Old Tom and 16 Holes

[Niall C]

Anyone know why Old Moray at Lossiemouth and the original Muirfield course both had only 16 holes at one point (both around the early 1890's) ? Was it just coincidence or was it down to Old Tom having a hand in both courses at that point ?

Niall

[Jim_Kennedy]

Niall,
Where's Melyvn when you need him?

I've read (probably here) that Old Tom wanted Muirfield to open the 16 holes that he had ready to play, and that he built/opened the remaining two within a year.
Old Moray's final two were constructed only after the club leased the land they needed to build them, so OT was either happy to go with 16 or he knew that the extra land was going to be had for the remaining two.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Jim

Been here all along, it’s just that when I post someone starts getting nasty if OTM is mentioned so the thread gets nowhere. Good for a site that deals with GCA.

[Jim_Kennedy]

MM,
Carts and artificial aids aren't part of the questions asked by Niall.  

So, is there a coincidence, re OTM, in each club having 16 holes, or is it a matter of both clubs wanting 18, but one waiting for the needed land and the other being opened for play while the remaining two holes were being built?

[Anthony Gray]

 At Old Moray it was by the fish bar.

  Anthony