Ex-captain brought Cambridge and Oxford match to Royal Dornoch Golf Club
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ROYAL Dornoch Golf Club member Calum MacKenzie played a key role in luring the oldest team event in amateur golf to the Highlands.
The Championship Course will host the 134th annual Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities, with second string teams clashing on the links at Brora later this month.
Natural sciences graduate and trainee lawyer Mackenzie (21) captained the Cambridge team last year, losing out to their old rivals at Formby.
He said: “The team captains alternate in selecting the next venue for the match, with Rye hosting it every fifth year.
“I had no hesitation in taking the 2023 match to Royal Dornoch. It is my favourite course.
“The match has never been held this far north – Muirfield is the only other Scottish venue where it has been played.
“The Championship Course figures among the world’s finest links challenges so the teams are really looking forward to their visit.
“It will be a first for most of the players and they will have plenty of support from family, friends and members of the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society, which dates to 1898.
“It will be a nice boost for the Dornoch economy I’m sure.”
Mackenzie has been golfing at Royal Dornoch since his childhood.
“My dad, Ken, and I are long-time members, and we love the town and the golf courses,” he said.
“I first played there when I was 12 on a family holiday and have very fond memories of the Championship and Struie Courses.
“The university teams will be thrilled to have the chance to experience the Championship Course.
“I still get goosebumps making for the third tee where the whole course opens up before you. The views are amazing.
“The course will certainly test the players and their shot-making skills. The elevated greens are very challenging.
“There are so many holes ranked highly individually but the four Par 3s must surely rate the toughest group on any course in golf.”
The teams arrive in Dornoch on Monday, March 20 to prepare for the Blues match on the Friday and Saturday.
The second teams, the Cambridge Stymies and the Oxford Divots, tee-up at Brora on Wednesday, March 23.
The six-a-side ladies match is at Royal Dornoch on the Wednesday and Thursday.
The format for the Varsity Match is 36-hole foursomes followed by 36-hole singles matches.
