Saturday, May 24, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the true giants of the game of golf: Old Tom Morris.

Morris is considered to be the father of the golf course superintendent profession, and GCSAA's highest award is named after him.

He excelled as a clubmaker, greenkeeper, golf course architect and player. He built up a successful clubmaking business; revolutionized the conditioning of the links at St. Andrews; designed several courses, including Carnoustie and Royal Dornoch; and won The Open Championship no fewer than four times, in 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867.

He was also responsible for tending the Old Course, holding the post of "Keeper of the Green" from 1864 until his retirement in 1903, although he continued as consulting greenkeeper until his death in 1908.

Thomas Mitchell Morris was born in St. Andrews in 1821. After leaving school at 16, he worked until 1851 for Allan Robertson, a St. Andrews clubmaker and one of the greatest golfers of the 19th century. At this point, Morris left to become Keeper of the Green at Prestwick, a role which he held until returning to St Andrews in 1864, whereupon the R&A gave him "entire charge of the golf course," with a salary of £50 per year.

This role gave him responsibility for the upkeep of the course under the direction of the green committee, and he set new standards in the quality and condition of the links – an improvement due in part to his being a headstrong and determined character. Not a man who was afraid to take matters into his own hands, Morris once closed the course without permission because he considered it in need of a rest, an action which earned him a public reprimand. Nevertheless, he won the battle and the course was kept out of play for a fortnight.

Tom Morris’s death in 1908 marked the end of an era. The sport of golf had lost its icon, and in fitting tribute no golf was played in the town on the day of his funeral. The Green committee of the R&A put on the record the esteem in which he was held: "The committee gladly and gratefully recognize that his single love for the Links he cared for so faithfully, his courteous and cheerful manner towards all members of the golfing community and above all the example of his well lived life and noble character have been forces which have influenced most powerfully the well being of the Royal and Ancient game."