Golf Books #25 (The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie)

Considering the fact that he was one of the greatest golf course architects in the history of the game, Dr. Alister MacKenzie has long been something of a puzzle-if not a mystery. He liked to wear kilts, but he wasn’t a Scotsman. He graduated from medical school, but he never made a living at it. He designed spectacular courses, but he was not a good golfer. At the height of his career he was one of the most sought after designers in the world, but he was nearly broke when he died.

“The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie” by Tom Doak, James Scott, and Ray Haddock uses detailed text, four-color photograpy and vintage maps, drawings and pictures to bring together many pieces of the puzzle. Questions about his boyhood, his military service, his many design trips in various parts of the world, what made him so good at his craft, and why his name is rarely mentioned at the second-golf course he ever worked on, are all answered. Golfers, golf historians, and students of golf course architecture will learn a great deal from this interesting biography.

Fact: When MacKenzie designed what would become one of the most famous courses in America, he forgot to include a 9th hole.

Fact: He once wrote that: “I have always wanted to live where one could practice (golf) shots in one’s pajamas before breakfast…”

The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie: A biography on one of golf’s most eccentric, interesting, brilliant, colorful, and sometimes sad characters.

Considering the fact that he was one of the greatest golf course architects in the history of the game, Dr. Alister MacKenzie has long been something of a puzzle—if not a mystery. He liked to wear kilts, but he wasn’t a Scotsman. He graduated from medical school, but he never made a living at it. He designed spectacular courses, but he was not a good golfer. At the height of his career he was one of the most sought after designers in the world, but he was nearly broke when he died.

“The Life and Work of Dr. Lister Mackenzie” by Tom Doak, James S. Scott, and Raymund M. Haddock, uses detailed text, four-color photos and vintage maps, drawings and pictures to bring together many pieces of the puzzle. Questions about his boyhood, his military service, his many design trips in various parts of the world, and what made him so good at his craft, are all answered. Golfers, golf historians, and students of golf course architecture will find this book to be among thir favorite. And why wouldn’t they with Augusta National, Cypress Point, Royal Melbourne, Crystal Downs, Lahinch, and Pasatiempo among his magnificent works?

“The Life and Work of Dr. Lister Mackenzie” is a cherished biography on one of golf’s most eccentric, interesting, interesting, brilliant, and colorful characters. (source)