Ian Andrew, a Golf Course Architect residing in Ontario, Canada, just finished up a long exploration of design ideas, holes, strategic concepts, architects and architectural history at his blog about golf course architecture. The series ended with a countdown of his choices for the greatest architects of all time. Only two living architects make his list. I was particularly pleased with his top choice, Alister Mackenzie, the renowned designer of Cypress Point, Royal Melbourne, Augusta National, Pasatiempo, and remodelling work at Pebble Beach and St. Andrew's Old Course.


Alister MacKenzie's 15th at Cypress Point by rebjr

Alister MacKenzie was a doctor in Scotland before giving up his medical practice to become a golf course architect. The monumental change in direction came about when he suggested to the old men hanging around his office, "why don't you go out and play some golf." And although they had been complaining about an endless number of ailments, once they started playing golf, they never came back. With that, Dr. MacKenzie figured he could do more for the world by designing golf courses than by being a doctor.

Ian Andrew shares that, "MacKenzie could do it all. His work has so much variety from the strategies to the artistry that he almost defies description as an architect. His routings featured holes that very few would dare try, he almost seemed to revel in the oddest bits of land and there possibilities for holes. Every part of his designs pushed the envelope from the wildly contoured greens through to spectacular bold bunkering that framed his strategies. MacKenzie loved to present multiple options from hole routes to approach styles, leaving the player often to choose where they cam in from and what style of approach to hit. He generally presented the player with choices but occasionally pushed the player to hit one great dramatic shot too. Only a handful of architects have been able to create bunkers that blur the line between strategy and art and the greatest of all was Alister MacKenzie. He was able to combine artistic flair, with scale, a little intimidation, a tremendous amount of strategy and the greatest blending of grades around bunkers any architect has ever done to build the best bunkers the game has ever seen."


Alister MacKenzie's 2nd at Pasatiempo by rebjr

Although it's only a dream of mine to someday play Cypress Point Club or Augusta National Golf Club, I do have plans to play Pasatiempo Golf Club next month with the Shivas Irons Society!

After being inspired by Ian Andrew to play a Mackenzie course and by Hilton Tudhope to play more courses this summer and play golf in a place where there are like minds, I decided to sign up for the Pasatiempo event. And amazingly, Pasatiempo was Mackenzie's favorite layout and where he made his American home, which still borders the sixth fairway.

I can't wait to play my first course in the Monterey Bay area!

Labels: Alister Mackenzie, Courses, Ian Andrew, Pasatiempo, Shivas Irons Society