Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1975
- Class:
- 1929
Roland R. MacKenzie '29
Sport:Â Golf
Year Inducted:Â 1975
Roland R. MacKenzie '29 played on the U.S. Walker Cup team with Bobby Jones three times and qualified for the U.S. National Amateur Golf championship five times, earning a reputation as one of America's finest golfers. MacKenzie took up golf seriously in 1921, and by 1924 had won three invitational tourneys and qualified for the Nationals held at Merion Country Club, Ardmore, PA. As one of 32 qualifiers that year, he drew the great George Von Elm in the first match - and took him into overtime before losing. Bobby Jones won his first amateur championship in this tournament, defeating Von Elm in the finals. A year later, MacKenzie startled the golf world by winning the qualifying medal in the Nationals at Oakmont with a low total of 145. Bobby Jones had a 147 that day. MacKenzie made his best showing in 1927 Nationals, advancing to the semi-finals where he lost to Chick Evans in a still talked about 37-hole battle. Jones again won in the finals. While he still was a freshman at Brown, MacKenzie was named to the U.S. Walker Cup team of 1926. In this Golden Age of golf, the U.S. team included Jones, Jesse Sweetser, Frances Ouimet, George Von Elm, Jesse Guilford, Walter Gunn, MacKenzie, and Robert Gardner. In a preliminary round, MacKenzie defeated one of the deadliest putters in Scotland, W.J. Guild, 3 and 2, "The Walker team men tonight are congratulating their youngest colleague," the paper said. "From the first tee, he sent thunderous shots straight down the fairways. His ball led Guild's 40 to 50 yards through the match. MacKenzie's play, particularly his style and grace, which the spectators repeatedly compared to that of Bobby Jones, and his powerful low drives, frequently evoked applause." In his three years on the Walker Cup Team, MacKenzie had a 5-1 record. Today, Roland MacKenzie is president of Shamrock Properties, Inc., Cockeysvilee, MD.
