Divine Intervention

I walked through the corridor of cypress trees on the journey to the 16^th hole at Cypress Point. The silhouette of my father ahead with our caddie slowly blended into memories of him struggling both with his game and with his 6-year old son as a young father at a municipal golf course when I was growing up. What was a fresh memory for me of my childhood has now represented a passing of roles as I now assume the responsibility of a young father. I still can smell the aroma of freshly cut grass from the first round of golf I played with my dad at a par 3 course one early morning. I remember the sounds of Wrigley Field and the smile on my father’s face when he scored us 2 tickets behind first base just moments before the game started. I trekked the great courses of Ireland with him in 2007 to be overwhelmed with the friendship and life-changing experiences that the people and links of Ireland provide. And finally, I remember introducing my daughter for the first time to my father just moments after she was born.



These were real moments. Moments that defines one’s lifetime. The game of golf is truly a gift to one’s soul. The proof of a man’s worth on the course is the moment that he finally parts ways with his obsession on score and engages his inner-being towards building a connection towards executing his personal play in accordance with the architect’s intentions, appreciating the natural surroundings, and relishing the captured time with those that he chooses to enjoy a match with. Greater than this ideal, it is only with age and maturity does one grow closer towards appreciating the individuals who shape their lives and truly ascend towards being with them during important moments of one’s lifetime.

This defined my day at Cypress Point Club. The ability to bear witness to Alister MacKenzie’s masterpiece is not only a privilege as a passionate student of the game, but as a son of a great man and life teacher.



During those moments of my walk through the cypress trees towards 16, I felt a sense of peace come over me that offered forgiveness of any sins or regrets I had previously, and offered a fresh start in what will be a new chapter in my life with another daughter on the way to our family in April. The tunnel and the land that lay ahead represented a high mass of celebration to the game of golf and one's soul.

The forced carry over 234 yards of Pacific Ocean captures the innocence of play that all of us had when we were children. The fact that Mary Hollins (visionary of Cypress Point) helped to discover this hole and led MacKenzie to incorporate this into the routing as one of the world’s greatest Par 3’s should never be forgotten. It offers each player the choice of re-capturing one’s youth through a heroic shot or to embrace wisdom by following the path to the left with a wide landing area and a chance to get up and down for a par. I chose the path of recapturing my youth and it rewarded me with the best sot of my day and a par that I shall never forget. Likewise, I joined my father in his celebration of par, albeit through a different approach. Two paths converged upon what was a communion of the golfer’s soul that day.



Much has been written about the architectural merit, unbelievable site, and the understated hue of this great Club. In preparing to write this passage, I come short of details from an architectural standpoint because it has been so widely covered. The raw emotion of walking 18 of the most beautiful golf holes in what is one of the most natural settings in the world is truly magical. Given the chance to walk these links again, I would go to great measures to experience the feeling of crossing the 17-mile drive from the 14^th hole to take in the winding pathway to the Par 3, 15^th. It truly the opportunity to walk within the hallowed grounds of the game and spirit for which golf attracts, teaches, and enriches golfer’s souls.

Amen.

Holes Of Note:
Every single one of them

What is amazing to me is this:
Golf today is defined by yardage, highly visual hazards that are constructed by man, and artificial maintenance conditions. From the member’s tees, a guest will enjoy a bounty of adventure with his game as he and his caddie navigate around 6,300 yards. It’s a testament to MacKenzie’s genius with the routing along with the self-restraint not to manipulate one of God’s finest creations. Representing one of the finest walks I have ever made, I truly can say that Cypress is not only one of the greatest lay-outs, but also one of the most fun routings I have ever enjoyed. In addition, the humble facilities within the pro shop and men’s locker room have been left untouched and clamor with the sounds of powerful men and the inner-spirits of golf. Institutions such as Cypress Point do not need a glitzy introduction to the player. When you arrive to the Club, you understand your place in golf’s kingdom as a spectator and participant.

Cypress Point will enrich your life.