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In Gold of 30th June 1893
this paragraph
occurs: "St Andrews Fine scoring by Old Tom Morris. In a match last week, Mr
Everard
playing against the best balls of Dr J. G.
M'Pherson and Tom Morris, some fine scoring
was made. This is a very severe handicap,
for although Mr Everard went round in 83
and Old Tom in 80, Mr Everard was beaten by 5 up and 4 to play. Old Tom's
score is remarkable as he is in his seventy-third year.
His play is as good as ever, and he is the envy
of his younger rivals. Tom's score was as
follows:
Out, 4 5 6 5 4 5 5 3 4 - 41
In , 4 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 - 39
Total. . . 80
Mr Everard's figures were:
Out, 4 5 5 4 5 6 6 3 4 - 42
In . 5 4 4 5 5 4 4 5 5 - 41
Total. . . 83
The best ball score of Old Tom and Dr
M'Pherson was:
Out, 4 5 5 5 4 5 5 3 4 - 40
In, 4 3 4 4 5 5 4 4 5 - 38
Total, . . 78
Tom was, in fact, playing so well that high
hopes were entertained that he would win his
match against Bob Dow (Montrose) for a
handsome money stake subscribed by the
members of the Montrose Royal Albert Golf
Club. The match took place on the Montrose
links on the 2Qth of July. The weather was
excellent, and the greens in good condition.
These hopes were not, however, realised. Dow
was playing on his own links, and playing well. He won the first round by 5, and the second by
1, making him 6 up on the day's play.
Two days later Tom and Dow had a match
with Mr W. Bouch (London) and Dr Stone, the Hon, secretary of the Royal Albert Golf Club.
The weather was fine, though there was a very
gusty wind. Old Tom was in good form, and
was specially making a good use of his cleek and
putter. Dow also played a good game, and had
some splendid tee shots. Mr Bouch's long,
powerful driving was much admired; but he
was frequently unfortunate in playing his ball
into hazards, from which it required all Dr
Stone's skill with his niblick to extract them.
The Doctor also showed to advantage on the
green. The professionals allowed Mr Bouch
and the Doctor a third; but, notwithstanding
this handicap, the latter were defeated in the first
round by 3 up and 2 to play. In the second
round the professionals were even more
victorious, winning by 6 up and 5 to play. They
also won the byes by i hole. The last time
Tom Morris and Bob Dow had played together
previously in a foursome was twenty-three years
ago at Hoylake with Tom Dunn and Jack Morris.
In the end of August a professional tournament took place at Kilmalcolm, organised by
the local club. Tom was present, and "created
a good deal of interest amongst the West
Country devotees of the game as he drove
oil." Tom, however, found the undulating
character of the course too much for him, and
gave up during the first round, but received
the prize of £1 awarded to the oldest competitor. The prize-list is interesting owing to
the number of now-famous names in it. The
English professionals were golfing en route to
the Open Championship at Prestwick, (1) A.
Herd, 141; (2) Willie Fernie, 142; (3) Ben
Savers, 147; (4) J. H. Taylor, 148; (5) Hugh
Kirkaldy and Harry Yardon, 150. Braid does
not seem to have been present. The men then
went on to Prestwick to play for the Open
Championship. It was won by W. AuchterIonie with 322 ; J. E. Laidlay, 324; Herd was 325,
Hugh Kirkaldy, 326; Andrew Kirkaldy, 326;
and Old Tom 383. I note that Mr Garden G.
Smith was 26 strokes better (359). Thereafter
the players went over to the Emerald Isle to play
for the Irish Championship at Newcastle, Co.
Down, when W. Auchterlonie was again successful,
322; A. Herd, 325; Hugh and Andrew Kirkaldy,
326; Taylor, 333; Ben Sayers, 335; Harry Vardon,
344; Tom Vardon, 345; and Old Tom, 383.
In the practice play for the St Andrews
Autumn Meeting Tom Morris's shop played a
somewhat peculiar part. Mr Frank Fairlie
and "Freddy" Tait were playing Mr A. F.
Macfie and Mr Charles Hutchings. The former
couple were dormy 1 in the first round, but,
approaching the last hole, "Freddy" played a
characteristically long shot with his cleek. It
was, however, very much on the line. The ball
alighted on the roof of Tom Morris's shop,
and from there rolled down under a pile of wood
on the roadway. It was quite unplayable,
and the hole was lost and the match halved.
In the afternoon, however, "Freddy" and his
partner won by 4 and 3 to play: as, indeed,
they were entitled to, as their score was the fine
one of 79. Mr Mure Fergusson won highest
honour at this meeting with 79; "Freddy"
was second with 80, and Mr Charles Hutchings
and Mr Enilev Bkickwell were each 82.
On 31st October Tom Morris and Job Dow
had a 36-hole tussle at St Andrews. Mr Keverard
is the chronicler of it in a characteristic article.
He tells us that "an appreciative if select
company were ready to follow the fortunes of the veterans on the classical
green," and he continues: 'Needless were it to expatiate on the
varied events of 'Old Tom,' sketches of whose
career have been repeatedly written; but it may
be assumed that Bob Dow is not so well known
to fame. Nevertheless, he has attained a fair
proficiency in the game, which he has played
since boyhood, and, fifty years ago, used to carry
for the well-known Mr Campbell, of Saddell.
