Cypress Point is consistently ranked in the top three courses in the world, and is also one of the most exclusive and difficult to access in the world.
Instead of big fences and gates protecting it from the outside world, there is just a small sign stating "members only" and another telling people to keep out. The force field of anticipation is stronger than any gate.
Once inside the property, you are met by an understated clubhouse, and a warm and friendly staff, led by professional Casey Reamer, and the members were most welcoming. Totally the opposite feel to what many would expect.
I was fortunate to play with Casey today, and he showed myself and Matt around the course giving some great insight. He does happen to be the course record holder, so he can play a little bit!
This is the view of the par four 1st hole, as you approach your drive.
Looking back down the first from the green toward the clubhouse.
The routing of the course is brilliant, and has some interesting quirks that would not get repeated in modern architecture. This is the view from the tee on the par five 2nd hole, a dogleg left that takes you on your journey up into the forest.
The par three 3rd hole, a slightly downhill shot to a well guarded green.
On the par four 4th hole is where we start to see some of MacKenzie's true brilliance. His outstanding bunkering. You can see the many bunkers staring at you as you look from the tee.
None of them are noticeable however as you look back down the fairway from the green.
The early part of the course works it's way up through the forest, and it is on the par five 5th hole, that we again see some MacKenzie magic. You can see the bunkering on the inside of the dogleg on the left.
This is that bunker complex. It then leads to some more magnificent bunkering on the right side of the fairway, guarding the second shot.
And this is the bunkering as you head toward the green. The green has a strong slope from back to front, and when quick, is nearly impossible from above the hole.
The first quirk appears here at the 6th. It is another par five. Back to back with the 5th. These back to backs are repeated a few times. The 8th and 9th are back to back short par fours, and 15 and 16 are back to back par threes.
Again some of the magnificent bunkering on approach to the 6th green.
The view from behind the 6th green, looking up to the green on the 7th.
The par three 7th is another great par three, uphill and surrounded by bunkers and sandy waste areas. It was a strong 7 iron shot today.
From behind the 7th, looking across the 6th, 10th and 11th.
What a stunning view you receive when standing on the 8th tee. This short par four measures only 340 yards. A blind tee shot, to an uphill green hidden behind the dune on the right. Only a 3 wood or long iron, and wedge gets you home. A brilliant short hole. The latter holes along the coast draw a lot of attention for their beauty, but this hole is as stunning as any non coastline hole you will see.
The approach to the 8th green, once you have negotiated the blind tee shot.
From the back of the 8th green, looking back down the fairway, and across the 9th fairway.
The second short par four in a row, the 9th rivals it's preceding hole for beauty. It also requires a lot of thought. A genuine risk / reward hole that can be played many ways. It can be a 6 iron and then a wedge, or driver and a chip. The dunes and bunkers quickly come into play should you decide on the latter option.
If you turn around on the 9th tee, you see this. This is the view across to the 13th green, and then up the 14th fairway.
The view up the 9th green from the right side dunes. My ball may or may not have been near this location.
The par five 10th leads us back up toward the forest, and is the only par five on the inward nine.
The par four 11th then turns us back toward the dunes, showcasing some more fine bunkering.
Not much room here should your drive be longer than expected.
The 11th green complex.
Looking down the par four 12th hole, another great dogleg hole.
Heading toward the 12th green.
At the 12th green looking across to the 13th green.
The view down the par four 13th.
The stunning bunkering surrounding the 13th green, amazingly natural on the dune behind the green.
Hole 14 leads you along the famous 17 mile drive, and toward the coastline. It is a great par four, with an uphill approach to the green.
This is one Cypress tree guarding the inside of the slight dogleg. Well over 200 years old, it has sprawled out in many directions, and is absolutely huge.
Looking back down the fairway from the 14th green.
Having crossed 17 mile drive, you are reminded that you are on private property, and are heading now to three of the most picturesque holes in golf.
