Some of the people, the stories and the lore of the celebrated Pro-Am.

ARIZONA CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVER LARRY FITZGERALD IS A FUTURE NFL HALL OF FAMER. He’s also defending AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am amateur champion, one of 14 celebrities to claim the honor since the event moved to the Peninsula in 1947.

Well… 13, really. Eddie Lowrey, who won paired with legendary pro Byron Nelson in 1955, gained celeb status after the 2005 film The Greatest Game Ever Played – which told the thrilling tale of the 1913 U.S. Open.

Anyway, Fitzgerald returns to defend his crown in fine form. On Jan. 18 at the Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida, he knocked a hole in one on the par-3 13th, dropping an 8-iron tee shot just 8 yards from the pin. Witnesses say it rolled in smoothly the rest of the distance, like a putt.

Fitzgerald was rewarded with a high-five from his playing partner, Barack Obama.

Only one celebrity won the Pro-Am twice since the event moved to Pebble Beach. That was baseball Hall of Famer Lefty O’Doul in 1949 (with Bill Nary) and 1954 (with Walter Burkemo).

South Korean professional Ho-sung Choi is known for his self-taught and rather bizarre swing (his follow-through has been compared to the rotors of a helicopter). When Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers learned Choi had received an exemption to participate in the tournament, he quickly tweeted “Definitely pair him with me and @jerrykelly13pga #bodyleandreamteam.”

Rodgers and pro Jerry Kelly missed the cut last year.

Rodgers is one of three quarterbacks announced early for the 156-strong amateur field. Tony Romo – formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, now a CBS color analyst teamed with Monterey Peninsula resident Jim Nantz in the broadcast booth – returns. And Matt Ryan of the Falcons makes his debut at Pebble Beach.

Quarterbacks have fared particularly well at the Pro-Am. Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino won the amateur side teamed with Dan Pohl in 1988. Jacky Lee, who played for four teams in the old AFL, captured the Pro-Am crown in 1975 alongside Bruce Devlin. And 49ers legend John Brodie topped the leaderboard playing with Bob Rosberg in 1970.

Actor Chris O’Donnell apparently decided to get an early practice round in. On Jan. 14 he was spotted playing at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. And Larry the Cable Guy took part in a January celebrity tournament at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Afterward, he gloated – sort of – about his performance on Twitter: “I’ve been working hard on not sucking and I’m gradually beginning to half suck. Thanks to @pxg for helping me shoot my best round I’ve ever had. Love these clubs. Goal-¼ suck.”

Celebs comprise just a portion of the amateur field. The rest are CEOs who spend a lot of time on golf courses – gotta spend those tax break funds somehow – and others with worthy handicaps. But only one priest has captured the amateur title in the Pro-Am’s history. That was Fr. John Durkin back in 1971, paired up with Lou Graham.

Of course, in 1951 singer Phil Harris – who once announced he was the pro at “Jack Daniels Country Club” and was legendary for closing out local bars after every round – stunned the field (and playing partner Dutch Harrison) sinking a 90-foot tourney-winning putt. He then turned to Bing Crosby and said “Ain’t this a helluva blow to clean living?”

The other celebrities to claim victory at Pebble Beach include:

2017 – Carson Daly (TV host) with Ken Duke

2011 – Bill Murray (actor) with D.A. Points

2001 – Kenny G (musician) with Phil Mickelson

1997 – Andy Garcia (actor) with Paul Stankowski

1991 – Jack Wagner (actor) with John Cook

1987 – George Brett (baseball) with Fred Couples

1954 – Albie Pearson (baseball) with Bob McCallister

One more almost made the list. In 1999, the duo of musician Glenn Frey and pro Craig Stadler – yes, a pairing of an Eagle and The Walrus – finished regulation as part of a three-way tie for the top spot. They fell short in a playoff round.

Cover story

A round of 18 memorable moments from Pebble Beach Pro-Am history.

• David Schmalz