Ever to be remembered by Dow is the Prince of
Wales's wedding-day (the present King), for that
date marks his introduction to Montrose, engaged
by the Royal Albert Club as their professional
a post he has held ever since. Never quite strong
enough to win outright in a professional field
indeed, such players as 'Young Tommy' and
Davie Strath could have given him a third --Dow,
nevertheless, could play a sound and steady
game, and with a long driver on his side was a
capital partner. Another day impressed on
Dow's recollection, and perhaps naturally, is the
Saturday when he and Old Tom, his present
opponent, played Tom Dunn and Jack Morris
for 10. The latter made an excellent start
by winning 5 out of the first n holes, notwithstanding which, they were ultimately defeated
by 2.
"This much concerning the past. As to the
present, the interest in the match has regard
rather to the ages of the two veterans than to
any prospective excellence of play. Their years
combined amounted to 133, Tom having been
born on June 15, 1821, and Dow, June 14, 1832.
The former, therefore, had what, at an earlier
period of life, might be the advantage to the
extent of eleven years; but it was not noticeable,
so far as knowledge of the game went and of the
proper club to use, that these years had brought
any increment of wisdom; consequently Tom
had to rely upon his physical prowess alone.
Briefly, we may recall the circumstance that last
summer he won the Club-Makers' Medal, with a
score of 83, defeating, among others, no less a
person than the present champion, William
Auchterlonie. Thus, apart from his general play,
there was some justification for the odds laid upon him, which, exactly
stated, were in proportion of 21 to 16. So much, therefore, by way of
introduction. So far as weather was concerned, the day was perfect. A sharp frost
during the night made the ground hard, yet not
sufficiently so to interfere with good play; on
the contrary, the day was eminently favourable to low scoring. Torn began well. Two good
shots took him across the burn (a feat Dow did
not attempt either in the forenoon or afternoon),
and a steady 5 saw him up. Dow now drove
into ' the Scholar's Bunker,' when he was unable
at all to emerge, and therefore picked up his ball.
This inability on his part to clear the lace of a
bunker was very marked; he seemed entirely
lacking in the necessary knack (acquired through
doleful experience by every St Andrews player)
of getting out of a sandy hazard at the expense
of 1 stroke only, this deficiency costing him
innumerable strokes in the course of the day's play. It was now Tom's turn
to make acquaintance with such hazards as the course affords, and
they are many and varied in character. A visit
to the 'Principal's nose' was the primary cause
of his losing the third hole, and a deplorably bad
shot far into the whins close to the railway bridge
cost him the fourth; the match therefore was all
square. A well-played 4 at the Klysian Fields
gave him the lead again, which, however, he
assumed only to see it immediately wrested from
him, Dow here playing faultless golf. Hole about
followed, and at the end, to quote a historical
report of a match of bygone years, 'The veteran
laid his approach shot stone-dead; but subsequently, however, failed to hole.' Dow here
holed out well from about two yards, hence this
slip on Tom's part gave the Montrose professional
an unexpected lead of 1. Tom, however,
thoroughly outplayed him at the tenth, the only
really good hole he had during the round; his
first drive was beautifully followed up by a
perfect middle spoon shot, well winded, which,
with a little luck, might have produced a 3.
All square. From this point Dow had it all his
own way, winning 4 out of the next 6 holes, but
as he lost the burn he finished 3 up and 18 to play.
The veracious chronicler must admit the fact
that better golf might have been looked for,
especially from Tom, who has a really strong
game in him. Doubtless he can summon it at
will, as Glendower his spirits; still, Hotspur may
hint a certain coyness of response.
"By no possibility could this winner have
missed a three-figure score had the second hole
been played out. Also, it is worthy of remark
that not one of the first 12 holes was halved, a
further indication of the unstable character of the
play. Thus far Tom's backers had little cause
for jubilation, but in the afternoon a wonderful
change for the better took place. He was well
on his game for the greater part of the round,
which at one time promised to be a really low
one, though in the end, a 7 and four 6's some-
what spoiled the 1 actual total, which was 91.
Still, it was obvious that he could do much as he
pleased with Dow, whom he outdrove severely,
and with tolerable regularity. The first 2 holes
were halved. Tom then won 3 in succession,
the last being particularly well played in 4. All
square on the day. Tom also won the next, and
after two halves lost the end hole. Turning
homewards, the first hole was halved, but then,
by altogether stronger play, the elder veteran
won 5 holes in succession and the match ; he also
won i of the 3 remaining holes.
"The second half of the match was played
over the Montrose course on the 1st of November.
Tom was 4 up at the end of the first round, 83
and 88. Both were off their play in the second
round, and the exhibition was disappointing.
Tom won by 7 up on the day's play. Dow won
the bye. They again played at [Montrose on the
3oth November, when Dow won by I hole."
Here is a detailed account of this the last
match these veterans played, and as it is highly
characteristic of both we give it in full.
