The Scrapbook of Old Tom Morris
Tom Morris (4 Open's.)
1821 - 1908
Click to view autograph gallery
Thomas Mitchell Morris (16 June 1821 – 24 May 1908), otherwise known as Old Tom Morris , was a Scottish golfer. He was born inSt Andrews,Fife, the "home of golf" and location of theSt Andrews Links, and died there as well.Young Tom Morris (died 1875), also a golfer, was his son.
Morris was the son of a weaver, and began golf by age ten, by knocking wine-bottle corks pierced with nails (to serve as balls) around the streets of the town using a homemade club, in informal matches against other youths; this was known as 'sillybodkins'. He started caddying and playing golf from a young age, and formally was hired as an apprentice at age 14 to Allan Robertson, generally regarded as the world's first professional golfer; Robertson ran the St Andrews Links and an equipment-making business. Morris served four years as apprentice and a further five years as journeyman under Robertson, by most accounts the world's top player from about 1843 until his death in 1859.
From the early 1840s, Robertson often chose Morris as his partner in challenge matches, played by alternate shot format, which were the principal form of competition at that time. It was said the two never lost a team match played on even terms. The team became known as "The Invincibles". By the time Morris was in his early 20s he was the second-best player in St. Andrews, close to Robertson in golf skill, and won an informal match from him over the Old Course in 1843, but the two players rarely played seriously head-to-head. As Robertson's employee, Morris was in somewhat of an awkward position.[2]
Morris worked under Robertson at St Andrews until 1851, when he was fired on the spot after being caught by Robertson playing the new guttie golf ball; Robertson had a profitable business making the featherie ball, which was threatened by the emergence of the guttie. Morris was then hired by Prestwick Golf Club, which was just starting up. At Prestwick, he designed, laid out, and maintained the course, ran his own golf equipment business selling gutties and clubs, gave instruction to players, and ran events. He was influential in beginning The Open Championship in 1860, and struck the very first shot in that event.
Morris returned to St Andrews as greenkeeper and professional in 1865, at a then-generous salary of ₤50 per year. He was sought out by the Royal and Ancient, which formally passed a motion in 1864 calling for his rehiring. St Andrews was then in very poor condition, and his first task was to correct this. He did so by widening the fairways, enlarging the greens, applying greenkeeping techniques he had developed at Prestwick, building two new greens (on holes 1 and 18), and "managing" the hazards. He stayed in the post until 1903, a total of 39 years, and was kept on afterward by the R & A at full salary.[3]
Morris worked as a greenkeeper, clubmaker, ballmaker, golf instructor, and course designer, as well as playing match and tournament golf. He came second in the first Open Championship in 1860, and won the following year. He followed this up with further victories in 1862, 1864 and 1867. He still holds the record as the oldest winner of The Open Championship at 46. Also, he was part of the only father/son couple being winner and runner-up.[4]
Morris held the record for the largest margin of victory in a major championship (14 strokes in the 1862 Open Championship), which stood until Tiger Woods won the 2000 US Open by 15 strokes. He became the second player to break 80 over the Old Course, scoring 79; Robertson had been the first to do it. Once his son Young Tom Morris became an accomplished player in his own right by his mid-teens, in the mid-1860s, father and son formed a team for challenge matches, usually played by alternate shot (foursomes play), where they proved very successful. Their partnership, although not exclusive, would continue until the death of Young Tom in 1875.[3]
Morris played a role in designing courses across the British Isles. He began by assisting Robertson lay out ten holes at Carnoustie in 1842. His subsequent work included Kinghorn Golf Club in 1887, Prestwick, Muirfield, Machrihanish, the Jubilee Course at St Andrews, Balcomie at Crail, Moray, Askernish in South Uist, Lahinch and Rosapenna in Ireland, Warkworth and Royal North Devon Golf Club (Westward Ho!) in England, King Edward Bay Golf Club in the Isle of Man and the Castletown Golf Club in the Isle of Man.[5]
The simple grave of Old Tom Morris, St Andrews Cathedral churchyard
Morris was also the father of modern greenkeeping. He introduced the concept of top-dressing greens with sand, which significantly helped turf growth. He introduced many novel ideas on turf and course management, including actively managing hazards (in the past, bunkers and the like were largely left to their own devices, becoming truly "hazardous") and yardage markers. He was the first to use a push mower to cut greens. He improved play at St Andrews by widening fairways to handle increased play, improving greens, and establishing separate teeing areas on each hole; all of these measures spread out play over larger areas, and led to better turf conditions. He created a new first green on the Old Course, and was responsible for the initial design of the New Course 1895 and Jubilee course in 1897. He also introduced the modern idea of placing hazards so that the golf ball could be routed around them; this was the beginning of strategic design, which has dominated golf course design ever since. Before his time hazards were thought of as obstacles that either had to be carried or were there to punish a wayward ball.[5]
Morris kept working right up until his death, just before his 87th birthday. He died after falling down a flight of stairs in the clubhouse of the New Golf Club in St Andrews.
