John
Old Tom design fees were not £100 a hole, that was part of the construction cost for the course. All the information on the programme was not correct because Old Tom also designed what became known as the Duffers Course in 1897 which was a short 12 hole course for Ladies and beginners. This ran straight out and back against the sand dunes. Holes varied between 130 yards to a max. of 350yards. The real name was the Jubilee Course. In 1912 this was extended to 18 by Willie Auchterlonie and of course redesigned again about 10 years ago by Donald Steel and now very little is left of the 12 Old Tom holes.
As regards the putter that was sold some years ago 2005/6.
When Old Tom died he requested that certain items which included Young Tom’s Championship Belt be given to the R&A in the hope of keeping Tommy achievements, awards and memory alive. The last time I saw the Belt it was locked in their large safe with thick reinforced glass front within the club house, but not what I would call on display to the public as Old Tom had intended. Nor has my mother or wife been allowed to see it. But that’s another story which has yet to run.
So Old Tom returned to again work (originally under Alan Robertson in the 1840's) and modifiy the Old Course, designed the New Course and the Duffers (Jubilee) Course over his 38 years at St Andrews.
Ulrich
Yes there are many pictures of Old Tom as a young man with a set of Clubs in his hands. As for putting he was rather good, but went through a bad patch when Young Tom was at his best, but it returned to him in later years. But yes for a time he had a problem with short putts of a few feet.