Alister MacKenzie

Dr. Alister MacKenzie was born on August 30, 1870, in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. A highly accomplished individual, he earned degrees in chemistry, medicine, and natural science from Cambridge University. MacKenzie initially pursued a medical career and served as a surgeon during the Second Boer War, where he developed expertise in camouflage—not only valuable for warfare but later influential in his golf course design.

MacKenzie’s transition to golf course architecture was motivated by his belief in golf’s health benefits. He began designing courses in England, notably founding and designing at Alwoodley Golf Club in 1907. His innovative style featured undulating greens, angled and strategically placed bunkers camouflage naturally within the environment—hallmarks of his design philosophy. He won international acclaim after triumphing in a 1914 golf course design contest by Country Life magazine.

In 1919, MacKenzie partnered with Harry Colt and Charles Alison to form the influential firm Colt, MacKenzie & Alison, before moving to the United States in the 1920s. There, he designed some of the world’s greatest courses, including the legendary Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia—home of The Masters Tournament—opened in 1933. Other notable projects include Cypress Point Club in California and Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia.

MacKenzie’s design philosophy emphasized strategy, natural beauty, and fairness: courses should challenge experts while providing enjoyment for average players. His seminal book, Golf Architecture (1920), remains a foundational work in course design.

MacKenzie passed away on January 6, 1934, in California, leaving a profound legacy as one of golf’s foremost architects. He was the first golf architect inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.