Golf Course Architect

Alister Mackenzie Golf Course

Bury Golf Course Was Designed By Alister Mackenzie in 1920

Alister Mackenzie, a Scottish golf course architect, designed some of the most iconic courses in the world, including Augusta National, Cypress Point Club, and Royal Melbourne. Bury Golf Course, which Mackenzie was commissioned to design in 1920, is a testament to his innovative design ideas and artistic flair. The course is located in the picturesque town of Bury, Manchester, and offers golfers a challenging but enjoyable round of golf.

This article delves into the story of how Alister Mackenzie crafted our timeless golf course.

Dr Alister Mackenzie's hand-drawn map proposing the layout of Bury Golf Course, 1920.

History of Bury Golf Course

Bury Golf Course was established in 1890 as a 9-hole course with sand greens. Over the years, it grew in popularity, and by the early 1920s, the club's management decided to expand the course to 18 holes. They approached Alister Mackenzie to design the new course, who was already famous for his designs at Augusta National and Cypress Point Club.

Mackenzie's Vision

Mackenzie was a firm believer that golf courses should blend harmoniously with the natural landscape, rather than being imposed on it. His approach to designing Bury Golf Course was no different. He took advantage of the undulating terrain, mature trees, and natural water hazards to create a course that was not only beautiful but also a test of skill for golfers

Mackenzie's design principles are evident in every aspect of the Bury Golf Course.

Here are some of the design elements that he incorporated into the course:

Strategic Bunkering

Mackenzie's signature bunkering style is on full display at Bury Golf Course. The bunkers are placed in such a way that they challenge golfers to think strategically about their shots and avoid the hazards.

Natural Water Hazards:

The course has several natural water features that add to its beauty and challenge. Mackenzie used the existing stream that meanders through the back-nine to create water hazards that complement the landscape.

Tree-lined Fairways

Bury Golf Course is known for its tree-lined fairways, which not only add to the course's beauty but also provide a strategic challenge to golfers. Mackenzie used the mature trees on the property to create a natural boundary that requires golfers to hit accurate shots.

Unique Greens

Mackenzie's greens at Bury Golf Course are challenging yet fair. They feature subtle contours and undulations that require golfers to use their putting skills to the fullest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Bury Golf Course unique?

Mackenzie's design philosophy of creating golf courses that blend harmoniously with the natural landscape is evident in every aspect of the Bury Golf Course. He used the natural terrain and water features to create a beautiful and challenging course that remains a testament to his visionary designs.

Which courses did Alister Mackenzie design?

1907 - Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds, England
1909 - Moortown Golf Club, Leeds, England
1912 - Reddish Vale Golf Course, Stockport, England
1913 - Castletown Golf Links, Isle of Man
1913 - Dewsbury District Golf Club, West Yorkshire, England
1913 - Garforth Golf Club, Leeds, England
1913 - Hazel Grove Golf Club, Cheshire, England
1913 - Headingley Golf Club, Leeds, England (renovations)
1913 - Horsforth Golf Club, Leeds, England (renovations)
1913 - Sitwell Park Golf Club, Rotherham, England
1914 - Darlington Golf Club, County Durham England (new course)
1914 - Oakdale Golf Club, Harrogate, England
1914 - Crosland Heath Golf Club, Linthwaite, England
1919 - Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, North Warwickshire, England
1920 - Bury Golf Club, Unsworth, Greater Manchester, England
1920 - Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, Felixstowe, England
1921 - Cleckheaton & District Golf Club, Bradford, England (new course)
1921 - Fulwell Golf Club, England (renovations)
1921 - The Portland Course at the Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland
1921 - Weston-super-Mare Golf Club, Weston-super-Mare, England (redesign)
1922 - Hadley Wood Golf Course, Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire[12]
1922 - Sand Moor Golf Club, Leeds, Yorkshire, England
1922 - Stanmore Golf Club, Middlesex, England
1922 - Pitreavie (Dunfermline) Golf Club, Fife, Scotland
1922 - Bonnyton Golf Club, Eaglesham, Scotland
1923 - Duff House Royal Golf Club, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
1924 - Temple Newsam Golf Club, Leeds, England
1924 - Douglas Golf Club, Cork, Ireland
1924 - Canoe Brook Country Club South Course, Summit, New Jersey, USA
1924 - Muskerry Golf Club, Cork, Ireland
1924 - Bolton Old Links Golf Club, Bolton, Lancashire
1924 - Burning Tree Club, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
1924 - Teignmouth Golf Club, Devon, England
1924 - Melrose Country Club, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, USA
1925 - Seaton Carew Golf Club Course, Seaton Carew, Durham County, England
1925 - Stanley Park Golf Course, Stanley Park, Blackpool, England
1925 - South Moor golf club (course re-design)
1925 - Ravensworth Golf Club, Gateshead, England (re-design)
1925 - Galway Golf Club, Galway, Ireland.
1925 - Low Laithes Golf Club, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England
1925 - Cavendish Golf Club, Buxton, Derbyshire, England
1925 - Willingdon Golf Club, Eastbourne, England
1925 - Rhayader Golf Club, Cwmdauddwr, Radnorshire (now Powys), Wales
1926 - Titirangi Golf Club, Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand
1926 - Royal Adelaide Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia
1926 - The Worcestershire Golf Club, Malvern, Worcestershire, England
1926 - The Flinders Golf Club, Flinders, Victoria, Australia (consultant on existing design)
1926 - The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia
1926 - New South Wales Golf Club, Sydney, Australia
1927 - Worcester Golf & Country Club, Worcester, England
1927 - Cork Golf Club, Cork, Ireland
1927 - Hazlehead Park (MacKenzie Championship Course), Aberdeen, Scotland
1927 - Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course), Ireland
1927 - Blairgowrie Golf Club (Rosemount Course), Perth and Kinross, Scotland
1927 - Meadow Club, Fairfax, California, USA
1927 - Redlands Country Club, Redlands, California, USA
1927 - Douglas Golf Course, Pulrose, Isle of Man
1928 - The Valley Club of Montecito Santa Barbara, California, USA
1928 - Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula, California, USA
1928 - Northwood Golf Club, Monte Rio, California, USA
1928 - Fray Bentos Golf Club, Fray Bentos, Rio Negro, Uruguay
1928 - Libertad Golf Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1929 - Nenagh Golf Club, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
1929 - Pasatiempo Golf Club, Santa Cruz, California, USA
1929 - Claremont Country Club, Oakland, California, USA
1929 - Crystal Downs Country Club, Frankfort, Michigan, USA
1930 - Jockey Club (Buenos Aires) de San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1930 - Club de Golf del Uruguay (Punta Carretas), Montevideo, Uruguay
1930 - Green Hills Country Club, Millbrae, California, USA
1931 - Bingley St Ives Golf Course, Harden, Bingley, West Yorkshire, England
1931 - Ohio State University Golf Club (Scarlet Course) at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1931 - St. Charles Country Club, Winnipeg, Manitoba; MacKenzie Nine
1931 - University of Michigan Golf Course, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
1931 - Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course), Melbourne, Australia
1932 - Sharp Park Golf Course, Pacifica, California, USA
1932 - Haggin Oaks Golf Course, Sacramento, California, USA
1932 - Pontefract and District Golf Club, West Yorkshire, England which incorporated a number of classic Mackenzie greens
1933 - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA

Is Bury GC a member of The Mackenzie Society?

Yes, Bury Golf Club is a member of The Mackenzie Society. More details can be found here https://alistermackenzie.co.uk/