I recently completed Mark Frost’s classic The Match. A beautifully constructed tale (with countless historical references) chronicling an eighteen-hole match, played at Cypress Point in 1956, between professionals Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson and amateurs Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward. A must read for anyone interested in the history of golf.
On page 173, Frost references Marion Hollins, the 1921 US Women’s Amateur Champion and the founder of Cypress Point, commonly referred to as the “Sistine Chapel” of golf. I became fascinated with the notion of a woman founder in the 1920’s and decided to research the curious, inspirational and ultimately sad story of Marion Hollins. Marion was born December 2, 1892 in East Islip, Long Island to Harry (owner of a Wall Street brokerage firm) and Evalina Hollins. Additionally, she had four older male siblings. Marion found golf at an early age, took private lessons and was an accomplished player by the age of ten.
Fact:
Harry Hollins commissioned Willie Dunn, Jr. (designer of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, site of the 2018 US Open Championship) to build a three-hole course on the Hollins 600-acre estate.
Golf Resume:
- (1905): Competed in the US Women’s Amateur Championship at the age of 14
- (1912): Runner-Up Metropolitan Golf Association Championship. Marion won three Metropolitan Golf Association Championships during her career
- (1921): US Women’s Amateur Champion, beating three-time defending Champion Alexa Sterling (5/4)
- (1932): US Captain of the inaugural Curtis Cup Team (women’s version of the Ryder Cup). Upset winners over the Britain/Irish team in Wentworth, England
- (1942): Won her eighth Pebble Beach Championship at the age of 49
- (1942): Beat Melissa Hicks (reigning US Amateur Champion/age 21) in an eighteen-hole match at the age of 49.
Marion was also considered the greatest horsewoman of the century, the best female polo player of her time (competing routinely against men) and the first woman to drive a race car in an all-male event.
In addition to Marion’s diverse athletic accomplishments, she was a renowned golf course developer, founding three world class golf properties during the 1920’s and early 1930’s.
Next Week: “Take No Offense…This is Some Dame” (Part Two of Two): Marion, the Developer & Founder
Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy! You can find us on Instagram under the same name…come check it out!
The back nine can only get better!
Leave a Reply