This weekend’s BMW PGA Championship was the end of an era as Chris Kennedy hands over the reins of one of the most coveted jobs in golf, that of Golf Courses Manager, Wentworth Club, to his fellow Scotsman, Kenny Mackay.
Chris Kennedy has been Golf Courses Manager at Wentworth since February 1990 and this week has delivered his final BMW PGA Championship.
When he retires, Chris will have managed Wentworth Club through 52 professional events: 23 PGA Championships and 19 World Match Play Championships on the West Course; and 10 Senior Masters over Wentworth’s Edinburgh Course.
He has been the man in charge of maintaining Wentworth’s world class reputation throughout the biggest period of evolution in its history, and he points to the modernisation of Harry Colt’s original West Course design in partnership with Ernie Els as the most significant achievement of his career.
“The second phase of the renovation of the West Course was the biggest challenge of my career, especially as we had to hit it all in one season,” said Kennedy. “But it was also one of the most rewarding experiences. Working with Ernie was great – he was able to get the feedback of so many of the great modern players and we have continued to refine it. Ultimately, we are very proud of what we achieved.”
Mackay joins Wentworth from The Belfry, where he has been Director of Golf Courses and Grounds since 2005. Having worked at London Golf Club, Hanbury Manor and The Forest of Arden before joining The Belfry, Kenny has overseen the needs of a dozen European Tour events.
“There aren’t many jobs that you cannot turn down and Wentworth is one of them,” said Mackay. “It is one of the best jobs in my industry so I am naturally looking forward to getting started.
“One of the biggest attractions for me was having tournaments on the golf course I am in charge of and they don’t come much bigger than the BMW PGA Championship. To prepare a golf course fit for the greatest players in the world is a great challenge and one that I look forward to in the future.”
This article first appeared in the programme for The BMW PGA Championship 2012
Wentworth Club www.wentworthclub.com