Room 5. Tom Morris Sr

Tom Morris sr, 1821-1908, st andrews, scotland.

Born in the golf town of St Andrews, Morris was a professional golf pioneer. Even son Tom Morris Jr. was the masterful golfer. Morris was an apprentice to Ballan Allan Robertson, who is considered the first professional golfer. There he worked as a featherball maker, greenkeeper, club maker and track architect. In addition to his work, he also played golf competitions. At the transition from the spring ball to the gutta-ball, a break occurred between the two. Robertson was one of the biggest manufacturers of spring ball but Morris preferred the new ball which was not accepted by Robertson. Morris came second after Willie Park in the first edition of The Open Championship in 1860 and won the following year.
He followed this up with victories in 1862, 1864 and 1867. He still has the record as the oldest winner, 46 years, in the history of the competition and also has the record over the biggest victory margin, 13 strokes, in 1862. Among the golf courses that Morris has designed are including Muirfield, Prestwick and Carnoustie. During his lifetime, Old Tom Morris participated in the construction and rebuilding of 75 golf courses, many of which are regarded as the world’s best in modern times. In 1865, Tom Morris returned to St Andrews where he tenderly nurtured the greens until he retired in 1904. The Old Tom Morris life’s work for the Gulf is unparalleled. The 18th hole at St Andrews carries his name.