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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

Tom Morris is a name known to golf aficionados the world over. Arguably the most talented individual in every aspect of the game during its important developmental years of the 19th century, Morris is considered by many to be the father of golf as we know it today.

Prestwick was the first redesign project undertaken by Old Tom Morris in 1851.

Born in St. Andrews in 1821, at the age of 18 Tom Morris was apprenticed to Allan Robertson, the world's first professional golfer and a noted maker of golf clubs and feathery golf balls. In the mid 1840's Robertson was awarded the task of making alterations to the links at Carnoustie, Tom Morris accompanied Robertson and assisted in the job, his first involvement with golf architecture.

In 1851 Morris was offered the position of Keeper of the Greens at Prestwick Golf Club, his responsibilities to include transforming the rudimentary Prestwick links into a challenging golf course of the first order. His transformation completed, Prestwick was quickly acknowledged as one of the best championship courses in the land. The course was good enough to host the first dozen of what would become known as The Open Championships, four of which, Prestwick's Keeper of the Greens would win.

Tom Morris designed Royal Dornoch's extension to 18 holes in 1886.

Keeping things in the family, Morris' son, Young Tom, would win another three Open Championships, but Old Tom had his sights set on other things, in particular golf architecture.

In 1865, Old Tom Morris returned to his hometown of St. Andrews to become Keeper of the Greens at the home of golf with total responsibility for the course, it's maintenance and further development. This brave move by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club allowed Old Tom to not only improve the course that had sat here for 400 years, but ultimately, influence the future of golf.

The project of improving the St. Andrews Course would take forty years, during which time Morris massaged and fine-tuned what is today known as The Old Course, into the finest layout in existence.

Machrihanish's world renowned 1st hole comes courtesy of Old Tom Morris.

Much of the rough, composed largely of gorse was removed and fairways widened, giving players more options on the approach to each hole. The small double greens were enlarged to better accommodate play from both directions and many of the excessive slopes reduced, making the course a much fairer challenge. Morris also improved the quality of greens through the use of sand and allowing earthworms to survive, creating the very first form of aeration through the wormholes.

Greens were relocated and bunkers better positioned and it was Old Tom, the first golf agronomist, who realized the course needed rest, even if golfers did not. It was he who insisted on closing the course to play on Sundays, a tradition that continues to this day.

Cruden Bay was a combined effort of Old Tom and Archie Simpson.

It was Morris's work at St. Andrews and his innovative approach to course design and maintenance that so impressed the golfing gentry and truly launched his architectural career.

First the nearby Leven Golf Club called upon his services to improve their 9-hole layout, later calling Old Tom back to extend the course to a full 18-holes. Neighboring Lundin Links did the same under Morris' supervision in 1865.

During an architectural career which extended for 50 years, Old Tom Morris was involved in the design or redesign of more than 70 courses in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles - his distinctive mark has been left on all.

Muirfield is a Tom Morris original and a regular Open venue since 1892 .

From some of the most recognizable names in golf, such as Muirfield, St. Andrews (Old, New and Jubilee) Royal Dornoch, Carnoustie, Machrihanish, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush Nairn and Cruden Bay, to names less familiar, all are available for visitors to play. It is perhaps among the less famous Old Tom Morris courses, where the true gems of Scotland's golf are to be found.

Tain, West Kilbride, Machrie, Blairgowrie, Moray, Luffness New, Crail, Elie and Panmure among many others, have never been in the spotlight, but in the home of golf, with its profusion of excellent courses, that is understandable. Don't let any lack of fame deter you from adding any Old Tom Morris course to your itinerary. No other golf architect has ever been able to duplicate the ingenuity and creativity of design of the Grand Old Man of Golf.

Crail's Balcomie Links is one of Old Tom's wonderful designs that remains a stranger to many visitors.

Great artists are seldom recognized or fully appreciated during their lifetime and although Old Tom Morris was accepted during his active years as a great designer, true worldwide recognition has taken a little longer. It has been almost 100 years since Old Tom died in 1908, during which time more and more golfers have come to experience and appreciate his brilliance.

With the approaching centenary of his passing, steps are being taken to memorialize the man, his contribution to the game of golf and his well-earned place of honor in golf history. The Old Tom Morris Society is beginning to take shape under the determined leadership of Joanna Bell, secretary of Tain Golf Club.

Joined by representatives of other Old Tom Morris courses, Tain hosted the first Old Tom Morris Competition last month. This will become a regular event, shared between the great courses that bear his name. The establishment of an Old Tom Morris Golf Trail is underway, together with other activities, bringing a higher profile and recognition of one of the greatest names, the game of golf has ever known. For any with an interest in learning more about The Old Tom Morris Society, contact Joanna Bell at Tain Golf Club directly.

If you would like a few suggestions on how to include a selection of Old Tom Morris courses in your Scottish golf trip, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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