Of course I have to throw my two cents in, the buddinski that I am!
I have yet to make to the magical wonderland called Oz, but since knowing Neal, Brett, Josh, and others, hopefully I can get a free pass here to speak my peace.
I was made aware of the book by John Scarth Lovell along with its content and accusations. I was also pretty much aghast at the subject which doesn't really seem to be about Mick Morcum, but more about who bonked who, and how someone had to get out of town ASAP. I feel that this has absolutely nothing to do with the subject of golf architecture, but more of trying to discredit one of my, if not all of Golf's more genuine heroes--Dr. Alexander "Alister" MacKenzie.
And furthermore.......
So much has been said in the last years, all speculative of how much of the Good Doctor's involvement was with Royal Melbourne and other great courses in the land of Oz. Genuinely, I have to say that unless the proof is shown to me, confirming all of Mr. Lovell's research, I will continue on believing that Dr. Alister MacKenzie came to Australia on request of Royal Melbourne to design their golf course(s) and it was further subsidized by selling his services to other clubs while in town.
I have no problem giving Alex Russell credit of designing the Royal Melbourne East Course, especially since he was pretty much unheard of as an architect previous to Dr. MacKenzie's visits, but eventually was a partner to the doctor. I do have to ask though, "Why else would have the club brought-in MacKenzie if Russel and Morcom were so affluent with great golf design?"
There is little doubt in my mind that under the guidance and instruction of MacKenzie, Alex Russell and Mick Morcom learned what they were doing and not doing right. To think of their hard work, that has seen some of the great Melbourne sand belt courses, the total awe of a site like New South Wales which have evolved and stood the truest test of time would be the ultimate compliment. Surely these talents received their inspirations from somewhere, and considering that I have yet to see any evidence at hand stating their love for the Old Course on their trips abroad to Scotland, I will continue to think that it was the classic stories and conveyances of one extremely charming, bright and intelligent character that inspired them.
Given Dr. MacKenzie's personality, I doubt that he would have given anyone with the lack of talent to dictate what he envisioned, any credit for any design if he actually didn't mean it. This doesn't mean that MacKenzie didn't know how to properly schmooze the clientele, which I think we all know that to be an untruth. He would also have not one problem exposing what fools any club was that didn't follow his instructions to the last order. I give this so-called charleton, much more credit then that.
Withether MacKenzie's stay was one month or one year, or even one millenium, to cast doubt on his character to charm, impress, inspire and oversee the games greatest moments in Australia and New Zealand would be of a crime of indecent preportions.
I write this from La Habra, California in the year 2001. Surely these golf courses, built in the 1920's, close to the eve of the World's Greatest Financial Depression, in a land far, far away that has such impact on the game as I know it, should mean something, shouldn't it?