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. Totally the opposite feel to what many would expect.
This is the view as you approach the first green from the left hand side.
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 corner 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.
The view back to the tee from behind the 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 up the fairway.
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. This is the bunkering on the inside of the dogleg on the left, and then the brilliant complexes further down the hole.
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.
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.
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.
Looking across to the 13th green from behind the 8th green.
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 7 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.
Looking back down the 9th fairway, from behind the green.
The par four 11th then turns us back toward the dunes, showcasing some more fine bunkering.
Looking down the par four 12th hole, another great dogleg hole.
Heading toward the 12th green.
The view down the par four 13th.
The stunning bunkering surrounding the 13th green, amazingly natural on the dune behind the green.
Looking back up the 13th hole from 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 Gary Jones prepares to fire his approach.
Jenny Jones, hitting her tee shot to within 5 feet!
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 9 iron, and is well protected by bunkers.
The view back to the tee from behind the green.
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.
Bernard Cassell commencing his attempt.
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. Here we look across the green toward the 17th fairway.
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 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.
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 three iron to the corner, and then an uphill sand iron 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.
What a great way to end a great trip.
Thanks to everyone who participated, and made it such a special time.
