Tom
In Reply 53 you said
It seems to me you have a lot of the Old Tom Morris syndrome with Braid. Having his name attached to your club was/is a badge of distinction even if in reality he simply gave advice, or in some cases just pulled up and asked for directions.
You previously made the following statement In My Opinion section of this site under the heading The Early Golf Architects: Beyond Old Tom
The first point relates to the title of this essay, and the number of golf courses erroneously attributed to Old Tom Morris. Old Tom is one of the most important figures in the history of the game, and one of the most significant course designers of this early period. Not only did he lay out a large number of golf courses, he was instrumental in spreading the game at a most crucial time. That being said there are scores of courses (some of them very prominent courses) that Morris biographer Robert Kroeger and others have given to Old Tom that are actually the work of others. In fairness to these Morris biographers it is not entirely their fault. In Old Tom’s day clubs were eager to have his name associated with their golf courses. A site inspection, a grand opening appearance, a minor redesign, advise on greenkeeping matters or the use of the clubhouse restroom might result in Old Tom being given design credit. Lahinch and Rosapenna are two glaring examples. It should also be noted this practice is not unique to OTM – there has been tendency for some clubs to overplay the involvement of James Braid, Donald Ross and other favored architects. Whatever the motivation of these clubs and authors, there is no need to exaggerate Old Tom’s already outstanding record, especially when it is done at the expense of these men.
Perhaps you could be so kind as to list courses that you believe complies with this so call syndrome. Through all my searches I have not experience or found anything of that nature. And certainly nothing that would warrant this ungratefull slur on his name 'the use of the clubhouse restroom might result in Old Tom being given design credit.' Perhaps by listing them we will see exactly what you are driving at in the hope of clearing this issue once and for all.
Please do remember that travel back then was expensive, laborious and time consuming using mainly steam trains, steamers ships pony and trap and finally walking. No airline travel, door to door coach or chauffeur service let alone even self-drive as we have today.
So I am very interested to see your list which I presume you believe will qualify as the equivalent of todays Signature Courses. Something as I said above something I believe did not exist in Old Tom’s day.
By listing them you will allow debate or at least an opportunity to answer criticism that you have made but not so that I can find with any real justification. So let’s see your list, examine the points and see if he was or was not involved in the design or course modification. I may have some, possible more than some of the answers. I may not be able to comment or agree totally with your findings.
Whatever, I believe it’s now time to try and put the record straight.
In closing I do not dispute that errors were and are being made in crediting course design to numerous architects/designers but I have found that also applies in reverse. But let’s try to clear up some if not the majority of doubts you have re Old Tom.