Architect, author and GCAer Scott Macpherson is this month's Feature Interview. Born in New Zealand of Scottish descent, and now a resident of Scotland, he brings great perspective to my favorite golfing regions of both hemispheres.
His first book
St Andrews, The Evolution of Old Course is that rarest of breeds: an immensely important book that is extremely enjoyable to peruse. For years now, I thought it was sold out as copies sporadically pop up on the web for $400 and higher. Happily, it is still available, with the last copies exclusively sold by the Links Trust in St Andrews and its on-line store:
http://www.standrews.com/Shop/Golf-Gifts/Greetings-Cards?skunumber=71056 When I ordered my copy, the shipping cost pushed the price to just over $100 US.
Scott's detailed, fold-out account of the hole-by-hole changes to The Old Course over the decades sets the gold standard for detailed research. It explains why the word 'evolution' is in the title and that the Old Course has never been a 'moth-balled' course. Rather, change is the only constant. The entire book is nothing short of enthralling; can there be a more interesting subject in golf architecture?! I think not and I am reminded of Ron Whitten's Feature Interview where he stated,
“The only true influential course I can think of is the Old Course at St. Andrews. Everything in golf architecture is pretty much either a reaction to it, or a reaction against it.”Scott's latest,
Golf's Royal Clubs, has won the ING ‘best author’ award at their 22nd Annual Awards in 2015, and is currently shortlisted at the Cross British Sports Book Awards for Best Illustrated book, and for the Murdoch Medal in the British Golf Collectors Society Awards. It can be ordered through the R&A, or is available in the United Kingdom at Waterstones bookshops.
Having visited 57 of 66 of those existing golf clubs that have gained the royal title from the British Royal Family, he has surely set a record! I have Sir Peter Allen's 1989 effort on the same subject (though it includes those golf clubs that claim the royal title from non-British Royal Families also) and some royals possess courses that 'only a mother could love.' Yet, Scott’s writing, ability to excellently illustrate his books, and passion for the game (and people) makes it a bright, lively affair.
Scott wants to be known more for his golf designs than for his writing. Regarding his royal book, he notes,
'I saw a number of really neat design features on the royal courses - perhaps some I can apply to my own work.' Surely the same applies in spades from all that he saw and gleaned in compiling the St. Andrews tome? No surprise that writing and design can dovetail so nicely.
The photographs in his Feature Interview of his remodeling work in New Zealand and his course for Close House GC outside of Newcastle, England suggest that he is off to a good start. Scott has a new nine-hole project close to progressing in France, however his focus is a project with Sandy Lyle in South Lanarkshire that is in pretty countryside between Glasgow and Edinburgh; my daughter and I commented on such as we trained it back and forth between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
I imagine that Scott will respond periodically to questions/comments - have fun with this month's Feature Interview!
Best,