A major new film on the relationship between the “godfather of golf” Tom Morris and his son is about to start filming in St Andrews.
Tommy’s Honour, directed by Jason Connery, son of Sir Sean Connery, will begin shooting in the Fife town soon.
Renowned Scottish actor Peter Mullan has been cast as Old Tom Morris, who helped establish The Open championship and won the tournament four times.
His son Tommy, who also went on to enjoy success as a golfer, will be played by Scottish actor Jack Lowden.
Sir Sean Connery is understood to be advising his son on the project.
Born in St Andrews in 1821, Old Tom Morris helped organise the first Open at Prestwick, where he was greenkeeper and professional, in 1860.
He won the title the following year and later returned to St Andrews, where he became greenkeeper at the R&A.
The club-making shop he established overlooking the 18th green still bears his name.
Jason Connery said: “I am so incredibly passionate and excited to tell this story.
“It 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,” he added.
“This is an extraordinary and intimate tale of love and family at the beginning of the great game of golf.”
Creative Scotland has given £400,000 to the makers of Tommy’s Honour.
The movie is being produced by Bob Last.
His latest film Sunset Song will be premiered in Toronto next month.
Senior screen executive Robbie Allen said: “We are proud to support the realisation of this very Scottish story from director Jason Connery and producer Bob Last.”
The “captivating and emotional” father-and-son tale is expected to “engage and entertain audiences at home and internationally,” Robbie added.
“A high-profile project, with an exciting cast, this production provides the perfect opportunity to showcase Scotland’s creative, craft and technical talent, our stunning locations and the wealth of our social and sporting history.”
Tommy’s Honour is an adaptation of a book by Kevin Cook, which won the US Golf Association’s Book of the Year in 2007.
Old Tom Morris won the Open in 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867, when he became the tournament’s oldest winner at the age of 46.
Young Tom Morris was born in 1851 and also won four Open titles.
However, he died on Christmas Day in 1875, just a few months after his wife and child died during childbirth.
His father lived until 1908.