"It does not follow that because Tom is
'Old Tom ' Bob is 'Young Bob.' There are
ten years between them, it is true; but Bob is sixty-two. He is more
energetic than his renowned elder, but he is not so sure. Tom ages
perceptibly, but his swing is yet good and his
drive is still long. Bob Dow would not like
to be called an old man. Nor at threescore and
two is he; but his game is scarcely what it was.
By taking thought he could make it much better than it was yesterday. Still,
it was an interesting enough match. Bob had come back from
St Andrews 4 holes to the bad, and that, too,
after making a very fair start. Bob somehow
seems nervous in these matches, but it was hoped
he would come out all right on his own green.
Montrose Links never looked better than they
did in yesterday's sunshine. It is a long and
trying course, but it affords capital scope for the
varied skill of the crack golfer. If he cross the
'Cannons' gully in safety, and cheat the
'Coffin,' are there not the perils of the Girdle?
And if these be passed, are there not the desert
dangers of the long hole through the field, and the hideous earthworks
called bunkers which confront the player as he approaches the hole near
the skating pond? which latter, by the way, now
holds water. Everything being favourable, we
looked for a good display. There was none of
what a magazine writer has called 'this d---d
Englishry' of golf in yesterday's game. It was
a serious, solemn, dignified Scots match between
two of the old dogs, in both of whom there is yet
considerable life.
"It is not my province to describe hole by
hole the play. That infliction can be sought
elsewhere. It is enough here to note a few points
of the match for the benefit of striving and deserving amateurs, and to do so in a way that may
interest even the good man who in this age of golf
lias the misfortune not to know a brassey from a cutting cleek. It is a misfortune, but it can be
remedied; and in golf, as in other things, as no
less a person than the late Irish Secretary reminds
ns it is better to have a late conversion than to
remain unregenerate. The spectators yesterday
might not have witnessed the brilliant strokes
they have seen on St Andrews, Prestwick or Hoylake, but in the steady play of the two hardy,
resolute, and withal genial old men, there was
much to interest and much to admire for its own
sake. There were several things calculated to cheer the heart of the
observant duffer. Professionals, even at sixty-two and seventy-two, are
just as other men, in that they do not always
profit by the experience of their fellows. Time
and again yesterday, when one of the old warriors
would make a blunder, it was promptly repeated
by his opponent. Now Tom would be scant with
his cleek, and it was quite evident that Bob
could not hope to reach the green with his either,
but all the same he persisted in having a try, with
the result that both lay short. Even old stagers
can make, a muddle in long grass or whin. Tom
lost several strokes in this way, and Bob had
quite a partiality for bunkers. But how
pleasantly each played out of his difficulty, and
with what good temper. The tyro would have
broken clubs and cursed. Like all true golfers,
Morris and Dow wield the wooden putter. (In
the eyes of which eminent golfer does gun-metal
or other patent made favour?) And how beautifully and naturally, not to say fondly, did they
handle the club. Tom was invariably deadly on
the green. Bob was nervous, erratic and weak. Like ordinary golfers, however, even
fine old
players like Dow and Morris experience their
difficulties in keeping the score. The scoring
card is an invention of ' the Englishry,' the Scot
is above strokes, and only reckons the game as it
should be reckoned by holes; but all the same it
is well to know what your opponent is down in if
you have forgotten the odds played. It was at
the Long hole, and no one was quite sure what
it had cost. The players themselves were
appealed to. 'Fat wis you in, Tom? ' queried
Bob. 'I played 4 oot th' bunker,' was the reply.
Then Bob told what he had done, and it was
found the hole was halved in 7. The match was
won at the Skating Pond hole, and here again the
line feeling between the two old men manifested
itself afresh. Bob had encountered difficulties in
the first bunker, but with a beautiful cleek shot
he reached the green, and lay what ought to have
been dead. Tom played his putter from the edge
of the green, and lay even closer to the cup.
Bob, playing 2 more, failed to get down, but laid
his man a dead stymie. Tom had 2 for the hole,
and it was his anyhow by playing round; but to
afford the old St Andrews champion an opportunity of showing his quality, Dow gave him the
hole, and asked him to try and putt it with his
iron. 'I dinna ken if I'll manage' said Tom as
he reached for his lofter and seriously regarded
the stymie, but he set himself to the task, and the
spectators had the pleasure of witnessing as
pretty a loft over Bob's ball and into the hole as
they could have wished. The crowd showed its
approval, and Old Tom looked pleased. The
match was over Morris 7 up and 5 to play on the day; and there was talk
whether the remaining holes should be played out. Tom,
triumphant, lighted his pipe, and regarded the question with indifference.
Bob suddenly remembered that there were 'some ither bets' on,
and it was resolved to finish. Bob easily pulled
off the bye. His closing play was remarkably
strong. But for that matter neither player at
the finish looked any the worse for his 36 holes.
The old dog for the long journey, they say. The
scores were not brilliant, but the exhibition was
one of the higher golf. It was an eminently
Scottish match. Stroke for stroke and putt for
putt it was a genuine struggle 'twixt two old
men. And the older fairly won.'' |
