People & the land Architect
Architect
Alister MacKenzie
Alister MacKenzie trained as a doctor and served as a surgeon during the Second Boer War. His interest in camouflage led to a different role in the First World War, when he worked on concealment rather than surgery. His architectural society traces that experience into his later work designing golf courses.1
In the archive 6 Courses at 6 ClubsDated work 1921–1929
Course work
Published course connections in the archive.
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- Redesign
- Original design
- Original design
- Original design
- Co-design
- Co-design
A doctor’s second profession
At Alwoodley near Leeds in 1907, MacKenzie was a founding member and was asked to lay out the course. Other members retained Harry Colt as a consultant. The society records that Colt made only minor changes, and the two formed a professional friendship.1
His California work includes Pasatiempo, where developer Marion Hollins commissioned him to design the golf course. The course opened on September 8, 1929.2
Sources and record notes8 references
Sources for this history
- History of the Alister MacKenzie Society
The Alister MacKenzie Society
Medical/camouflage background and Alwoodley design with Harry Colt consultation.
Consulted 2026-11-07 - Pasatiempo History
Pasatiempo Golf Club
Marion Hollins commissioning MacKenzie and the September 8, 1929 opening.
Consulted 2026-11-07
Architect record sources
- Augusta National Golf Club / PGA TOUR media archive (opens in a new tab)Architect identity · Course design
- Crystal Downs official story (opens in a new tab)Course design
- Cypress Point official club history (opens in a new tab)Course design
- Pasatiempo official history (opens in a new tab)Course design
- PGA TOUR (opens in a new tab)Course design
- The Alister MacKenzie Society (opens in a new tab)Course design