Old Tom Morris
The Keeper of the Greens
One of
the first real golf professionals and undoubtedly the most successful
of his era was Old Tom Morris. As well as being an outstanding
player, he was actively involved in club making, and course
maintenance in the St. Andrews area around the 1840's. His move
to Prestwick Golf Club in 1851 to become "Keeper of the Greens"
brought him a wage of 15 shillings per week. Old Tom was instrumental
in helping to launch the Open Championship in 1860 for "The
Belt" (a handsome red leather belt commissioned from goldsmiths
in Edinburgh at a cost of £25). Eight players entered and played
36 holes (three rounds over Prestwick's 12-hole course) and
the winning professional was Willie Park of Musselburgh. Old
Tom finished second, a stroke behind, but went on to win "The
Open" four times in the next seven years. On returning to St.
Andrews where he continued as a golf professional, Old Tom became
increasingly involved in golf course design and construction.
His courses include Prestwick, Royal County Down, the New Course
at St. Andrews and Muirfield His name will always be assossiated
with the development of golf in the 19th and early 20th century.Tom
Morris died in 1908 at the age of 87.
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