BallenIsles Country Club Celebrates Another 'Jewel in the Crown'

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A juried fine art exhibition at the Lighthouse ArtCenter, featuring wildlife photographs from around the world, has awarded BallenIsles Member Malcolm MacKenzie with "Best of Show" for a photograph taken while travelling in Africa.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110228/FL55794 )

A nature and fine art photographer since retiring and a member of BallenIsles Photography Club, the photograph holds especially fond memories for MacKenzie who has travelled the world capturing countless special moments on camera.

"This particular shot was taken in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater as we were enjoying zebras and wildebeests running up and down a small gorge, creating large dust clouds as they did. There was a sudden scattering as this elephant just trundled through. I took over 17,000 photographs on that trip and am still finding gems overlooked on previous reviews," he recalls.

MacKenzie's passion for world travel is shared by his wife Dorothy who traced the source of handmade beads at an art show to Kenya, Africa and began designing necklaces that help create job opportunities for disadvantaged women there.

Called Kazuri, Swahili for "small and beautiful," the beads are made from clay from the Kenyan mountains. "They are hand shaped, polished, then fired, painted, and fired again by local women in a meticulous process," Mrs. Mackenzie explained.

"I have purchased hundreds of these beads and integrated silver, gold fill and gemstones to create necklaces. It has been a great give back for me to keep making these pieces which allows me to buy more from them. It truly is a feel good thing!" she added.

In addition to the active lifestyle afforded by a brand new state-of-the-art Sports Complex that sets a standard of wellness and fitness at BallenIsles, Members enjoy many philanthropic and social clubs, including the Photography Club where MacKenzie also volunteers his expertise with a camera.

The Exhibition runs through March 12 at the Lighthouse ArtCenter, northern Palm Beach and southern Martin Counties' oldest and largest visual arts museum.

Troon Golf, the world's largest golf management company, overseeing operations at properties located in 30 states and 23 countries recently honored BallenIsles Country Club with the coveted distinction, "FACILITY OF THE YEAR". For more information visit www.BallenIsles.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Hopkinson, NewsMark Public Relations

561-852-5767 [email protected]

SOURCE BallenIsles Country Club