[6] Founded in 1937, the first National Pro-Am Golf Championship was hosted by entertainer Bing Crosby and Larry Crosby in southern California at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in San Diego County, the event's location prior to World War II.

After 1990, private Cypress Point was dropped by the PGA Tour because it would not admit an African-American member,[17] and was replaced by Poppy Hills in 1991,[18][19] which hosted through 2009.

Poppy Hills was not well received by the players,[18][19] primarily due to poor drainage, and MPCC returned to the rotation in 2010. Notable professionals in recent years have included Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Mark O'Meara, Davis Love III, Jordan Spieth, and Vijay Singh.

Notable celebrities have included fan favorite Bill Murray, Glenn Frey, Kevin Costner, Steve Young, George Lopez, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Kenny G, Justin Timberlake, Ray Romano, Clay Walker, and Carson Daly.

Jim Backus, best known as the voice of Mr. Magoo and as Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island, made the 36-hole pro-am cut in 1964.

On the final day, those professionals and pro-am teams making the 54-hole cut played on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The local Pebble Beach tournament officials organized the pairing of professionals with amateurs, while the PGA Tour managed the assignment of the pros' tee times.

In addition, the schedule also made it difficult for players to compete in the event as it was usually the same week as the Saudi International, which also featured a strong field (mainly catered for by large appearance fees).