Who agrees this would be fun?

[Bob Ellington]

What about going to the UK and just playing MacKenzie courses that he either a. designed or b. conducted a MAJOR renovation? I guess (pure guess) that there might be 15-18 such beasts.Afterall, if you are going to play, why not play on the best architect's work?The big bonus would be a much greater understanding of MacKenzie's work at the end of the trip.I have had some real dumb ideas in the past but I reckon this isn't one of them.

[John Morrissett]

I "reckon" you are right. A relative of MacKenzie's told me on no account to miss County Cork - he was very high on the Good Doctor's work there. He also highly suggested Cavendish in England, which is somewhere between Leeds and Manchester I believe.Just thinking about it, what is the most northern course we would have to travel to? Would we  include St. Andrews given its impact on Macker or are you saying stick strictly to your two criteria?Regardless, the idea has great merit.

[Lloyd Bickerton]

It is a good idea but think about it - what courses are we actually talking about?1. Lahinch2. County Cork3. Alwoodley4. Moortown5. Cavendish6. ???I am having troubles thinking of more at the moment but the point is obvious: MacKenzie's best work is in Australia and the USA. A trip to the UK just for him would be disappointing.Having said this, something seems wrong. I must be clearly missing some of his courses in the UK. Which ones though?

[John Morrissett]

Something does seem amiss. I am at a tournament now and away from any reference material, so it is hard to point to any hard facts. However, upon reflection, I guess MacKenzie never returned to England to work after the mid 1920's. While we all know his best work is outside the UK, I never appreciated that there really isn't that much quality work in his homeland.

[Lloyd Bickerton]

Change of plans.What about just playing Harry Colt's courses across the UK? They have stood the test of time better than MacKenzie's have there, plus a majority are in the south of England, making travelling easy.

[John Morrissett]

How about an all inland England trip?In the past, I have been too gutless to make a trip to GB&I without playing a single links course.  Doesn't sound too thrilling?  Think of the selection (in addition to MacKenzie's work): Royal Worlington and Newmarket, Swinley Forest, The Addington, Notts, Woodhall Spa, Royal Ashdown Forest, Woking,St. George's Hill, Sunningdale (Old and New), West Sussex, Ganton, LittleAston, Walton Heath (Old) and on and on and on . . .  You could spend twoweeks in England (with minimal driving), never see the sea and have aterrific trip.  As a group, are England's inland courses the most underrated in the world?

[JohnV]

I could go for that.  I had always intended for my next golf trip to Europe to cover the English courses as best as I could so I'd love that.  You left Wentworth out of your list.  I might have to stay over a week or two to get the links courses there as well.

[peter_p]

Go for it! But you aren't going to get them all in one trip, believe me. About a year ago I played many of them and they're mostly all good tracks. Pick sectors and make two two week trips. Found myself driving from Woodhall Spa to Ganton to  Hunstanton & Brancaster because that was only sequence to get on all four. Royal Ashdown Forest was only disappointment.