GOLF / THOMAS BONK : MacKenzie’s Manuscript Published, but Not by Design

AUGUSTA, Ga. —  In 1933, Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the architect of Augusta National, wrote extensively on the courses he designed and his philosophy, including anecdotes about the top players of the day.

It was destined to be a great project, except for one thing: Nobody saw it.

The manuscript was discovered in a desk drawer by Raymund Haddock, MacKenzie’s step-grandson, 60 years later.

Haddock, an insurance agent in Boulder, Colo., had inherited the desk. MacKenzie died in 1934, and his ashes were spread over the Pasatiempo Golf Club course, which he designed, in Santa Cruz.

As for the manuscript, which MacKenzie wrote with help from Haddock’s father, who was MacKenzie’s stepson and secretary, it did not become a best-seller.

“It has lain forgotten until recently brought to light among my father’s papers,” Haddock said.

The manuscript has been published by Sleeping Bear Press as a book titled, “The Spirit of St. Andrews.” It is just as MacKenzie wrote it and includes photographs from the era.

MacKenzie designed Royal Melbourne and Cypress Point, in addition to Augusta National--on which he collaborated with Bobby Jones.

“Perhaps the discovery of this manuscript written in the gallant doctor’s own fair hand was not quite as dramatic as Lord Caernarvon discovering the burial ground of Tutankhamen, but for lovers of golf, it must run it damn close,” television commentator Peter Alliss said.

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Why, of course: Paul Azinger said he has a love-hate relationship with Augusta National.

“I love it when I get here and I hate it when I leave,” he said.

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Fountain of Youth: Arnold Palmer, 65, a four-time Masters champion, has been honored by the Masters Committee with a fountain in his name behind the 16th tee.

Palmer remembered the first time Ben Hogan noticed him.

It was in a practice round before the 1958 Masters. Palmer came in on a roll with three victories and a loss in a playoff. But he was also tired.

“I played horribly,” Palmer said. “I hit it all over the place.”

Palmer’s partner was Dow Finsterwald, and they wound up beating Hogan and Jackie Burke for $35. In the locker room, Palmer noticed Hogan talking with Burke.

“Burke told me the story,” Palmer said. “He said Hogan wanted to know how I got in the tournament.”

Palmer went on to win the first of his four Masters titles in 1958.

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Birdie bath: Palmer shot 79-73 and missed the cut this time around, but he birdied the 16th both days.

“Hey, that’s my hole,” he said. “They put a plaque there. I had to do something.”

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Mr. “Pure Golf”: Harvey Penick’s death last week in Austin, Tex., at 90 deeply touched three golfers on the pro tour--Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Davis Love III.

Penick was the pro at Austin Country Club for decades and taught both Kite and Crenshaw. He was also the golf coach at the University of Texas and taught Love’s father.

Kite and Crenshaw were pallbearers at Penick’s funeral Wednesday. Love said Penick’s influence on his dad and then on himself is one of the reasons for his success in golf.

“My dad thought Harvey was the greatest teacher there was, not only instructional-wise, but the way he handled himself with people,” Love said.

“He was a great, great man. And growing up, all I ever heard was, well, Harvey said this or Harvey said that. That is the great way about the way Harvey talked or my dad talked.

“They never came up with any new theories (and) never got caught up in any trends or fads. It was pure, simple golf.”

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Nick’s time: He didn’t play in the Nissan Open at Riviera, but Nick Price will get a look at the course where he’ll defend his PGA Championship title when he plays a practice round there on May 1. The tournament is Aug. 10-13.