Golf crime: Vandals damage Old Tom Morris statue at St. Andrews
09 Nov 2024
by Amit Pandey of AmateurGolf.com
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Old Tom Morris statue at St. Andrews (Roger McStravick Photo)
Just weeks after its unveiling, the statue of Old Tom Morris, presented by his great-great-granddaughter Sheila Walker with assistance from former British Open champion Sandy Lyle, has reportedly been vandalized. The statue, which was revealed in St Andrews on October 2, ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, honors one of golf’s most revered figures.
Roger McStravick, a leading golf historian and a key advocate behind the statue’s creation, shared the distressing news on social media. He said the culprits had snapped off the clubhead from the tribute, marking a senseless attack on the monument dedicated to Morris’ lasting legacy.
Morris, a four-time British Open champion, was also instrumental in the design or redesign of 75 golf courses across the UK, including the prestigious courses at Prestwick, St Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Portrush, and Carnoustie.
McStravick expressed his dismay, calling the incident “mindless.” He wrote, “I’m gutted to say that the Tom Morris statue was vandalized last night. They snapped the clubhead off. Needless to say, we are reviewing all CCTV footage, including from the R&A, to identify the perpetrators.