He is buried against the eastern wall of the churchyard of St Andrew's Cathedral. The grave is simple but stands beneath the highly notable monument to his son, Young Tom Morris, which carries a bronze statue of the golfer in high relief against a white background, and is visible across the breadth of the churchyard. His grave attracts thousands of golfers each year who wish to pay homage to this golfing hero.
Allan Robertson. Golfer. His Life and Times.
England: Grant, 1985. 92p. Cloth. Slipcase. Limited edition. 860/1055 Important and only Biography to date of this great man born in 1815 and regarded as the greatest golfer, unbeaten match player. The Open Championship was founded after the passing of Allan to determine the next best golfer, without Allan we..... More
1921 Open autographs All competitors!!
Autograph's St. Andrews 1921 Open
St. Andrews: Non, 1921. Every now and again an item comes along with the WOW factor, Fine Golf Books are proud to offer this special collection of all autographs of every competitor to play the June 20-21st qualifiying and hence the Open itself, to date the by far strongest ever..... More
Life Association of Scotland Golfing Calendar titled "Tom Morris"
Brown, Michael James (artist)
Edinburgh: Scottish Life, 1908. original 1908 Life Association of Scotland Golfing Calendar centre titled image of "Tom Morris". BROWN, MICHAEL JAMES (1853-1947), painted a golfing scene annually for Life association, this being the scarce 1908 Tom Morris. More
Moments with Golfing Masters.
Browning, Robert H.K.
London: Methuen, 1932. 100p, cloth. Very fine copy in likewise and quiet rare dust jacket. Many famous players quoted on their techniques. It was ' Young Tom' Morris who in the old days first astonished the world by using a niblick to pitch the ball up to the pin and..... More
The Golfer's Manual, Previously The Golfer's Handbook.
Forgan, Robert.
London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton Kent and Co., 1907. 100 + [4] ad pp. Illustrated with plates from photos, including a frontispiece portrait of Old Tom Morris. 7¼x4¾, gilt-lettered green cloth. Seventh Edition. The author founded a famous club-making firm in St Andrews and his old shop is still open as..... More
The Scrapbook of Old Tom Morris.
Joy, David.
Chelsea, Michigan: Sleeping Bear Press, 2001. 229p. decorative simulated leather. Inspired by the original scrapbook discovered by Peter Crabtree, this is a treasure of images of Old Tom and very collectable. Signed by author. More
The Evolution of the Links at The Royal County Down Golf Club
Latham, Richard A.
Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire: Radial Sports Publishing, 2006. 152p. Illustrated cloth. Foreword, Mr Harry McCaw Into. plus 10 Chapters, the by far most detailed look at the Royal County Down's famous course, having been the home of the club since 1889, Old Tom Morris design, and ranked frequently the No.1 course in..... More
Tom Morris of St Andrews "The Colossus of Golf 1821-1908"
Malcolm, David and Crabtree Peter E.
Ballater, Royal Deeside, Scotland: Glengarden Press, 2008. 384p 1st edition. St Andrews edition, limited edition, unspecified number published in cloth. Colour plates, illustrated end papers. The Full leather subscribers edition of 87 copies and the quarter leather Keeper of the Green edition of 395 copies sold out along time ago. Fifteen..... More
Tom Morris of St Andrews "The Colossus of Golf 1821-1908"
Malcolm, David and Crabtree Peter E.
