Born and bred in St. Andrews in the Scottish kingdom of Fife, Tom Mitchell Morris’ life was golf.
At the age of 14, in 1835, he was apprenticed to Allan Robertson – widely regarded as the game’s first professional – learning the skills to make featherie balls and clubs, while also caddying for R&A members. When paired together on the course, the master and his apprentice were unbeatable.
Morris was by Robertson’s side when he oversaw the building of an original 10-hole layout, which would later become Carnoustie.
But Morris and Robertson had a huge falling out when the protégé beat his mentor in a match, which was only further complicated when Morris chose to use the then new gutta percha ball. Robertson demanded he play with the more expensive featherie, which were being made in his workshop.
In 1851, the now Old Tom Morris (he become Old Tom when Young Tom Morris was born in 1842) left St. Andrews to become keeper of the greens at Prestwick – a 12-hole layout where he would go on to win four of the first eight Open Championships.
Four years after Robertson died in 1859, Old Tom returned to St. Andrews to take over the keeping of the Old Course, which had drifted into decline in the years following Robertson’s death. After more than 400 years of existence, Old Tom’s return marked the beginning of the Old Course as it is known today.
Now aged in his mid-40s and with years of experience behind him, Old Tom applied his design and greenkeeping skills to the Old Course. He built new greens
