Mackenzie and wife Jenna created the Mackenzie Hughes Family Foundation in 2023. The mission of the foundation is to make a positive difference for children and families through financial assistance, community experiences and creating lifelong memories.

Got his start in golf at seven years old, when his parents brought him along to the driving range at Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club (Stanley Thompson-designed course) instead of hiring a babysitter. In 2017, the par-3 course at Dundas Valley was renamed the Mackenzie Hughes Par 3.

Served as a standard bearer in Mike Weir's group at the 2004 RBC Canadian Open, which was roughly a year and a half after Weir's historic victory at the 2003 Masters Tournament.

The Canadian trio of Hughes, Corey Conners, and Taylor Pendrith were inducted into the Kent State Athletics Hall of Fame (also known as the Varsity K Hall of Fame) in 2021. Other notable members of the Varsity K Hall of Fame include 2003 Open Championship winner Ben Curtis (inducted in 2006), former NFL wide receiver Julian Edelman (inducted 2015), four-time All-Pro First Team tight end Antonio Gates (inducted as a basketball player in 2010), and legendary football coaches Lou Holtz (inducted 1990) and Nick Saban (inducted 2015).

Motto is "Success is never owned. It is rented, and the rent is due everyday."

Dislikes anything with chocolate in it.

Dream as a child was to play in the NHL.

Favorite pro teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Carolina Panthers, and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dream foursome would include "Messrs. Hogan, Nicklaus and Woods".

Played four seasons at Kent State University (2008-12), where he earned three collegiate victories and finished with a career scoring average of 73.67. Hughes was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection (2010-12), as well as the 2009 MAC Freshman of the Year, and helped Kent State win four consecutive MAC Championships (2009-12) during his time with the program.

Alongside teammates and fellow Canadians Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith, Hughes helped Kent State qualify for the 2012 NCAA Championship at Riviera Country Club, where they defeated Florida State University (led by Daniel Berger and Brooks Koepka) in a playoff to earn the eighth and final spot in match play. Kent State fell to the Justin Thomas-led Alabama Crimson Tide in match play.

Won back-to-back Canadian Amateur Championships in 2011 and 2012. Notably earned the victories over future PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners (T3 in 2011, 4th in 2012) and Taylor Pendrith (T20 in 2011, T5 in 2012).

Represented Canada at the 2012 World Amateur Team Championship (Eisenhower Trophy) with Corey Conners and Albin Choi. Canada finished T6, while a United States team featuring Justin Thomas won the title.