November 21, 2017
Pebble Beach Company Celebrates RJ Harper
Pebble Beach Company officials and employees, dignitaries from the golf world and friends and family congregated near the famed 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Tuesday to celebrate the life of longtime Executive Vice President of Golf and Retail at the Pebble Beach Co. RJ Harper. Harper died Nov. 8 after a 14-month fight against pancreatic cancer.
“RJ stood for all things great in this world,” Pebble Beach Co. CEO Bill Perrochi said. “He never had a bad day, and when others did, he lifted their spirits.”
Among the celebratory events was an employee procession led by a bagpiper, performances by country musician stars T. Bone Burnett, George Strait and Clay Walker and a eulogy by CBS broadcaster and friend Jim Nantz. Walker, a very close friend of Harper’s, closed the ceremony with ‘Amazing Grace.”
“There’s been all the historical moments here, and there’s more to come. I’ll never look at the 18th hole the same way again. I now see 18 linked to this celebration of RJ’s life,” Nantz said.
An honorary flag that flew on the 18th green had 18 one side and the No.32 on the other. The 32 represented the years that Harper spent as a Pebble Beach employee. Afterwards, the flag was presented to Harper’s family.
Said Harper in an interview months prior to his passing: “I’ve spent the last 32 years in the greatest place in the world, doing what I love. I’ve had a helluva life.”
-NCGA Staff
