The welcome at Moortown was magnificent, they even constructed a bunker in the shape of Australia for us on the 2nd hole. (OK, no they didn't, but it does look like a Tassie free Australia right?)
Moortown certainly had much more of a Kingston Heath feel about it. Maybe it was the familiarity of the MacKenzie bunkers, or possibly the fact that there was a bit more space to breathe when you were looking down the fairway.
There certainly is still quite a bit of gorse, and sections of heather, but it was not the dominant feature like at Ganton the day prior.
The layout remained largely the same from the 1920's, without any major changes until the 1980's, when the problem of golf balls in houses required removal of holes on the boundary. Subsequently, creation of new holes within the centre of the property was required.
In recent times, the course has seen some changes to revert it back to the feel MacKenzie had in mind originally. A large number of trees have been removed, and heathland areas have been regenerated. This hole, the par four 5th, has changed dramatically, as it was once lined with trees on the inside of the dogleg.
The heather framing the fairway bunker of the 6th hole is beautiful, and provides great definition.
Moortown was the 2nd host of the Ryder Cup in 1929, and the first outside of the USA. The European team was successful, 7 points to 5. The contest only consisted of foursomes and singles, no fourball at that stage.
Dr MacKenzie was working on Alwoodley Golf Club, just across the road when he was attempting to convince the Moortown golf club to engage him as the designer. Alwoodley was his first course, so at this point in time he was quite inexperienced. The hole he created, to convince the club, was this one, the par three 10th hole, known as Gibraltar.
Built on a rocky slope, the 10th is a masterpiece, and showed the true talent that MacKenzie had for golf course design. It is one of the most impressive inland, uphill par threes that I have played.
I was fortunate enough to have played with assistant professional Eddie today. He was great company, and although a little rusty (less rusty than me), showed some great signs of quality shots. He is striking an iron from the blind tee at the 11th.
The fairway bunker at the 11th, with an island of heather in the centre.
This "lighthouse" cluster of fairway bunkers on the par five 12th, has recently been restored as the exact replica of Mackenzie's original creation.
I was also joined by Vice Captain Malcolm today, and he is pictured here driving on the uphill par four 13th.
This is the view from behind the green on the 13th. Directly behind where i am standing, is the location of the holes that were causing "house" problems. It is now a heather nursery.
Another beautiful heather framed fairway bunker, this time on the par four 15th. This hole also has a green that slopes strongly from back to front. With fast greens, a downhill putt would be treacherous.
The shot into 18 is a daunting one. A mid iron to a green with the clubhouse perilously close to the putting surface. Watching our groups come in, we saw two balls end up in the garden under the clubhouse windows.
The Moortown and Kingston Heath teams just behind the 18th green. A magnificent day was had by all, and we were really well looked after by the Moortown members.
Andrew Cookes came home strongly on the back nine (22 points) to claim victory today with 34 points.
We now travel to Scotland, and the home of golf St. Andrews.
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