The MacKenzie Mixed Pairs

Arguably the greatest golf architect of all time, Dr. Alister MacKenzie has left a legacy of classic courses around the world – among them Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne. Alwoodley was the first course he designed in 1907 and is now known as the Original MacKenzie. His second design, Moortown the first course to hold the Ryder Cup on British soil, is less than half a mile down the road.

Alwoodley

There was a few faint drops of rain as the first group teed off, but this soon cleared to leave an overcast humid day. The front nine at Alwoodley offers good opportunities to score as many of the holes play downwind. The back nine is a different story, as the homebound stretch always plays into the prevailing wind off the Yorkshire moors.

This was the case for many of our couples as after a fine first nine holes, it was a case of holding on and trying to find the sanctuary of the clubhouse. Three couples managed this better than most as they all signed for a wonderful 39pts. David Beaney & Alison White (Gerrards Cross), Robin & Trish Tweedle (Rochdale) & newcomers Mike & Annie Neville (Barnard Castle) could all be very satisfied with their days work.

But atop of the leaderboard overnight was Harpenden duo Kevin & Val Walsh. Despite a blob on No.16 they had dove-tailed beautifully around MacKenzie’s Original to post a brilliant 41pts and lead the field by 2 shots.

Moortown

The one event which has contributed so much to Moortown’s reputation as a championship course was the staging of the first ever Ryder Cup on British soil in 1929. Under the captaincy of George Duncan, Great Britain  would go on to win the match 7-5.  Moortown is a classic moorland course with lovely springy turf. The fairways are wide and inviting and many are flanked with silver birch, gorse and heather.

There was a threat of rain as the group commenced their rounds, but fortunately the dark clouds quickly blew over to leave a humid day with just enough wind to make scoring tricky. Jeremy & Anna Whitehouse finished their campaign with a wonderful 40pts for a total of 76pts which was a fine debut. Overnight leaders Kevin & Val, with the advantage of Kevin being a member of Moortown in the past, sadly came up just short after shooting a steady 36pts.

The round of the day belonged to the ever consistent Surbiton duo of Richard & Rosemary Kennett. They fired a brilliant round of 41pts which included shooting 23pts on the front nine. This gave them a total of 78pts with very few of the field left to finish.

But from slightly under thr radar, Robin & Trish had finished on a high! From going out in only 17pts, they set alight the back 9 to come home in 23pts. Their total of 79pts had pipped the Kennett’s by a single stroke and therefore claim the title of MacKenzie Mixed Pairs champions.