2010 Lido Competition

If the $3,000 grand prize isn't enough to convince you to enter the 2010 Lido Competition, the annual golf design contest co-sponsored by Golf World and the Alister MacKenzie Society, then consider this: If this year's winner attends the MacKenzie Society annual meeting at Ireland's Cork GC Aug. 21-24, he or she will receive a bonus $2,000 to help defray travel expenses.

And if that's still not enough, permit us to suggest one more reason: winning the Lido Prize can lead to even bigger and better things.

Our prime example is Thad Layton, who won the 2003 Lido Prize for his original hole design (pictured on right) which, as all entries must do, utilized the design philosophy of Dr. MacKenzie within the confines of a two-shot par 4. Back in '06, Layton was a "CADD monkey" for Arnold Palmer Course Design Co., doing computer design and graphics. Today, Layton is a golf architect for Palmer and has worked on, among other projects, the renovations of Pebble Beach (for this year's U.S. Open), Bay Hill in Orlando (for this year's Arnold Palmer Invitational) and The Bridges in Bay St. Louis, Miss., where he first got involved in the golf business as a grunt laborer in 1996.

Layton will serve as this year's judge for the Lido Competition, the first time a former winner has ever judged the contest.

The Lido Competition is based upon a magazine design contest won by Dr. MacKenzie in 1914. His winning hole, a par 4 with triple avenues of play, was later constructed by contest founder C.B. Macdonald on his Lido Golf Club on Long Island, N.Y. Sadly, the course, and hole, did not survive World War II.

As in previous Lido contests, entrants are restricted to a hand-drawn design, on paper not larger than 11"x17" along with one sheet of supporting explanation. One entry per contestant. An entry form is required. To download an entry form, as well as a full set of rules click here. Deadline for receipt of all entries is April 1, 2010. No fooling. The winner will be announced by May 1, 2010.

--Ron Whitten

__Announcing the 2010 Alister MacKenzie

"Lido" Prize in Golf Architecture

$3,000.00 Cash Prize for Winner and in addition,

$2,000.00 for attending at Cork Golf Club __

__What is The Lido Prize?__It is awarded annually by members of the Alister MacKenzie Society to honor the memory of Dr. Alister MacKenzie and recognize the design potential of an up and coming architect. The winner will be invited to attend and participate in the annual Society gathering to be held at Cork Golf Club, Cork, Ireland August 21-24, 2010.

__What does the name Lido come from?__In 1914, Dr. MacKenzie's drawing of a "two-shot hole" for the Lido Golf Course (on Long Island, no longer in existence) won first place in a competition in Country Life Magazine. The sketch, shown separately, proved to be an important step in developing his reputation. His books "Golf Architecture" and "Spirit of St. Andrews" expressed his design philosophy.

__Who was Dr. MacKenzie?__He was a multi-talented man who served as a surgeon in the Boer War and as a camouflage expert in World War I, and eventually became recognized as one of the greatest golf architects of all time. The legacy of his design talents can be found in great golf courses in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Argentina.

__What distinguished Dr. MacKenzie as a golf architect?__MacKenzie designed courses can often be recognized by distinguishing features. Some of these are:

• There should be variety in the design of holes and they should be fun to play.

• Holes should make use of the natural features of the land.

• Bunkering should guide the player's strategy for playing the course and should "frame" shots to any greens that are "blind."

• Contours and/or multiple tiers add interest to greens. The green should provide an access route for weaker players and present a challenge for more skilled players.

__What kind of design should be submitted?__The competition will be restricted to the design of a proposed (not existing) "two shot," par-four hole. The design should be in the form of an elaborated sketch giving the viewer a clear idea of how the hole would be constructed and played. It should show yardages, tee locations, alternative playing routes, hazards, bunkers, green location and contours with alternative pin placements, and side elevation of the terrain.

Drawings may NOT be larger than 11" x 17"

Submit entries to:

__Chair, Alister MacKenzie Lido Competition in Golf Architecture

Green Hills Country Club

End of Ludeman Lane

Millbrae, CA 94030

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What is the deadline? Entries must be received by April 1, 2010.