Marion Hollins always went for broke – in sports, golf course development, business and in life. In designing the iconic 16th of Cypress Point Club, she wanted to give golfers the most thrilling shot in golf ’s golden age. Architects Seth Raynor and Alister MacKenzie objected, but she prevailed. And now, all these years later, she is finally receiving acclaim from the golf world.
It might be argued that as an architect, developer of the first golf planned unit community, a competitive golfer and investor, Marion Hollins was among the most influential sportswomen of the 20th Century. Yet outside of golf, few know of her accomplishments.
In 1915, when Miss Marion of East Islip, N.Y., first came to the Monterey Peninsula, there was the Hotel Del Monte with its golf course, polo fields and equestrian trails. She was interested in the horse events, but the runner-up in the 1913 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and eventual winner of the 1921 edition (5 and 4 over Alexa Stirling) returned in 1922 to work for Samuel F.B. Morse, the Del Monte Properties Co. President, as athletic director and in real estate sales.
