” A goal is not the same as a desire, and this is an important distinction to make” – Old Tom Morris

The Morris Family’s pioneering efforts had a lasting impact on the game of golf, which is now enjoyed by more than 32 million consumers worldwide and more than 70 million who are fans and enjoy playing the game.

I was inspired to share about my experience watching the movie Tommy’s Honor. As an avid golfer of 40 years, myself, I was riveted to the story. I think you will too. Released in 2016 I somehow missed the announcement and reviews. The story steps straight into the early St.Andrews renowned caddie and golfmith; Old Tom Morris.

The movie shares shots of terrain we would now consider a goat track; greens barely differentiated from the fairways, and certainly not trimmed low. Play it at it lies .. quite a different game back then!

Both Tom Morris and his son, Tommy Morris were inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame

Old Tom Morris was the oldest groundskeeper of his time and one of the very first. Having tenured the famous St.Andrews, then over to Prestwick, and back to St.Andrews again. His legacy and impact on the game is often unknown and name unrecognized. As a greenskeeper, clubmaker, ballmaker, instructor, and course designer; his impact on the great game of golf is carved in stone.


” Nothing is more endangered in the modern world than the powerful combination of hard work toward meaningful goals joined with an exuberant embrace of the present moment. ” – Old Tom Morris

Tom Morris competed until age 75. He is still the oldest to ever with the Open Championship at 46. He managed to outlive his whole family, passing on in 1908 at 86.

Old Tom Morris designed more than 70 golf courses including Preswick, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, Carnoustie, and Royal County Down.

155 years after the first Open Championship, Tommy still holds the title of the youngest major champion of all times at the age of 17.

Tommy Morris is considered the greatest player of the 19th century and likely would have gone on to other greatness, setting many more records had he not died tragically on Christmas Day in 1875 at the age of 24.

Morris & Son Accolades in Golf

Tom Morris Sr. and Tom Morris Jr. were real people and very important to the early history of professional golf.

In their time, they were called Tom and Tommy. Most golfers today refer to them as Old Tom and Young Tom (Morris).

Old Tom Morris was born in 1821 and passed on in 1908. He is one of the most influential figures in golf. Old Tom helped usher out the featherie golf ball (leather pouches stuffed with feathers) era and brought in the gutta-percha (a rubbery type of tree sap) ball. He was one of the earliest professional golfers. He won the British Open Championship four times in the 1860s.

Young Tom Morris was only golf’s very first superstar. He made the first-ever recorded hole in one, won the British Open four times in a row, in fact. He’s responsible for retiring the original Open Championship trophy (a belt), which led to the creation of the Claret Jug.

Tom Morris Open Championship wins; 1861, 1862, 1864, 1867

Tommy Morris Open Championship wins; 1868, 1869, 1870, 1872

The British Open was not played in 1871. Tommy retired the trophy by winning the previous three years consecutively. When a new trophy was commissioned the tournament resumed in 1872; where Tommy won it for the fourth time.

Here’s a link to enjoy the movie: https://gostream.site/tommys-honour/ (only click on the movie’s Play button)

Here is some more great background information on Old Tom Morris on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Tom_Morris

Golf History: Tom Morris & Tommy Morris

Leave a Reply

Translate »