Old Tom's Five to Find
BY ED HODGE
3 MINS READ
Golf and the movies. At times, a dubious combination, yet Tommy’s Honour thankfully stands out for all the right reasons. An historical drama depicting the lives, careers and often complex relationship between two pioneering Scottish champions – Old Tom Morris and his son, Young Tom Morris.
Both need little introduction to golf aficionados, with young Tom blazing a winning trail for far too few years until his death at the tender age of 24 on Christmas Day in 1875. Yet, it is to ‘Old Tom’ where we turn.
On that tragic day in 1875, Old Tom was 54 and had savoured tremendous feats himself in the early era of golf competition. A four-time Open champion, he was ‘Keeper of the Green’ at Prestwick from 1851 – 1865 and then ‘Custodian of the Links’ at St Andrews. He was instrumental in transforming Prestwick on the west coast – venue of the first Open in 1860 – to the Old Course over in the east from primitive layouts to modern venues.
Prestwick GC
A pioneer of modern agronomic techniques, Old Tom was influential in the creation of many standards in the sport, including the 18-hole course, the use of separate tee boxes and the metal ringed hole. Renowned around the world as the ‘Grandfather of Golf’, the St Andrews native also introduced top-dressing greens with sand to aid turf growth and was the first to use a push mower to cut greens. Course design also became a passion.
The Old Course, St Andrews
Working virtually up to his death, aged 86, in 1908, he designed or remodelled around 60 courses, including some which today stand as the finest across the British Isles. Carnoustie, Lahinch, Machrihanish, Muirfield, Nairn, Royal County Down, Royal Dornoch, Royal North Devon and Royal Portrush are among a formidable list, aided by his guiding hand.
For the wandering, intrepid golfer, though, the thrill is in the chase. Beyond the famed championship tests, he put his name to a vast array of layouts with their own unique charms and are well worth a visiting day out. Stretching across Scotland, here are five to find from Old Tom’s lengthy list…
Crieff GC, Perthshire
A product of the golfing boom between 1880 and 1909, Crieff was established in 1891 after Morris carved out a nine-hole course from what was East Ledbowie Park. Today’s Ferntower Course is rated as one of Scotland’s top inland venues and is well worth the pleasant journey to escape city life in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, at the heart of golfing Perthshire, it provides a challenge on gently sloping fairways, as well as spectacular views. Don’t forget the sister Dornock Course either, a lovely 9-hole test at 2,270 yards.
Cullen Links GC, Moray
Morris came north from St Andrews to find the same sandy soil and turf at Cullen Links. Situated halfway between Royal Dornoch and Royal Aberdeen on the renowned Moray Firth coastline, this is a design from golfing history, with the word ‘fun’ at its heart. Cullen was founded in 1870 and Old Tom laid out its first nine holes. It was extended to 18 by Charles Neaves and measures only 4,623 yards with a par of 63. A traditional seaside links, its shortness in length is largely down to its proximity to the water, with the par-3 7th the signature hole.
Forfar GC, Angus
Interestingly, Forfar was the world’s first course to be originally set out with an 18-hole configuration. Initially created by Old Tom in 1871, later redesigned by James Braid in 1926, it is a beautifully presented and carefully maintained course, with echoes of Gleneagles amid the towering pines and heathland whin and broom. It presents unique challenges to golfers of all standards, with a premium on accuracy. Old Tom was bestowed as an Honorary Member and visited many times to play.
Moray GC, Moray
Part of the very appeal of Moray is a typical journey to reach it, situated in Lossiemouth approximately an hour’s drive east of Inverness. The views down the 1st and back up the 18th are worth any car miles. The club was founded in 1889, with the Old Course laid out by Old Tom who became a frequent visitor and played a number of exhibition matches in the early years. A classic links with deep revetted bunkers, it is complimented by the New Course.
Prestwick St Nicholas GC, Ayrshire
Prestwick is synonymous with golf, given its connections to The Open, with the St Nicholas Club enjoying a place in history too. The 26th oldest Club in the world, Old Tom was a founding/honorary member of the club, occupying a delightful spot on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. The deep bunkers, running fairways and undulating greens test the skills of all players, with a playable yardage of some 6,044 yards, par 69. It is a proud boast of the Club that Morris won three of his four Open titles as a St Nicholas member, whilst he was employed by Prestwick Golf Club.