PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA | There are simply not enough words in the English language, or in any language, to describe Cypress Point Club. Developed by U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Marion Hollins and designed by legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, Cypress Point is one of the most mystical and exclusive clubs in the world. This September, it’s opening up its metaphorical gates for one of the biggest events in amateur golf: the Walker Cup.
“Being asked to be the Walker Cup captain was the biggest honor of my life and then when you find out it’s at Cypress Point it goes to another level,” said Nathan Smith, captain of the 2025 U.S. Walker Cup team and a three-time Walker Cup player (2009, 2011, 2013).
While the club sporadically hosts collegiate events, Cypress Point has largely been out of the public eye since the early 1990s. It hosted its first and only Walker Cup in 1981, a United States victory. Cypress Point was also part of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rota until 1991, when the PGA Tour replaced it with Poppy Hills for not complying with its anti-discrimination policies by having no non-white members. This has since changed.
“We’ve had some time off. It was time to investigate it again. The purpose is really to share this wonderful place with the rest of the world.”
Peter Barker
About nine years ago, Peter Barker, then the club’s president, initiated contact with the USGA to bring the Walker Cup back to Cypress Point. The now general chairman of the 50th Walker Cup, Barker knew it was time.
“We’ve had some time off,” Barker said. “It was time to investigate it again. The purpose is really to share this wonderful place with the rest of the world.”
Barker has a deep appreciation for the amateur game.
“In my opinion what makes amateur golf special is that it’s pure,” Barker said. “It’s not for the money. It’s for the competition.”
He says his love for the Walker Cup dates back to the 1977 match at Shinnecock Hills. It was a United States blowout that featured American amateur legend Jay Sigel.
“My eyes were opened to what a tremendous event this is,” Barker said.
In his own words, Barker has followed the Walker Cup “religiously” ever since. He recalled reading an article about the 2013 match at the National Golf Links of America. A quote in the story struck him.
“Someone was quoted in the article saying that he never expected that he would be on the grounds of the National Golf Links of America,” Barker said. “The fact that they had a Walker Cup allowed him and his son to experience one of the great amateur golf events of all time by being on the premises.”
The article got Barker thinking.
“That moved me and I strongly felt the Walker Cup should be on these kinds of venues,” Barker said.
It was time to bring the Walker Cup back to Cypress Point. It started with Barker inviting then USGA CEO Mike Davis to the club. On the first hole, Barker asked Davis to think about where Cypress Point could fit into future Walker Cup plans. But there was a key condition.
“The predicate is that there has to be no change to the course,” Barker said. “If the course is not acceptable as is, we really don’t have anything to talk about.”
By the 10th hole, Davis agreed. There would be no lengthening the just-over 6,600-yard course. The gusting winds, well-placed bunkers and undulating greens mean precision is paramount and distance won’t always be rewarded. The USGA would help with rough length, pin locations and mow lines.
Since the deal was made, the only changes to the course have been restorative. In the locker room, there are photos of the course from the 1930s. Sometimes a member will see something in a photo missing from the present course. For example, on the 13th hole there was originally an island in one of the bunkers that had been removed. It’s back now.
“What you’re going to see is a 1928 Golden Age course in as original condition as we could possibly get it,” Barker said.
And just like their captain Smith, the United States players can hardly wait until September. Michael La Sasso, who along with Jackson Koivun and Ben James earned berths on the team as the top Americans in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of June 18, said in May that this would be a dream come true.
“It would be incredible to go play in the Walker Cup at Cypress Point,” La Sasso said. “That would be something unbelievable to be able to say I did in my amateur career.”
Ethan Fang, who won the Amateur Championship last month at Royal St. George’s and is virtually a lock for the Walker Cup team, has similar thoughts.
“Playing for the flag at Cypress Point is going to be pretty sick,” Fang said. “It’s Cypress Point. It doesn’t disappoint.”
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Top: The 16th hole at Cypress Point.
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