In three consecutive years - 1877, 1878, and 1879 - Anderson won the Open Championship at three different venues: Musselburgh, Prestwick and St Andrews. He is one of only four golfers to have won in three consecutive years - the others are Young Tom Morris (1868-1870), Bob Ferguson (1880-82) and Peter Thomson (1954-56). In 1887, Anderson equalled the then Old Course record of 77, a feat also shared with Young Tom.
For the occasion, a hickory tree was planted outside Pilmour House. Jamie Anderson was a clubmaker as well as a player, and hickory was used to make the shafts of golf clubs in the early days. Invited to the event were descendants of Anderson. His great grand daughter, Helen Small, her daughter Sharon and her cousin Jim Hunter attended the ceremony as did 13-year-old Camilla Tait, a talented young golfer from St Andrews, and Peter Dawson, secretary of the R & A.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, said:
"The Trust is delighted to see this recognition of Jamie Anderson and his achievements. He was a man dedicated to golf who played an important role in developing and popularising the game. It is fitting that a living memorial to this great St Andrean should exist here at the heart of the Links."
(Note: the variety of hickory planted at the Links is Carya ovata.)