This is the par three 15th hole. The first of three ultimate coastline holes, two of which are back to back par threes, and often overshadowed by it's neighbour the 16th. It is a spectacular hole, and Casey's (the head pro) favourite on the course.
You know that the coast is on the right, but it is not until you walk toward the green that you realise what you have just hit over. It plays as an 8 or 9 iron, and is well protected by bunkers.
Another view of the Monterey Bay that we have just hit over.
And now we reach the iconic par three 16th.
Cypress Point was the brainchild of Marion Hollins, who convinced developer Samuel Morse that a private club needed to be located within the area. She contracted Seth Raynor to design the course. Raynor died from pnuemonia prior to commencing any construction, and Hollins subsequently appointed Dr Alister Mackenzie.
This hole, the 16th was originally designed to be a par four, and MacKenzie takes no credit for it's design, nor it being created as a par three.
MacKenzie, in his book The Spirit of St Andrews, states “I must say that, except for minor details in construction, I was in no way responsible for the hole. It was largely due to the vision of Miss Marion Hollins (the founder of Cypress Point). It was suggested to her by the late Seth Raynor that it was a pity the carry over the ocean was too long to enable a hole to be designed on this particular site. Miss Hollins said she did not think it was an impossible carry. She then teed up a ball and drove to the middle of the site for the suggested green.” The par three 16th was born thanks to Marion Hollins.
233 yards from the back tees, it was all of a 2 iron / 3 wood for our group. And that was with no wind. Never have I played a more mentally fearsome tee shot on a par three. Miss it right and you are in the ocean, short, and you are in the ocean, left you are in the ocean.
There is a lay up area short left, and for most, this should be the option. But, most will never be back, and a shot at the green must be taken, even if it is just a practice shot.
I must say, I feel that I was led astray by our host professional here. He hit it just short right, and ended in the ocean, and being a kind visitor, I followed suit. Casey then hit his next one left, and I continued to follow his lead.
The low tide meant that we were both on the beach left of the green, which is still in play. Casey is pictured here playing up to the green, and hits it to 6 feet.
Having been shown how it is done, I proceed to get my shot inside his, leaving me 4 feet for my up and down. Casey and I both rolled in our putts for our pseudo pars. (Mulligans are pretty standard here)
The par four 17th stretches along the coast as well. There is a risk / reward element here as well. Be brave (or stupid) and drive right of the cypress trees and you are left with a short wedge to the green, but the ocean does strongly come into play. The more sensible play is out to the left, which still leaves a short iron to the green.
The plaque here next to the 17th tee reads as follows. "Gentlemen, I suggest that we pause for a moment, admire the beautiful view, count our blessings, very few of us are privileged to pass this way". It is very true.
The narrow, brave piece of fairway to the right of the cypress trees.
Looking back toward the 17th tee and 16th green from behind the 17th green.
Another view from behind 17.
The par four 18th confuses your perception from the tee. You see a sea of cypress trees, and have no idea where to go or what to do. It was only a five iron to the corner, and then an uphill wedge shot to the green near the clubhouse.
A very narrow tee shot visually leaves a narrow approach as well to a green that slopes front to back and right to left. Although short, it is no easy finish.
"I do not expect anyone will ever have the opportunity of constructing another course like Cypress Point, as I do not suppose anywhere in the world is there such a glorious combination of rocky coast, sand dunes, pine woods, and cypress trees." -Alister MacKenzie, 1932
The beaming faces on all of the members as they walked off the course suggests that they all agree with this statement.
After the round we headed back to the Vandeweghe's house in nearby Pebble Beach for a lovely Mexican lunch and some drinks.
A truly special way to end a great tour. Some brilliant golf courses, some tremendous experiences, and more importantly, some great friends gained and relationships formed or strengthened.
Thanks to all of the KH members for coming along, and to all of the professionals, club and committee members at our host clubs for making this happen.
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