The Festival plans to recognize and honour individuals who have made significant contributions in a number of categories, such as golf literature, photography, golf art, golf humor, women’s golf and more. The event will take place inSt. AndrewsUniversity’s historic Younger Hall, where Bobby Jones, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and other icons of the game have earned honorary degrees from the ancient university.
Honorees will receive the “Old Tom Morris Award,” a handsome commemorative bust named for theSt. Andrewsborn golf pioneer who is universally recognized as golf’s founding father. Tom Morris, Sr. (Old Tom Morris) was a heralded golf competitor who played in the first 36 British Opens (1860-1896) and who won the Open four times in 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867. To this day, he remains the oldest Open champion at the age of 47.
Old Tom also was a prolific architect who designed or remodeled 75 courses, including Carnoustie, Muirfield, Royal Dornoch andPrestwick. From 1865 to 1904 he served as the Greenkeeper for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club atSt. Andrews. The 18th green of the Old Course is named in his memory. Old Tom died in 1908 at the age of 87.
It has been written that Old Tom Morris “came to symbolize all that was finest in Scottish character and in the ancient Scottish game.” It is in this spirit that the St. Andrews Golf Festival has created the Old Tom Morris Award. The Festival Awards Gala evening is presented by Golf Illustrated.
The award categories are:
- St.Andrews Golf Festival Award for Honour and Integrity
- Literati of the Links Award for Golf Literature
- Keepers of the Green Award for Courage
- St.Andrews Golf Festival Award for Golf Art
- St.Andrews Golf Festival Award for Golf Humor
- LawrenceLevy Award for Golf Photography
- Golf Surveys Ltd. Award for Lifetime Achievement in Golf Course Architecture
- Babe Zaharias Award for Outstanding Contributions to Ladies Golf
- Planet Golf Award for Best Golf Course Design
- Spirit of St. Andrews Award (Golf Illustrated readers vote)
No charge to attend
The creative St. Andrews Golf Festival, golf’s first-ever organized celebration in this historic town where the game has been played for some 600 years, has an impressive schedule of events, exhibitions, tours, lectures, films and skills competitions planned for the launch of the five-day extravaganza.
Exhibitions to showcase the history of the game and golf’s most distinguished champions will be held at a number of noted hotels in St. Andrews and will include tributes to: Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Seve Ballesteros, the History of Golf in St. Andrews, a Keepers of the Green display, the Ryder Cup, Women’s Golf and much more.
A selection of planned daily activities are: putting competitions on the Links Trust putting green for charity; golf simulator virtual drive off the 1st tee of the fabled Old Course; SNAG Golf; a guided walking tour of historic golf locations in the town; screening of films; book signings; art and photography exhibits and fundraising for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.
The town’s bars, restaurants and hotels will host real ale tastings.
For a listing of Festival events, visit www.standrewsgolffestival.com. The schedule is continually updated with additional activities that will interest golfers and non-golfers of all ages.
In keeping with the spirit of the game that is accessible to everyone, there is no charge to attend the St. Andrews Golf Festival celebrations.