has more pros playing than any other, 180. And it's also a chance for them to play in a competitive setting with some of the great corporate personalities. You never know what type of relationship that might mean down the line. On a very secondary but still important level, that's big for us as a golf course and resort. Whether it's one of the amateur players or even one of the spectators, a positive experience here might mean they decide to host their next corporate outing or retreat or conference with us. So yes, the high profile of the week is very understood by everyone, and we make sure that the level of service we always provide is consistently exceptional throughout the week.

PGA.com: Last year, you were part of the PGA Professionals team that beat a bunch of know-it-all golf writers in the FedExCup Pick's Challenge. Where does that rank in your career achievements?

Dunbar: Well, I'm looking at the trophy right now. I think that says a lot about where it ranks. I look at the trophy all the time. [laughter (though the interviewer doesn't think it's THAT funny.)]

PGA.com: Despite being a sore winner, I bet you get introduced a lot as "one of my best friends." As in this is Chuck Dunbar, head professional of Pebble Beach and one of my best friends. I drop your name all the time by the way.

Dunbar: Well, I suppose that can happen. But when I meet people, I often ask if they spend any time online. Then I mention that I'm friends with John Kim and PGA.com.

PGA.com: Ha, that's not going to get you very far. Finally, you know that when I mentioned me coming out to Pebble Beach and paying a handsome price...that was a joke, right?

Dunbar: We'd love to see you out here, but it might be rough for you to keep losing to me at more than the Pick's Contest.