Statue of the great Dr Alister MacKenzie revealed

By: Darren Ramowski | Wed 05 Oct 2011

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Guest feature from Ian Cook on the unveiling of a statue of Dr Alister Mackenzie - A legend in the world of golf course architecture, in tribute to the centenary of Hazel Grove Golf Club. Hazel Grove Golf Club is rated 4/5 from 4 reviews here on Golfshake.com

Dr Alister Mackenzie - A legend in the world of golf course architecture

Hazel Grove Dr Alister Mackenzie In tribute to the centenary of the course at Hazel Grove GC, the Centenary Committee wanted to create something with ‘Wow Factor’ that commemorated the life and work of Dr Alister MacKenzie. Numerous wall plaques and foundation stones were discussed, but the suggestion that got everyone excited was the creation of a life-size MacKenzie statue, carved from wood.

A unique man of diverse talents, Dr Alister MacKenzie believed golf was the best medicine for many of his patients. His interest in it escalated to a consuming passion and he devised some of the world's most interesting courses.

MacKenzie courses are revered by golfers the world over and include:

Britain's Alwoodley and Moortown Clubs in Yorkshire (1907,1909)
Hazel Grove, in Cheshire (1913)
Australia's Royal Melbourne (1926)
America's Cypress Point (1928)
America's Crystal Downs (1929)
America's Augusta National, Home of the US Masters (1934)

With the wood carving idea gaining momentum and substantial centenary donations arriving daily from Hazel Grove members, the committee set about finding someone to create the sculpture.

Having seen champion woodcarver Tim Burgess at work locally (he created the tree carving outside Torkington Park in Hazel Grove) we set up a meeting to discuss the idea, time scales and costs involved in bringing the statue to reality.

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Having scoured the internet and various history books supplied by the MacKenzie Society for pictures of the great man, we presented ‘Tim the Carver’ with only 2 or 3 pictures that he could work with to create the masterpiece.

Having identified a potential oak tree that was blocking the view of the 18th green from the clubhouse balcony, the tree was systematically trimmed back to hopefully preserve the trunk for carving, however it was discovered that the tree was diseased and rotten through the centre. The tree was chopped down and removed and in its place a solid piece of oak trunk measuring over a meter wide and 3 meters in length was set in concrete, ready for the statue to be carved from.

With a wait of over 6 months for a window because of Tim the Carver’s busy schedule of commissions, summer shows and competitions, mid September 2011 was agreed upon, that way the statue would have time to weather and visiting golfers and new members would see the statue and lots of other “wow factors” which the Centenary Team have been fulfilling on the course, including new bridges, colourful gardens, fountains, 100 bird boxes and 100 fish for the huge lake in the centre of the course. This was to ensure that when we start the centenary year in October 2012, the course and clubhouse will be a spectacular tribute to 00 years of golf.

Early on Monday 12th September 2011, Tim the Carver started with his selection of nearly 40 different chainsaws cutting large pieces of timber away to start this amazing piece of visual art.

Wood Carving Hazel Grove Tim Burgess

With assistance from members of HGGC who kept the tea flowing and the wood chippings down to a minimum, Tim worked solidly for up to 8 hours a day for 3 days. On the second day a fancy dress golf day was organised with members asked to dress according to the period of 1913.

Teeing off near the carving, golfers were treated to a spectacular sight 4 hours later, as they made their way down the 18th fairway towards the clubhouse. The statue of Dr Alister MacKenzie was completed and standing proudly behind his signature style, MacKenzie two tier green, looking down the fairway, over the course he created 100 years ago.

Already members and visiting golfers are queuing to have their photographs taken next to the statue as a memento of their day at Hazel Grove GC, and it is hoped that in time the club will create a “Walk of Fame” by taking photographs of celebrities and famous people with the statue, who regularly come to play the course.

Having discussed the initial idea with the Alister MacKenzie Society it has already been agreed that the society will bring a team of players to see the statue and enjoy a round of golf on the HGGC Mackenzie course in the centenary year, where they will unveil a plaque to celebrate the occasion.

View of the 18th Hazel Grove Golfers and visitors alike are welcome to come and see the statue in front of the clubhouse and, as always, if you pop up to the 19th hole balcony, this allows you to see the full panoramic vista of the golf course Dr Alister MacKenzie created all those years ago.

The Captains and Members hope that golfers will take the opportunity to visit Hazel Grove GC and experience for themselves the “Wow Factor” Dr Alister MacKenzie created 100 years ago and which the Centenary Committee have now enhanced.