Roland MacKenzie

Roland MacKenzie (March 13, 1907 – November 19, 1988) was an American amateur golfer whose career included three selections to Walker Cup teams and five times qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, earning him a reputation as one of America's finest golfers.

Life and career Born on March 13, 1907, in the District of Columbia, MacKenzie graduated from Western High School in Washington, D.C., and Brown University, Class of 1929, in Providence, Rhode Island.

In 1925, MacKenzie won the qualifying medal in the U.S. Amateur held at Oakmont Country Club in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a course-record 71 and 74 for 145, two ahead of Bobby Jones and Jesse Guilford.

In 1926, at age 19, while just a freshman at Brown, he was named to the 1926 Walker Cup team with Jesse Guilford, Francis Ouimet, Watts Gunn, Jess Sweetser, Bobby Jones, George Von Elm, and Robert Gardner in the competition held at the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. In a preliminary round, MacKenzie defeated one of the most skillful putters in Scotland, William John Guild, 3 and 2, eliciting praise from the press:

quote | "The Walker team men tonight are congratulating their youngest colleague. 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."

MacKenzie died on November 19, 1988, aged 81, at his home in Owings Mills, Maryland.