The story of Old Tom Morris - The Glenmuir Journal

We take a look at the life of golfing legend Old Tom Morris, from his illustrious playing career to his course designs, and his connections with Lanark - the home of Glenmuir.

Tom had a hand in redesigning the Old Course

Often seen as one of the founding fathers of golf, Tom Morris was not only a great player and amazing course designer, he was, by all accounts, a thoroughly nice chap. Loved by all who met him, he was humble in victory, kindly to others and a great father to Tom Morris Jnr.

But let’s start at the beginning…

Playing career

From his youth on the streets of the home of golf – St Andrews – Tom Morris Snr had a passion for the game that led him to caddying. And he picked the right man to caddy for – Alan Robertson, thought to be the first professional golfer, and manager of the St Andrews Links.

Through his teenage years, Tom often played alongside Robertson in challenge matches, learning his craft from the master. And by the time he was in his 20s, he had nearly become his match.

Over the years, as Tom worked at a number of different courses, helping in their design and running, he began to make his name as a player.

But it wasn’t until his 39^th birthday in 1860 that he broke through, coming second in the first Open, which he played an integral part in setting up. In fact, he was the first player to strike a ball in an Open. The following year he went one better and won the Championship.

From then on, he was the player to beat, winning again in 1862, 1864 and 1867. This final victory put him in the record books as the oldest ever winner – a record he still holds to this day. Though he wouldn’t win the Open again, he went on to play in a massive 36 competitions.

One of his ‘guttie’ balls is tested by James Braid. PA Archive.

Course design

While he holds records for his feats as a player, Tom Morris was also a renowned designer and manager of golf courses, transforming clubs like the Old Course into the places they are today.

While working and playing with Robertson, the pair had a falling out over golf balls, of all things. Morris wanted to try the new ‘guttie’ ball, while Robertson manufactured the old ‘featherie’ balls. After the split, Morris moved on from St Andrews and headed to Prestwick in 1851.

At the time, the club was just starting out and Morris was drafted in to run the place, design the layout and maintain the course. And to rub salt in the wounds of his former partner, Morris started selling equipment – including ‘gutties’ – from the club. It was here the first British Open was played in 1860.

He returned to St Andrews in 1865 after a plea from the Royal & Ancient. Here, he turned around the crumbling club and course by widening the fairways, enlarging the greens and applying the knowledge gained at Prestwick.

From there, he went from strength to strength, and course-to-course having a hand in the design and running of clubs like Muirfield, Balcomie at Crail, Moray and even the Royal North Devon Golf Club.

The inscription on Tom Morris’ son’s grave. Rebecca Naden/PA Archive

He even had a part in the design of Glenmuir’s local club in Lanark. Just 6 years after the formation of Glenmuir in 1891 in the small town of Kirkfieldbank, Morris turned up at Lanark Golf Club, a mere 3 miles away.

Here Morris was employed to lay out the 18-holes for the locals, which no doubt included a number of Glenmuir employees. And the connection between two of the greatest names in golf was formed.