MacKenzie

[Sam Sikes]

I was reading the History of the Cypress Point Club, 1996 edition, last night, and the text indicated that Mac had designed over 300 courses world wide.  Is that true?  THREE HUNDRED!  If so, how many are still in existence.  

Also, the book says that Mac intended for 16 to be a par 4.  He was convinced that a par 3 wasn't feasible until Marion Hollins threw down a ball on what would be the tee, and smacked it right on to what would be the eventual green.

Would a short par 4 out on to that point not be the coolest and most naturally strategic hole to date?  I understand that 16 is probably the most photographed hole as is, but does that make it a better hole.  Personally, as a huge fan of the short par 4, I think a par 4 would have been more fun to play.  

What do you guys think?

[Tyler Kearns]

Sam,

In "The Spirit of St. Andrews", Mackenzie mentions consulting over 400 courses throughout his career. A more definitive listing of his architectural credits can be found in the Haddock/Doak/Scott biography entitled, "The Life and Work of Dr. Alister Mackenzie" (Clocktower Press). Their list totals approximately 115 courses.

TK

[Sam Sikes]

Thanks Tyler,

I am about to start reading "Spirit".  How many originals does he have.

[Tyler Kearns]

Sam,

The book lists 69 new designs, with the amount of work done by Mackenzie noted. This includes his work at Pebble Beach, which really was only the reconstruction of the 8th & 13th greens.

TK

[Kelly Blake Moran]

Sam,  Buy the Doak book.  I am rereading it now.  It is much better the second time around.  The Spirit of St. Andrews is in my view the best golf book written.  I encourage you to get on with it!

[Sam Sikes]

Just ordered Life and Work, cant wait to get it.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

i agree the life and work is a great book never mind how many times you pick it up to read.

[TEPaul]

Sam:

Mackenzie's par 4 iteration for CPC's #16 was not from the tee area where Marion Hollin hit that ball to the present green from. Geoff Shackeleford's excellent book on CPC goes into that pretty well. (As you may know it's not that short a walk from the 15th green to the 16th tee and the tees for MacKenzie's 16th par 4 iteration was along in there somewhere).