Return to Minnesota Club Marks
People & the land Architect
Architect
Robert Hunter
Robert Hunter worked with Alister MacKenzie on the construction of Cypress Point. The Club’s history describes Hunter Sr. on the site almost daily, bringing experience in course construction to the project. Club president Roger Lapham credited both men with carrying out the commission.2
In the archive 2 Courses at 2 Clubs
Course work
Published course connections in the archive.
- CompletionConstruction of the original Cypress Point course alongside Alister MacKenzie
- Co-design
The work behind MacKenzie’s California courses
There were two Robert Hunters involved. His son, Robert Hunter Jr., headed the American Golf Course Construction Company, which MacKenzie partly owned. The father’s work on the course and the son’s leadership of the company are separate roles in the same construction story.2
At The Valley Club of Montecito, the record is unusually specific. Board minutes of November 21, 1928, called for approval of an agreement with MacKenzie, Hunter and the construction company. A founder reported in July 1929 that the course had been laid out under Hunter and MacKenzie’s direction. It opened on December 30, 1929.1
Sources and record notes4 references
Sources for this history
- The Alister MacKenzie Society: Valley Club, Club-supplied history
The Alister MacKenzie Society
Board meeting of November 21, 1928; founder’s July 1929 report; opening on December 30, 1929.
Consulted 2026-11-06 - Cypress Point Club: Club History
Cypress Point Club
The Architect: Robert Hunter Sr., Robert Hunter Jr. and Roger Lapham’s account.
Consulted 2026-11-06
Architect record sources
- The Alister MacKenzie Society (opens in a new tab)Architect identity · Course design
- Cypress Point Club: Club History (opens in a new tab)Course design