photograph courtesy of the USGA

"More than any man of his time, Old Tom left his imprint on the game. At the Old Course [at St. Andrews] he helped devise the first metal cups for firming up the hole; he discovered how sand, scattered over bare spots, encouraged the growth of grass. He crossed the British Isles by donkey cart, train and steamer, laying out golf courses as obscure as Askernish and as renowned as Muirfield and Royal Dornoch. He even invented the double-loop routing of nine holes to a side that is now standard.

"As a player, Old Tom was known for good course management and accuracy from tee to green. His weakness was the short putt, suggesting that he patented the yips as well. A letter was once addressed to THE MISSER OF SHORT PUTTS, PRESTWICK, and the document was promptly delivered to Morris."

John Garrity, "Saints Alive!", Sports Illustrated, July 17, 1995