New music in memory of St Andrews golfers Old Tom and Young Tommy Morris

Commodore Ronald Sandford, chair of the committee, said: “For some time I had been wondering about a fiddle tune to add to the legacy of Old Tom Morris. On August 21 this year at a musical evening in Forgan House I heard the fiddle tune titled Robert Fergusson and that provided the necessary impetus.

"At the meeting of the Old Tom Statue Project Group in the R&A on October 2, fiddle tunes were on the agenda, and in the course of discussion, David Annand, sculptor of the superb Tom Morris statue, reckoned Pete ‘The Fiddler’ Clark might be interested.

"With the group’s agreement, I contacted him, and he was duly commissioned to compose a tune, to be titled Old Tom Morris. In the course of a further chat, Pete confirmed that he would also like to compose a tune in memory of young Tommy Morris, the star golfer of his day, who died so tragically young aged just 24 in 1875.

"On November 2 we were informed that the St Andrews Links Trust had given us their support, and I am glad to say that the Morris family relations have also given us their blessings. It is apt that someone of Pete’s pedigree is the composer of these wonderful pieces of music.’

Pete Clark, who taught on the Scottish Music degree course at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “When David Annand told me he had been commissioned to create a sculpture of Old Tom Morris, I knew he would come up with a fabulous likeness to this legend of golf.

"Having seen the film Tommy's Honour, I had been aware of the great man, truly a national treasure. After Ronald Sandford contacted me regarding a possible tribute in music, I delved a bit further into the story and learned more about Old Tom and the tragically short life of Young Tommy.

"I was moved to compose a slow air for the latter and a bold strathspey for his father. I consider it a great honour to be asked to immortalise someone in music, and hope that my efforts have captured something of these two great characters.”

On the two pieces of music Pete is accompanied by Muriel Johnstone, who is regarded as one of the most highly acclaimed musicians in the world of Scottish country dancing. Originally from Ardrossan in Ayrshire, the celebrated pianist and prolific composer, now also lives in highland Perthshire. To date she has recorded over 30 albums and has produced many books of her original compositions.

The first official playing of the Old Tom Morris tune will be on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday, November 30, St Andrews Day. It is the launch of BBC Radio 3’s Christmas season and they will be broadcasting live from St Salvator’s chapel from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, on North Street – the very street where Tom played as a boy.

Commodore Sandford added: “It is simply the perfect place to play this fine tune, which honours the life of one of Scotland’s greatest golfers.”