Meeting Bill at Pebble Beach as a Kid

We’d like to thank Phoenix for sharing this story.

My story isn’t as exciting or cool as some of the others on this site, but I can say that I had the luck to meet BFM – twice!

I was a kid, about 10-11 years old, participating in the Golf Club at the local Boys & Girls Club (around ’98, I believe). Every year we got the opportunity to help out at the AT&T Pro-Am (held at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, CA). Needless to say, this event was always packed with all sorts of celebrities and moneyed people – a lot of people I didn’t care too much about as a kid. But then there’s Bill Murray.

I remember hearing all of our “care-takers” going on and on about Bill Murray; I just kept thinking, “Where!? Where!?” From the large dining room where we were enjoying our lunches, I could hear him in the distance. So I decided that I was going to get this man’s autograph. I walked over to his table with a ball-cap in my hand and asked if he would sign it.

Without hesitation, he says, “Oh, sure thing, kid!” as he gives me a huge kiss on my cheek. I do believe he was asking me questions but I was so fixated on him I don’t remember what else he may have asked. He signed my hat and handed it; I walked away on clouds! I met him again the next year, same place and event. I went up to him and asked if he remembered me, to which he responded, “Of course I do!” and gave me another kiss on the cheek.

Whether or not he really remembered me, I’ll never know. All of the older women kept telling everyone else about how Bill Murray kissed me on the cheek. The only celebrity encounter that I will truly, never forget! Wish I took a picture.