Jordan Spieth has long mastered the “pro” in pro-am tournaments—he looks, acts, and plays the part of a true professional. It’s only fitting that he’s the first-ever recipient of *The Legacy*, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Award presented by Golf Digest and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. Celebrating AT&T’s 40th year as title sponsor, the tournament remains the PGA Tour’s leading charitable contributor, donating around $18 million annually to local nonprofits and schools.
Spieth’s golf career has been filled with iconic moments. The three-time major winner—claiming the 2015 Masters, 2015 U.S. Open, and 2017 Open Championship—is equally remembered for a daring shot from the cliff’s edge at Pebble Beach during the 2022 AT&T. Country star Jake Owen, Spieth’s longtime pro-am partner, recalled the moment vividly: “His caddie didn’t want him to take the shot, but that’s Jordan—fearless and confident. Kids look up to him because he plays with courage and integrity every time.”
Spieth’s philanthropic efforts mirror his boldness on the course. In 2014, he founded the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, supporting pediatric cancer research, people with special needs, junior golf programs, and military families. He’s also an ambassador for AT&T and works with organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation—furthering his mission to give back through golf.
Owen, who’s played alongside Spieth since 2013, describes their relationship as brotherly. “Jordan’s become family. He’s genuine and professional in every way,” Owen said. “When he gets frustrated on the course, I tell him, ‘Shake it off, dude,’ and he does. That’s what makes him special.”
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has always been more than just golf—it’s about partnerships that last a lifetime. From celebrities and CEOs to pro golfers, these relationships have often led to life-changing opportunities. Legends like Jack Lemmon and Peter Jacobsen teamed up for two decades, while business leaders like Workday’s Aneel Bhusri and Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen have turned on-course connections with pros into corporate sponsorships. “These partnerships can truly change lives,” said Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO Steve John.
For decades, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has been the crown jewel of pro-ams worldwide, followed by the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews and The American Express in California. Its roots trace back to golf’s century-old tradition of giving, beginning with the 1917 American Red Cross Patriotic Open that raised funds during World War I. When Bing Crosby launched his famous “clambake” in 1937—later moving it to Pebble Beach—he sparked a movement of charitable golf events that AT&T has carried forward since 1985, contributing nearly $250 million to community causes.
In honor of this year’s Legacy Award, Golf Digest will donate $50,000 to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation—continuing the spirit of generosity that defines the game. As Spieth’s example shows, in golf, greatness isn’t just measured in trophies—it’s measured in heart.
