Lurgan author wins award

Designed by Chic Harper, the book that sets out the golf history of St Andrews, set to the backdrop of the life of Old Tom Morris, has just been awarded the Murdoch Medal by The British Golf Collectors’ Society.

The Murdoch Medal is awarded annually by the Society to the member who has done most in the previous year, to contribute to the history and heritage of golf.

BGCS Captain Chris Walker said, “Roger’s tremendous book extends our understanding of Tom Morris and other historical golfing personalities of St Andrews.

“It is based on much original research and represents outstanding design and production values.”

Roger said, “I am absolutely delighted to win the prestigious Murdoch Medal.

“To win this and USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award this year is far more than I could ever have hoped for when I was writing the book,” he added.

“I would like to thank His Royal Highness Prince Andrew for kindly providing a foreword for the book and organisations such as The R&A, University of St Andrews and St Andrews Preservation Trust for their support.

“Angela Howe, Peter Crabtree, Chic Harper, David Hamilton, David Joy and Dr Eve Soulsby amongst many others have helped me get the book over the line and I am hugely grateful to them all.

“The Murdoch Medal means so much to me as it has been awarded by historians, collectors and authors - this truly is a wonderful honour.”

The book’s success has taken Roger over to the United States to The Masters and it is now being developed into a feature film about the life of Tom Morris.

“It is very early days but my hope with the film is that we show the world why Old Tom is so revered to this day – he was an incredible four times Open Champion, who also laid out or re-designed close to 100 golf courses.

“He had a remarkable life and I hope we can show that on film.

“In St Andrews David Joy, Peter Crabtree and the late Dr David Malcolm have done so much to celebrate Old Tom and hopefully this movie will add to that library of work.”

St Andrews In The Footsteps of Old Tom Morris is available to buy at

www.thegolfbookshop.com or in St Andrews bookshops and golf shops.

If you require British Golf Collectors’ Society information then it can be found at www.golfcollectors.co.uk