St Andrews Links Trust are to make a grand commemoration for the bicentenary of the birth of golf’s greatest pioneer Old Tom Morris at this time next year.
Tuesday marked 199 years since Old Tom’s birth in St Andrews – he shares his birthday with Phil Mickelson, who reached 50 this week – and the Links Trust announced preparations were underway to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2021.
The Trust have their own plans but want the global golf community to share their ideas, stories and suggestions ahead of the celebrations. A short video with media partner NBC Golf was released to start the countdown to the bicentenary, depicting Old Tom’s birth record from the National Registrars, his formative years in St Andrews, and an insight into how he presided over the most significant period in golf’s development.
“Though many recognise the Morris name and his catalogue of achievements, St Andrews Links Trust aim to make 2021 a year of celebration for the founder of the game as we know it,” state the Trust.
“Not only was he a four time Open Champion but Tom was one of golf’s greatest innovators; as a club maker, golf ball designer, sculpting some of the world’s greatest courses, and inspiring those who followed in his footsteps, a rich lineage that incorporates Donald Ross and Alister MacKenzie through to Tom Doak and Gil Hanse in the present day.”
Euan Loudon, Chief Executive St Andrews Links Trust, said no-one embodied the Home of Golf’s heritage and rich lineage than Old Tom.
“As we look towards 2021 and our continued recovery from the Covid-19 crisis we want to celebrate the diversity of his achievements and the values he still represents for the town and the game of golf.,” said Loudon.
“His indelible mark is still very much on the Old Course and our Links but we also wish to recognise how his influence extends beyond St Andrews, across Scotland and further afield.
“Today, on what would have been his 199th birthday we start our countdown to 2021. We have worked with our friends at NBC Golf to give a sense of what he represents and hope to inspire the global golf community to help us to celebrate Tom’s life and ensure the bicentennial of his birthday in 2021 confirms his legacy is preserved and continues to prosper for generations to come.”
A programme of events to mark the bicentenary will be revealed later this year but in the meantime the Links are asking for ideas and contributions from across the world via email at OldTom200@standrews.com or via the Trust’s social media channels.
