Tom Morris
Tom Morris - A Famous Scottish Golfer
"Grand old man of golf"
Tom Morris (1821-1908) Born in St Andrews, Morris received an elementary education at the town's Madras College, and was apprenticed to the golf ball-maker Allan Robertson.After his marriage and a move to Prestwick in 1851 to lay out the links, Morris continued his trade of golf ball- and golfclub-making. Morris was appointed green-keeper of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, in 1865, and played a large part in the spread of golf as St Andrews became the centre for golfers from all over the world. Morris had started to play golf around the age of six and soon became a top player, rivalled only by Willie Park Snr of Musselburgh. In 1860 Morris only failed by one stroke to defeat Park in the first Open Championship. Morris won the championship belt - which was played for over the links at Prestwick for 11 years - in 1861-2, 1864 and 1867. Eventually he was overtaken by his son Tommy ('Young Tom') who was champion in 1868 at the age of 17; Tommy held the championship belt until 1870 when he achieved its outright ownership. 'Old Tom' Morris held the job of green-keeper at St Andrews until 1903 and remained in great demand to lay out courses for other clubs.
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