Ballater, Royal Deeside, Scotland: Glengarden Press, 2008. 384p 1st edition. Quarter leather Keeper of the Green edition of number 376 of 395 copies, signed by Peter Crabtree. Colour plates, illustrated end papers. Both the Full leather subscribers edition of 87 copies and the quarter leather Keeper of the Green edition..... More
Tain Golf Club 1890-1990
McGregor, Ian
Tain, Scotland: Privately Printed, 1990. 96p 1st ed. illus. wrapps. Laid out by Tom Morris and similar terrain as Royal Dornoch. D&J M22120. More
Blairgowrie Golf Club 1889-1989
McIntosh, Alex
Dundee: Privately Printed, 1989. 84p. illustrated wrappers. Noted amateur golfer Peter Chalmer's (1825-1911) was instrumental in founding the golf club in 1889 and laid out its first nine holes. Tom Morris said it is the 'finest inland green'. More
A History of Golf
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2017. 156p. illustrated cloth. The book authored by McStravick and designed by award winning graphic designer Chic Harper, takes in a warm and inviting fashion the ancient and modern History of the game, from Chapter 1. The Dawn of the Golfing age, through to..... More
Little Tommy Morris
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2017. 32p. illustrated wrappers. Originally a story for his children, but locally encouraged to publish, illustrated by Maria Amelia Randall. The book authored by McStravick and designed by award winning graphic designer Chic Harper, tells how Little Tommy becomes a giant of the game in..... More
St Andrews The Road War Papers
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2020. 322pp. illustrated, gatefold (French flaps) stiff wrappers. Limited edition signed and numbered 300 only. Forewords David Hamilton, Pete Georgiady and Hon Lord Burns (David Burns) Authored by McStravick and designed by award winning graphic designer Chic Harper, a full three years in the making..... More
St Andrews The Road War Papers (U.S.G.A. Herbert Warren Wind Award 2020, WINNER!)
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2020. 322p. illustrated, Limited edition signed and numbered 9 copies only. Very special publication, slipcase bound, simulated leather, embossed with the U.S.G.A. winner award 2020 This is the second book hot of the heels of In the Footsteps of Ols Tom Morris, McStravick has..... More
St Andrews The Road War Papers, + In The Footsteps of Old Tom Morris
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2020. Two book set, both Limited editions of 300 copies only. Regular Price £157 and £99 =£256 Set price = £219.00 The Road War Papers 322pp. illustrated, gatefold (french flaps) stiff wrappers. Limited edition signed and numbered 300 only. Forewords David Hamilton, Pete Georgiady and Hon Lord..... More
St Andrews The Road War Papers, In The Footsteps of Old Tom Morris + 3 other McStravick's
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2020. Five book "McPack" set; Limited edition of 300 copies only, St Andrews The Road War Papers 1821 edition, In The Footsteps of Old Tom Morris A History of Golf (See individual descriptions). Tommy Morris Comfort Blanket Regular Price £218 Set = £189.00 The Road War Papers 322pp. illustrated, gatefold (french..... More
St. Andrews A Comfort Blanket for The Hapless Golfer
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2018. 272p. illustrated wrappers. The book authored by McStravick and designed by award winning graphic designer Chic Harper. A must have for anyone visiting St. Andrews and a must have to read regardless! Very Entertaining, honest inside knowledge of how the town takes care of..... More
St. Andrews in the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris (Limited edition)
McStravick, Roger
St. Andrews: St. Andrews Golf Press, 2016. 278p. illustrated cloth. limited edition 300 copies only. numbered and signed. Foreword, His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, the Duke of Kent. Further forewords, Peter Crabtree (author of Tom Morris The Colossus), Angela Howe, R&A Golf Hertitage Secretary. Research is the key to this title..... More
Tom Morris Photograph.
Postcard.
London and Glasgow: Millar and Lang, Art Publishers, 1906. Scarce Tom Morris card, Tom posing below Granny Clarks Wynd with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews clubhouse in the background. THIS CARD WAS POSTED IN St.ANDREWS IN 1906, AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. More
Prestwick Golf Club, A History and Some Records
Shaw, James E.
Glasgow: Jackson, Son & Co., 1938. 144p. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Illustrated from photographs and drawings, including frontispiece, and with 5 large folding plans of the links and grounds in the back. 25x18.3 cm. (10x7½"), gilt-lettered red cloth, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. First Edition. History of the famed links..... More
The Art of Golf.
Simpson, Walter G.
Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1892. 186p. quarter leather cloth. Second edition revised. One of the all time classic books in the whole Golf Library. Hard to find in its original condition the brown leather spine is often replaced due to a poor quality. There is a chip to the top of..... More
The Scrapbook of Old Tom Morris
Source: https://www.finegolfbooks.com/pages/author/326/tom-morris
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