Nina Caldwell
Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as Old Tom Morris, was a Scottish golfer born on June 16, 1821, in St Andrews, Fife. He began playing golf at the age of ten and started caddying soon after. At the age of 14, he was hired as an apprentice to Allan Robertson, who is regarded as the world's first professional golfer. Morris lived through a transformative era for the sport, from knocking wine-bottle corks with homemade clubs to the advent of gutta-percha balls. He became a legendary figure in golf, winning the Open Championship four times and holding the record for the oldest winner at 46 years old in 1867. Morris also played a significant role in course design, creating or redesigning numerous golf courses across the British Isles. He died on May 24, 1908, in his hometown of St Andrews, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Mitchell Morris |
| Date of Birth | 16 June 1821 |
| Date of Death | 24 May 1908 |
| Place of Birth | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Place of Death | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Occupation | Golfer, Greenskeeper, Golf Course Designer, Golf Club and Ball Manufacturer |
| Apprentice to | Allan Robertson |
| Apprentice Years | 1837-1849 |
| Open Championship Wins | 4 |
| Father | John Morris |
| Son | Young Tom Morris |
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What You'll Learn
- Thomas Mitchell Morris was born on 16 June 1821 in St Andrews, Scotland
- He was an apprentice to Allan Robertson, the world's first professional golfer
- Morris was a four-time Open Championship winner
- He was a golf course designer and founded a golf club and ball business
- Morris died on 24 May 1908, aged 87
Thomas Mitchell Morris was born on 16 June 1821 in St Andrews, Scotland
Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as "Old Tom Morris" and "The Grand Old Man of Golf", was born on 16 June 1821 in St Andrews, Scotland. St Andrews, also known as the "home of golf", was where Morris took his first steps into the world of the sport that would come to define his life.
At the age of ten, Morris began playing golf by knocking wine-bottle corks pierced with nails (serving as balls) around the streets of St Andrews with a homemade club. These informal matches against other youths were known as "sollybodkins". As he grew older, Morris started caddying and playing golf more seriously. By the age of fourteen, he was hired as an apprentice to Allan Robertson, who is regarded as the world's first professional golfer. Robertson ran the St Andrews Links and an equipment-making business. Morris served as an apprentice for four years and then as a journeyman for another five years, learning the craft of golf club making and feather-stuffed ball production under Robertson's mentorship.
Morris's talent for golf was evident from an early age, and he soon became a standout player. He formed a formidable partnership with Robertson, and the two were known for their unbeatable team matches. However, they had a falling out in 1848 due to their differing opinions on the new gutta-percha balls, which threatened Robertson's business. Despite this, they quickly reconciled and continued to dominate the golf scene.
Morris went on to have a remarkable career in golf, both as a player and a course designer. He won the Open Championship four times, including setting a record as the oldest winner at 46 years old in 1867. He also held the record for the largest margin of victory in a major championship with a 13-stroke win in the 1862 Open Championship. Morris played a significant role in designing golf courses across the British Isles, including Prestwick, Royal Dornoch, and Carnoustie.
Old Tom Morris passed away on 24 May 1908, leaving behind a legacy that cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in the history of golf.
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He was an apprentice to Allan Robertson, the world's first professional golfer
Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as Old Tom Morris, was a Scottish golfer born on 16 June 1821 in St Andrews, Fife. He was the son of a weaver and started playing golf at the age of ten. By the time he was fourteen, he was hired as an apprentice to Allan Robertson, who is widely regarded as the world's first professional golfer. Robertson ran the St Andrews Links and an equipment-making business.
Morris served as an apprentice for four years and a journeyman for five years under Robertson, who was the world's top player at the time. Robertson often chose Morris as his partner in challenge matches, which were played by alternate shot format and were the principal form of competition. The two were known as \"The Invincibles\" and were said to have never lost a team match played on even terms. Robertson taught Morris a great deal about being a golf professional, and their close friendship extended beyond the golf course.
Robertson was five years older than Morris, and their partnership was lucrative. They played together in exhibition matches and were dubbed invincible, with few accounts of them losing on an even set match. Morris won his first cash sum in 1842, and it is believed that he aspired to make a career in golf. Robertson, as his employer and mentor, likely provided support and guidance.
However, Morris and Robertson had a falling out in 1848 when Morris was fired for using the new gutta percha golf ball ("guttie"), which threatened Robertson's featherie golf ball business. Despite this, they reconciled and continued to play in challenge matches together. Their partnership was not only successful but also financially rewarding, as they were considered the best golfers in the world at the time.
Robertson's golfing ability brought him true repute, with punters and spectators declaring him the best golfer in the world. His death in 1859 sparked the formation of The Open, as it was decided that a new Champion Golfer should be crowned. Morris went on to have a significant impact on the game of golf, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of golf.
