Play was just suspended at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but you would never know it if you were with Joel Dahmen and Ben Rector.
Usually, weather delays are a disappointing affair, but with the celebrities and setting at Pebble Beach, a pro-am delay underscores why the event is so fun.
And Dahem and Rector are the perfect pairing to show you why.
As the delay dragged on, CBS’s coverage pivoted to interviewer Amanda Renner with the World No. 89 Dahmen and his celebrity partner singer/songwriter Ben Rector.
Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrity handicaps: The stars playing in 2023
The pair were dressed, head-to-toe, in the exact same outfits (minus Rector opting for a white beanie in the raw conditions) down to the sponsors’ logos on Rector’s sweater and hat.
“My thing is, do the Yankees wear the same clothes? Yes,” Rector told Renner with Dahmen cracking a smile next to him. “Did the Bulls wear the same clothes? Yes. This is a team event. And I just feel like we came here as a team to win.”
This is the second year playing in the Pro-Am for Rector, but the first time with Dahmen, who said the pair have become closer over the last year and the matching “uniforms” were Rector’s idea.
The two have also been among the most active on social media this week, prompting Renner to say she’s constantly been refreshing Instagram to see their daily videos.
Despite the delay, the “A Team,” as they’ve been calling themselves this week, is still living it up for the week.
“That’s what actually makes it great,” Dahmen said. “[Rector’s] caddie is a ton of fun as well. [Dahmen’s caddie] Geno [Bonnalie]’s adds nicely to this and we’re hanging out with Kevin Kisner and Charles Kelley, so it’s pretty hard to have fun with those guys as well. But we’re just having a blast. Golf has been so-so, but we’re going to finish strong here.”
We’re assuming Dahmen was sarcastic about playing with Kisner and musician Charles Kelley for the first three rounds because while Dahmen and Rector are way off the pace, 12 back as play was called for the day Saturday, their moods were still light during the delay.
7-footer Pau Gasol’s next chapter? Mastering golf (and finding clubs that fit)
Renner asked Dahmen what impressed him most about Rector’s game.
“His ability to hit the driver poorly when I want him to hit the driver, it’s amazing.” Dahmen joked of the 4-handicap. “Every time he lays up in hybrid, I don’t want him [to]. I tell him to hit driver, he hits it terribly. Every time he wants to hit driver himself, he pumps it way down there. He hit it 370 today on the 14th. Pretty impressive stuff.”
Rector offered a passionate defense, arguing it was a difference in philosophy of how to play the game.
“He goes for it a lot,” Rector said. “He is always trying to get me in trouble. I’m like, I’m going to hit hybrid. He’s like, ‘Bomb a driver!’ And I hit it terrible. He’s such a great player. And even better human. Couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
Play was eventually called for the day Saturday shortly before 3 p.m. PST and the pro-am portion will be shortened to 54 holes, but that won’t take away from the fun the two look like they’re having this week.
Dahmen and Rector are far from the only team having fun this weekend, but they’re sure looking like a pair that will do it for years to come at this event.