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Old Tom Morris (1821 -
1908) is the most
influential figure in the early (pre-1900) history of
golf.
He was a great player, club-maker, greens-keeper and
course designer.
Morris was born in St.
Andrews and apprenticed himself to Allan Robertson,
considered by
golf historians to be the first golf professional.
Robertson made "featherie" balls, and taught Morris the
trade.
The two often paired together in matches, and according
to legend, were never beaten.
When the gutta percha ball
arrived on the scene, however, the two split.
Robertson demanded that Morris join him in condemning
the new ball, thus protecting the "featherie" business.
Morris recognized the "guttie" as the future, and left
Robertson's side in 1849.
Morris left St. Andrews to
join Prestwick, where he served as "keeper of the
greens."
Prestwick hosted the first British Open in 1860, where
Morris finished second.
But Morris would win four Open Championships during the
decade.
In
1865, he returned to St. Andrews as greens-keeper - a
position he held until 1904 -
and established a club-making shop near the 18th green.
The 18th green is today named in honour of Old Tom
Morris.
Morris pioneered many of
what are now considered the first modern approaches to
greens-keeping.
He also was one of the first great course designers,
taking a role in designing or remodelling
around 75 courses according to the World Golf Hall of
Fame.
Among those Old Tom helped
shape are Prestwick, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield,
Carnoustie, Royal County Down,
Nairn and Cruden Bay - still some of the most famous
golf courses in the world.
Old Tom Morris still holds
two British Open records: oldest champion (age 46 in
1867) and
largest margin of victory (13 in 1862). He played in
every British Open until 1895.
Morris' son, Tom Jnr, (1851 - 1875) would
win four British Opens himself.
Tom Jnr.
died on Christmas Day 1875, just a few
months after his wife and child died during childbirth.
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