Reading a copy of the Cavendish GC history book that has just arrived, I am pleased to be able to report that Mackenzie was also engaged at the same time as Cavendish to design a public putting green in the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, Derbyshire. This was news to me as I had never read of this before and had not known that he designed a public putting course anywhere, although they were quite popular across the UK around this time.
Mackenzie was apparently engaged by the local Buxton Council, prepared his plans, submitted an invoice for 81 pounds and the putting green/putting course was built and opened in 1924. Although I have no proof, I would suspect that his brother Charles Mackenzie built the green while his team were engaged building the nearby Cavendish course for the Duke of Devonshire.
The Board collection at the local history museum fortunately includes a ca1930 photograph of the putting green, which gives quite a good idea of the undulations Mackenzie incorporated in it. I wonder how inspired Mackenzie would have been by the Himalayas at St Andrews, which he no doubt knew well as an R&A member?
The putting green was abandoned in the 1950's although it is said that vestiges of the green can still be seen in the gardens today. I will be asking my contact at Cavendish to see if he can enquire with the council archives to see if any records of its design and construction survive. I will report back as more information comes to hand.
cheers Neil
the green obviously extends out to the right of the image given the direction the women appear to be putting. A hole is in the foreground suggesting the putting course extended quite some distance.
