High on Heritage

As autumn approaches, Tom Morris has launched its second autumn-winter collection. Danny Camp
Commercial Director at Tom Morris, spoke exclusively to GOLF RETAILING

Where is the Tom Morris brand based and what is its association to the Morris family?

The Tom Morris brand is based in St Andrews. The flagship store is Tom’s original shop in his hometown, which overlooks his beloved Old Course.

Old Tom opened his shop there in 1866, making it the oldest golf shop in the world. The store itself has been carefully restored, unearthing original features, including the flagstone floor and brickwork, which add to the authenticity and lineage of the brand, as well giving customers a truly unique retail experience.

How is the brand associated with the St Andrews Links Trust?

St Andrews Links Trust took custodianship of the shop and set about a programme of repairs and conservation to return the premises to its former glory in 2010, working closely with Old Tom’s family and Peter Crabtree, co-author of Tom Morris, The Colossus of Golf. That was just the beginning. A small team of designers then began working to create a collection of apparel bearing Tom’s name and reflecting both his life and character.

Where is the brand retailed currently, and are they plans for distribution to expand?

Tom Morris is available from the flagship store in St Andrews as well as online at tommorris.com. Other current retailers include Pebble Beach, Congressional Country Club, Els Club Dubai, Wentworth, Celtic Manor and Carnoustie. There are plans to further expand the distribution worldwide including Japan, and China.

What have you introduced for autumn 2014?

This is now our third collection with Tom Morris and we have not rested on our laurels. The remarkable legacy of Tom Morris is always at the forefront of our minds and our latest collection represents our commitment to creative design as we place British design, heritage, innovation and inspiration at the heart of everything we do in St Andrews and for our customers across the globe.

Road trip

The 2014 Autumn-Winter collection from Tom Morris celebrates the road trip that defined one of golf’s greatest innovators. Inspired by the heritage of the four-time Open Champion, Tom Morris, the new range has been inspired by the journey Morris himself made from St Andrews to Prestwick in 1851.

At Prestwick Morris designed and built the course which would become the Home of the Open Championship. The journey across Scotland, from East to West, the land, the people and his destination, are reflected in the 2014 Autumn-Winter collection. A controlled, colourful palette uses tonal combinations of russets, vintage indigos and neutrals with the collection designed to provide a relaxed feel, using subtle garment washes and soft constructions in its array of knitwear, outerwear, chinos, shirts and accessories.

The Knitwear features everything from lightweight Merino/Cotton to ‘Made in Scotland Fair Isle’ and cashmere cables, to tweed-effect button shoulder crew necks and heavyweight shawl cardigans. Wools feature in the quilted blazer, a double-face peacoat and wool-down jacket. Nylons are utilised in the reversible quilted vest and the tweed-effect waterproof.

www.tommorris.com