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Morris was a four-time Open Championship winner
Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as Old Tom Morris, was a Scottish golfer born in St Andrews, Fife, on June 16, 1821. He died on May 24, 1908, in the same town, which is considered the "home of golf". Morris began playing golf at the age of ten, and by fourteen, he was hired as an apprentice to Allan Robertson, the world's first professional golfer.
Morris held the record for the largest margin of victory in a major championship, winning the 1862 Open Championship by 13 strokes. This record stood until 2000 when Tiger Woods won the US Open by 15 strokes.
Morris was also instrumental in beginning The Open Championship in 1860 and went on to win it four times in the next seven years. In 1868, his 17-year-old son, Young Tom Morris, ended his reign, becoming the youngest Open winner in history. Young Tom made his Open debut in 1865 at the age of 14 and grew up playing at Prestwick, where his father worked as a club professional and greenkeeper.
The father-son duo frequently competed as partners, winning most of their matches. They played exhibition matches together across Scotland and parts of England, challenging the established structure of competition at the time. They were also the first players to insist on receiving money upfront before a match, setting the foundation for appearance money in the sport.
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He was a golf course designer and founded a golf club and ball business
Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as Old Tom Morris and The Grand Old Man of Golf, was born in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, in 1821. He was a renowned golfer and golf course designer, as well as a golf equipment maker.
Morris started playing golf at the age of ten, using homemade clubs and wine-bottle corks as balls. He left school at the age of 13 and soon became an apprentice to Allan Robertson, who is often regarded as the world's first professional golfer. Robertson owned a shop in St Andrews, where he made and sold golf clubs and balls. Morris served as an apprentice for four years and then as a journeyman for five years.
In 1846, Morris played with a new type of golf ball, the gutta-percha, which threatened Robertson's business of making featherie balls. As a result, Robertson fired Morris, who then started his own golf equipment business in 1848. Morris opened his first golf shop at 15 The Links in St Andrews, which he ran until 1851. That year, he took up the position of greenkeeper at Prestwick Golf Club, where he designed, maintained, and played on the course.
Morris introduced many innovations in golf course design and greenskeeping, including standardising the length of a golf course to 18 holes, using lawn mowers to cut putting greens, and strategically placing hazards that golfers could navigate around. He designed or remodelled numerous golf courses across the British Isles, including Prestwick, the Old Course at St Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Portrush, and Carnoustie.
Morris also continued his golf equipment business alongside his course design work. In 1864, he returned to St Andrews as the Keeper of the Green and started his second golf shop at 8 Golf Place. He later moved to 6 Pilmour Links and took over another golf shop at 8 The Links, which became known as the Tom Morris Golf Shop.
Throughout his career, Morris was a prolific golfer, winning The Open Championship multiple times between 1861 and 1867. He also formed a successful golfing duo with his son, Young Tom Morris, until his son's untimely death in 1875. Morris passed away in 1908, just before his 87th birthday, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of golf.
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Morris died on 24 May 1908, aged 87
Thomas Mitchell Morris, known as Old Tom Morris and The Grand Old Man of Golf, was born on 16 June 1821 in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. He was a Scottish golfer who won the Open Championship four times. He was also a greenskeeper and a golf architect.
Morris began playing golf at the age of ten, knocking wine-bottle corks pierced with nails (serving as balls) around the streets of St Andrews using a homemade club. He started caddying and playing golf from a young age and was hired as an apprentice at the age of 14 to Allan Robertson, regarded as the world's first professional golfer. Morris served four years as an apprentice and five years as a journeyman under Robertson, who was the top player in the world from about 1843 until his death in 1859.
Morris passed away on 24 May 1908, at the age of 87. His funeral procession extended the entire length of South Street in St Andrews, from the port to the cathedral. He is buried in St Andrews Cathedral, and his grave attracts thousands of golfers each year who wish to pay homage to the golfing hero.
Old Tom Morris is considered the father of golf as it is played today all over the world. He was also a pioneer in course design, producing or redesigning about 75 golf courses. He was involved in the founding of the Prestwick Golf Club and was a keeper of the greens there before returning to St Andrews in 1865 to take up the position of greenkeeper at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. He also established a club-making shop overlooking the 18th green on the Old Course, a hole now named after him.
Morris holds two records in the Open Championship: he is the oldest winner at 46 in 1867, and he had the largest winning margin of 13 strokes in 1862. He played in every Open Championship until 1895, when he was 74.
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Frequently asked questions
Thomas Mitchell Morris, also known as Old Tom Morris, was born on 16 June 1821.
Old Tom Morris died on 24 May 1908 at the age of 87.
Old Tom Morris lived to be 87 years old, and he died in the same town he was born in, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
