FIND THE EASTER EGGS | 2022 BRITISH OPEN COLLECTION
This championship needs no introduction. This year, the 150th rendition returns to the birthplace of golf: The Old Course at St. Andrews. This week, the home of golf will host the world’s best as they look to etch their name in golf history – alongside legends of the present like defending champion Collin Morikawa and icons of the past like Old and Young Tom Morris.
In honor of the sesquicentennial (look it up) playing, this year’s staff bag and accessories collection draws inspiration from the historic father-son duo that helped elevate St. Andrews in its earliest days. Let’s dive into the details and see how they commemorate golf’s oldest major.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
The legacy of Old Tom and Young Tom Morris stands as a core inspiration behind this year’s collection, and you’ll find their initials engraved on the bag handle. The duo holds the record for the tournament’s oldest and youngest winners, respectively. They earned victory in this major a collective eight times, each winning four titles.
“Their names are synonymous with St. Andrews,” says Dennis Kennedy, Product Creation Designer. “Originally we placed ‘OTM’ on the bag for Old Tom Morris, but TM honors both of them and unintentionally represents TaylorMade, as well. Those two basically built the home of golf, and you can see the home icon right above their initials.”
ANTIQUE BOUNDARIES
“R” and “G” on the side panel are a reference to the stones that define St. Andrews boundaries. Some of these stones have been in place since before the course was founded in 1552. “Each side of the bag represents what are called March stones. They’re still here to this day,” explains Dennis Kennedy, Product Creation Graphic Designer. “The R stands for rabbit farming and the G stands for golf. That was the divider, the out of bounds marker so golfers knew where the course was and where rabbit farming was. “
CLOSED ON SUNDAY
The tradition of closing the Old Course on Sundays is just a small part of Tom’s lasting legacy and his respect to the grounds of St. Andrews. In his own words: “The links need a rest, even if the golfers don’t.”
Adds Kennedy: “St. Andrews is actually a public course, and unless there’s a tournament, they leave Sundays open for families to come down, walk the grounds or have picnics if they choose. No golf, simply people enjoying the beauty and spirit of the property.”
TIMELESS
Paying homage to the 150th playing in tournament history, the ball pocket includes the famous St. Andrews clock in roman numerals appropriately set to 1:50. Additionally, the 3 wood headcover incorporates Tom’s famous golden pocket watch. This watch can be seen in virtually every photograph of Tom on and off the links
