Tom Morris in Machrihanish

Published in the Campbeltown Courier on 31st October, 2008

A group of American golf operators touring Scottish courses were given a history lesson they’ll never forget on Monday night at The Old Clubhouse, Machrihanish.
Just before dinner was served, Old Tom Morris himself arrived and gave them a talk on the history of golf.
Tom Morris Senior is remembered as a pioneer of golf; he was a champion, course designer and club-maker.
He helped to set up the Open Championship and played in every one of them until 1896. His portrait still hangs in the R&A at St Andrew’s, a course he helped to design.
He designed the Machrihanish course and the new Machrihanish Dunes Course, which will open next year has been designed in the spirit of Old Tom Morris and is being marketed as ‘This is the way golf began’.
David Joy, golf historian and writer, gave an impressive performance as Old Tom.
The golfers were one of seven groups that have toured Scotland in the last seven weeks, visiting different courses to promote golf tourism.