Cypress Point Club, also in Pebble Beach near Carmel, stands as one of the most exclusive and revered golf clubs in the world. This club is synonymous with the very essence of golfing tradition and exclusivity, offering an 18-hole course that weaves through dramatic coastal dunes, dense forests, and rugged coastline, providing a golfing experience that is as challenging as it is awe-inspiring. Membership is highly coveted and offers access to a course that consistently ranks among the top in the world, emphasizing the club's commitment to preserving the purity and tradition of the game.
Monday: 7 AM–6 PM
Tuesday: 7 AM–6 PM
Wednesday: 7 AM–6 PM
Thursday: 7 AM–6 PM
Friday: 7 AM–6 PM
Saturday: 7 AM–6 PM
Sunday: 7 AM–6 PM
Exclusivity and Historical Design: The club is highly exclusive, requiring non-members to receive an invitation from a member to play. It was designed in 1928 by the famed golf course architects Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter. The design is celebrated for blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the California coast, incorporating the coastal dunes and Del Monte forest into its layout. The course transitions from the forest to the dramatic rocky coastline, offering a diverse playing experience.
Signature Holes and Natural Beauty: Cypress Point is best known for its series of dramatic holes along the Pacific Ocean, particularly the 16th hole, which is a 230-yard tee shot over the ocean to a green guarded by strategically placed bunkers. This epitomizes the club's blend of challenge and scenic beauty, often leading to it being described in awe-inspiring terms by those fortunate enough to play there.
PGA Tour History and Social Change: The course was part of the PGA Tour, hosting the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from 1947 through 1990. It was eventually dropped from the tour due to its exclusivity policies, specifically the lack of black members at the time, which led to a significant moment in the club's history as it faced pressure to adhere to anti-discrimination guidelines. The club has since evolved, with notable figures such as Condoleezza Rice becoming members, reflecting changes in its membership policies over time.
Nestled along the majestic Pacific Ocean on the Monterey Peninsula in Pebble Beach, California, Cypress Point Club stands as a testament to golf's most endearing qualities: exclusivity, natural beauty, and a challenging yet rewarding course. This private sanctuary, designed by the legendary golf course architects Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter in 1928, is more than just a golf course—it's a pilgrimage site for the golfing elite, where the game is celebrated in its purest form.
Cypress Point Club embodies exclusivity at its core. Access to this revered 18-hole course is an invitation from a member, making rounds here a rare privilege for the golfing community. The club's history is rich, with its inception rooted in the vision of Byington Ford, Roger D. Lapham, and Marion Hollins, and its course layout a masterpiece of golf course design that harmonizes with the dramatic coastal landscape of California.
The course's design leverages the stunning natural surroundings, transitioning from the coastal dunes to the dense Del Monte forest, and culminating in a breathtaking rocky coastline. Notable among its features is the signature 16th hole, a par-3 that requires a daring 230-yard tee shot over the Pacific Ocean to a green fortified by strategically placed bunkers. This hole, among others, showcases the seamless integration of natural beauty with golfing challenge, a hallmark of MacKenzie and Hunter's design philosophy.
Cypress Point Club's significance extends beyond its design and location; it represents a historical moment in golf's cultural evolution. Once part of the PGA Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rotation until 1990, the club was removed due to its exclusive membership policies. The decision marked a pivotal point in the sport's history, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and anti-discrimination. Over time, the club has evolved, welcoming members who reflect a broader societal change.
