Golf to hit Hollywood again

A major new golf movie to rival Caddyshack, Happy Gilmour, Tin Cup and The Legend of Bagger Vance is in the making…

‘Tommy’s Honor,’ the dramatic father and son story about the pioneers of modern-day professional golf and its beginnings at St. Andrews, Scotland, was announced today by Wind Chill Media’s Jim Kreutzer.

Tom Morris and his son, Tommy, overcame incredible odds and tragedy to become inspiring legends, dominating the game in the mid-19th century. TOMMY’S HONOR will be filmed in Scotland with casting currently underway, and production is anticipated to commence in Spring/Summer 2014.

Jason Connery (The Devil’s Tomb, The Philly Kid) will direct this tale of triumph and tragedy from a screenplay by Pamela Marin and Kevin Cook, adapted from Cook’s acclaimed book, which won the U.S. Golf Association’s Book of the Year award in 2007. Producers will be Kreutzer of Wind Chill Media Group, Bob Last of Holdings Ecosse, and Connery. The producers are in final negotiations with Picturehouse to distribute in North America.

TOMMY’S HONOR tells the story of Tom Morris’ relationship with his son Tommy, who showed a remarkable talent of his own and matched his father’s achievement with four Open wins (the first at the age of 17), managing the feat in consecutive championships. Although both father and son profited from their share of rich gamblers’ side bets on the events, times were still hard and life for the Morris family in mid-Victorian Scotland brought its share of drama and tragedy to their story.

Commenting on his aspirations for the project, director Connery stated: “I am so incredibly passionate and excited to tell this story. It is a story that is truly close to my heart as I grew up with my father on a golf course, and I have a home an hour from St. Andrews. This is an extraordinary and intimate tale of love and family at the beginning of the great game of golf. This story has to be told!”

Added producer Kreutzer: “Upon discovering the book on a golf trip to St. Andrews, I knew immediately this was a story that will resonate universally – not only with avid golfers and fans, but also an inspiring father-son tale that audiences everywhere can relate to. We all respect the game and history, so I am confident Jason and the filmmaking team will do this story justice.”

Tom Morris started his golfing life in his home town of St Andrews as a club and ball maker. Morris went on to found the “Open” Championship at Prestwick, on a course that he had designed, in 1860. He was runner-up that year, but set aside his initial disappointment with four subsequent wins as the burgeoning competition developed, and he became the oldest Open winner in 1867, at the age of 46.

His son Tommy, the first touring professional, went on to surpass his father as a player. Both Tom Morris senior and junior have set records that still stand today. Both have been recognized by induction into The World Golf Hall Of Fame. Visit www.tommyshonor.com for more details.