The Good Doctor
Golf Monthly|May 2020
This year sees the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of the greats of golf course architecture. Here, Fergus Bisset considers some of Dr Alister MacKenzie’s best work in the UK and Ireland
Dr Alister MacKenzie
The Good Doctor

A master of the skilful and subtle use of terrain to create wonderfully natural golf holes, Dr Alister MacKenzie is most famous in the golfing world as designer of Augusta National. But the Yorkshire-born Scot was responsible for architectural works at over 300 clubs in the UK, Ireland and across the globe.

One hundred and fifty years since MacKenzie’s birth, we’re taking a look at his life, his design philosophy and some of the courses in the UK and Ireland that he designed or lent his expertise to, starting with his first project for his home club of Alwoodley.

MacKenzie was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire and went to school in the town before going on to study chemistry, medicine and natural science at Cambridge University. Upon graduating, he joined his father’s medical practice, but it wasn’t long before he was called upon to serve in the second Boer War. During his time in the military, MacKenzie learned about reading terrain and the art of camouflage – skills that would play an important part in his later career as a course architect. When MacKenzie returned from southern Africa, he briefly resumed his work as a doctor. But partly because he was convinced of the health benefits golf provided to patients, his career took a very different turn.

“How frequently have I, with great difficulty, persuaded patients who were never off my doorstep to take up golf, and how rarely, if ever, have I seen them in my consulting rooms again,” he said.

In 1907, MacKenzie became a founding member of Alwoodley Golf Club in Leeds. Having already made outline sketches for a course, he was tasked with laying out 18 holes across the moorland.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2020-Ausgabe von Golf Monthly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2020-Ausgabe von Golf Monthly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS GOLF MONTHLYAlle anzeigen
Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?
Golf Monthly

Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?

The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue? Why would anyone even suggest such a drastic course of action? It may sound harsh, but since the inaugural event in 1994, the International team has managed just one victory and one tie while the American team has won 12 times, including nine straight from 2005. It is 26 years since the International team's solitary success in 1998 at Royal Melbourne under the captaincy of the late Peter Thomson.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 2024
Surprise packages
Golf Monthly

Surprise packages

Jeremy Ellwood looks back on some of the more unusual golfing countries he has visited during his 20+ years writing for Golf Monthly

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September 2024
TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Golf Monthly

TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The key to good iron play is finding the right low point in your swing. Here's how to do it...

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly

How to organise the perfect golf day

Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 2024
A LEGEND
Golf Monthly

A LEGEND

Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children

time-read
9 Minuten  |
September 2024
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Golf Monthly

"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"

Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September 2024
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Golf Monthly

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

The Solheim Cup seems to grow in significance and excitement with every staging, and this year's encounter in Virginia promises to be no exception...

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 2024
STOKE PARK
Golf Monthly

STOKE PARK

I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September 2024
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Golf Monthly

PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS

Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 2024
TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club
Golf Monthly

TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club

Adding to an extremely strong 2024 product line-up, TaylorMade has launched its latest irons in the successful P-Series - the P7CB and the P770.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024