Max moved out here in 1918, after his wife passed away. I wouldn't underestimate MacBeth for a moment, and it's certainly one or the other...or both. Hopefully, you or Tommy will have some time to research the subject.
Not planning on researching it any time soon, but I do recall seeing references to Behr and MacBeth playing together in team matches. I was thinking that Wilshire predated Behr's known design work, and while their might have been a short overlap, it sounds as if this was pretty much the case.
As for the hill in front of Number 2, I just always thought that was a fascinating and unique feature.
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I talked with a member today who was involved in the restoration and the comments made toward Wilshire are "laughable" in his mind. As he said, it's a case of armchair architects who don't anything about the history or the instructions given to Kyle Phillips that lead to these wild conclusions.
Joel,
I am sorry the member feels that way, I doubt anyone meant any offense. I can only speak for myself, but I certainly wasn't trying to draw any "wild conclusions" or, for that matter, any conclusions at all. As I said, I don't know the details and haven't seen the person, which I hope helps explain the confusion.
Anyway, I do appreciate the member taking the time to clarify a few things. For example, I am glad to hear that I am not losing my mind regarding the bunker style. No wonder they look so much like Mackenzie restoration bunkers-- that was the plan!
Fascinating about Macbeth playing Cypress and then bringing Mackenzie in to revise the bunkers. Given that both Mackenzie and Macbeth had relationships with Behr, this shouldn't be surprising, but I had never heard it before. Like I said, I don't ever recall seeing any Wilshire photos that looked like these, but it has probably been close to 10 years since I have even looked at the photos on the walls there.
As I think I said above, Wilshire is a wonderful but under appreciated course. I am sure the comments and curiosity result from a fondness for the place.