Marion Hollins developed/founded three world class golf properties during the 1920’s and early 1930’s.
(1924) Women’s National Golf and Tennis Club (Glen Head, Long Island):
At the age of 32, Marion founded and developed the first all-women’s private golf and tennis club in the world. Utilizing her social graces as well as her father’s connections to the aristocracy of New York City and surrounding communities, Marion secured the funding (financed completely by women) and drove membership to launch and sustain the entity. In addition, Marion had influence on the design of Women’s National, having previously studied the classic courses in Britain. While in Britain, she was introduced to the legendary golf professional Ernest Jones, who became the head professional at Women’s National and Pasatiempo. The club prospered and retained its all-female status until the Great Depression, subsequently merging with Creek Club, which is now Glen Head Country Club.
Facts:
- Men were only permitted on the grounds as guests.
- In the 1930’s, Women’s National’s initiation fees and dues were three times and twice the cost of Augusta National’s initiation fees and dues. Augusta National (founded in 1933) declared bankruptcy in 1935.
Design Team: Devereux Emmet, Seth Raynor, Charles Blair MacDonald and Marion Hollins
(1927) Cypress Point Golf Club (Pebble Beach, California):
In the mid-1920’s, Samuel Finley Brown (S.F.B.) Morse, manager and then owner of the Del Monte Properties, had a vision to develop the Monterey Peninsula into a multi-course family resort for the rich and famous from Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 1923, Morse hired Hollins as the Pebble Beach Resort Athletic Director. In addition to her traditional responsibilities, she once again leveraged her relationships to connect the east coast “deep pockets” to this newly developing western paradise.
During her time as Athletic Director, Hollins identified a 150-acre coastal tract due north of Pebble Beach with the idea of building a world-class exclusive private club for the economic giants of the times. Hollins secured an option on the land from Morse and after the sale of one-hundred memberships, satisfied the option.
Hollins hired American architect (a novelty in the 1920’s) Seth Raynor to design Cypress Point with a budget of $150,000. In the midst of the design, Raynor passed away of pneumonia.
Facts:
- Raynor was part of the design team for Women’s National Golf & Tennis Club.
- Raynor designed over one-hundred courses in a twenty-year period.
- Raynor did not play golf.
- Through a mutual relationship, Hollins was introduced to Alister MacKenzie who, along with guidance from Hollins, completed the design/build of this magnificent property.
Design Team: Alister MacKenzie, Seth Raynor, Marion Hollins
(1929) Pastiempo (Passing Time) Golf Club:
Not one to rest on her laurels, Hollins (recently wealthy in her own right from an oil investment), continued her development activities, locating and purchasing a 570-acre tract in Santa Cruz, California. The concept was to develop an inclusive community (real estate, schools, hotels, golf, marina) catering to Hollywood moguls and east coast socialites. Hollins, once again, commissioned Alister MacKenzie to design the course. MacKenzie stated that the Pastiempo property was the closest thing to St. Andrews he had ever seen.
Pastiempo opened to rave reviews, however the stock market crash was only weeks away. Hollins, the eternal optimist (having experienced economic downturns), believed the crash was to be short lived, continued to invest in the property, ultimately losing the entirety of her $2.5MM fortune.
Facts:
- Hollins was a personal friend of Bobby Jones. Jones love affair with Cypress Point and his admiration of Pastiempo inspired Augusta National.
- Hollins introduced Alister MacKenzie (designer of Augusta National) to Bobby Jones.
Design Team: Alister Mackenzie, Marion Hollins
Marion Hollins never recovered from her economic misfortunes. Adding insult to actual injury, Hollins was in a serious car crash (struck by a drunk driver) in December of 1937. Marion had numerous complications, from the crash, that lasted for years.
Hollins vowed to play again and so she did! She won her 8th Pebble Beach Championship in 1942 at the age of forty-nine. In addition, during the same year, she beat the reigning US Women’s Amateur Champion (Melissa Hicks) in an eighteen hole match.
Marion passed away on August 28, 1944 at the age of fifty-one.
Facts:
- MacKenzie believed so strongly in Hollins design capabilities he suggested sending Hollins to Augusta National for the initial site visit. The visit was rejected by Clifford Roberts (see Bad Golf Guy’s posts on Clifford Roberts…“Designated Bastard”).
- MacKenzie on Hollins; “I do not know any man with sounder ideas.”
This really was some dame!
For more information on Marion Hollins, please read Champion in a Man’s World by David Outerbridge.
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John Sokolowski says
Another great story about the history of Golf in America.
joenoll says
This was a really great 2 part article. this is some very interesting information about an amazing lady.
joenoll says
I just played Pasatiempo Golf Club today. Wow what a gem. The greens are great but not a flat spot so pick your spots.