Episode 17 – Augusta National Handmade in Scotland – A tribute to Alister MacKenzie

Summary: On the weekend of the 80th Masters what could possibly connect Scottish golf and the origins of the most hallowed golfing turf on earth, Augusta National? After some initial research I was amazed to find that Augusta National was built by a Scot, Alister MacKenzie. After further research the compelling story of Mackenzie and his travels made for a fascinating story which needed told. Our guest is the perfect man to tell this story, arguably the most knowledgeable in the life of Dr Mackenzie, Nick Leefe, as Chairman of The Alister MacKenzie Society Of Great Britain and Ireland and Historian of Alwoodly, Mackenzie's first course design Mr Leefe was happy to come on the podcast to talk through the Scots' untold story. With some of Scotland's most notable golf courses associated to Dr Alister MacKenzie and the very fact that he was a member of the Royal and Ancient of St Andrews this episode is a celebration of the great man. One of his famous Scottish golf course designs is Duff House Royal, pictured below which is located in the heart of the Speyside Whisky Region and unsurprisingly adjacent to an active distillery. Golf and whisky galore. Of his other course design influences is Blairgowrie Golf Club's Rosemount which hosts the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup this September. CNN are paying tribute to Mackenzie this weekend on their broadcast airing multiple times across the platform. A video of the feature can be seen here;.