THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 F. G. TAIT 
 A Record
 
 The profits accruing from the sale of this 
 
 book will be devoted to the Black Watch 
 
 Widows' and Orphans' Fund.
 
 F. G. TAIT 
 
 A Record 
 
 Being bis Xife, Xetters, an& (Bolting H>iat 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN L. LOW 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ANDREW LANG 
 
 " The good die first, 
 
 And those whose hearts are dry as summer dust 
 Burn to the socket" 
 
 XonDon 
 
 J. NISBET AND CO., Ltd. 
 
 21. BERNERS STREET
 
 G-V 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 H-f- 
 
 TV /T R. LOW has invited me to write my 
 reminiscences of the late Mr. Frederick 
 Tait. I comply out of affection for his 
 memory ; though, unhappily, my acquaintance 
 with him was but slight. That, knowing 
 him so little, and meeting him so rarely as 
 I did, I yet felt the warmest regard for him, 
 is a proof of his singularly winning nature. 
 This proof is, indeed, the most that I have 
 to offer to a record of his brief life, a life of 
 real beneficence, for he brought sunshine 
 wherever he came and a reflection of his 
 own constitutional happiness. 
 
 Our additions to the wellrbeing of the 
 world rise not so much from what we do as 
 
 5 
 
 958468
 
 Introduction 
 
 from what we are, and the most ardent 
 friend of his species may do less for it than 
 the man or woman who merely shines upon 
 it with a radiant presence. To do that was 
 the unconscious virtue of Freddie. Genius, 
 we know, has been defined as "an infinite 
 capacity for taking pains." It is rather an 
 infinite capacity for producing the right effect 
 without taking any pains. All manner of 
 painstaking is vain, says St. Paul, " if I 
 have not charity," by which he means uni- 
 versal goodwill. That was Freddie's quality: 
 you had only to look at his kind, strong, 
 friendly face, and honest eyes, to see that 
 he was full of goodwill. A child would " lay 
 his hand, unasked, in thine," Lord Tennyson 
 says of his friend : and man, woman, and 
 child had this spontaneous confidence in 
 the friend of so many of us, whose face 
 we shall not see, whose voice we shall not 
 hear again, "till dreams depart and men 
 awake." 
 
 He was a young man, a soldier, an athlete, 
 in the fulness of joyous vigour, and I was 
 at the opposite pole. But, odd as it may 
 seem, I had exactly the same sentiment to 
 
 6
 
 Introduction 
 
 Freddie as, when at school, I used to have 
 for a big, kind, football-playing elder kinsboy, 
 if the word may be coined. He was so 
 strong, so good, so jolly, so devoid of con- 
 ceit, despite his immense popularity, and 
 fame on the Links. It was on the Links at 
 St. Andrews that I generally saw him, and 
 a happy hour it was for many in that wintry 
 little town when we heard that Freddie 
 had come to lighten the murky days of 
 December or January. You saw his broad, 
 sunny smile brightening on you from far 
 away, above his broad shoulders and un- 
 dandified dress. I stop to "gaze across the 
 glooming flats " of the sodden Links, and 
 seem to see again him who is now but the 
 brightest of the shadows that haunt this 
 place of many memories. Bruce and Wallace, 
 Culdees and grim Covenanters, the frail, 
 wandering ghost of the exiled Henry VI., 
 Knox in his vigour and Knox in his decline, 
 the stern Regent Moray and the harmless 
 Lyon King-at-Arms whom he burned ; they 
 are all among our haunting shades, with 
 the Queen in her glad youth, and Chastelard, 
 here condemned to die for her, and her 
 
 7
 
 Introduction 
 
 French valet in like case, and the great 
 Cardinal in his glory, and the anxious eyes 
 of Mariotte Ogilvy, and Montrose in his 
 boyhood a thousand characters of immortal 
 memory, with the same shroud around them 
 all. But he who died in Africa, glad and 
 kind as he was brave till his latest breath 
 he, too, will not be forgotten ; he it is, next 
 to one other, younger, and as brave and kind 
 and good as he, whom I must remember 
 best and long for most. 
 
 It was rarely except on the Links that I 
 saw Freddie. It was my custom, and that of 
 several others, to walk round and watch his 
 play at golf, but I never even saw him com- 
 pete for the Medal, or in any greater contest 
 than a match over both Links with Andrew 
 Kirkcaldy. We used to make little bets with 
 him, in ordinary matches, that he would not 
 do the round under seventy-eight, or some 
 such figure, and we were apt to lose our half- 
 crowns. 
 
 At first, his extraordinary driving was the 
 chiet attraction, but he later aimed more at 
 accuracy, and drove much within his powers. 
 
 8
 
 Introduction 
 
 I remember his coming into the Club and 
 asking whether it was worth while to measure 
 a drive he had made. He had, in fact, "over- 
 powered " the Heathery Hole, the thirteenth 
 as you come in, on the right-hand course. 
 The drive has been disputed, and I only 
 narrate what I remember. Perhaps my 
 recollection is inaccurate. He was playing 
 behind his brother Willie, and, when the 
 brother and partner had played their second, 
 Freddie's ball flew over their heads, and 
 lighted on the long, narrow table-land which 
 there crosses the Links. Freddie, on ap- 
 proaching the hole, could not find his ball, 
 and, I think, gave up the hole, and then found 
 his ball about " hole-high." The day was of 
 a light frost, brilliantly sunny, and with the 
 faintest flicker of air, no breeze. I remember 
 seeing Mr. Tait measuring the distance to the 
 place where the ball was found, and I think 
 the whole extent was about 350 yards, the 
 "carry" being about 250 yards. Probably 
 there is a more authentic record than my 
 memory supplies. 
 
 Freddie became, as is well known, a 
 master in every department of golf. He 
 
 9
 
 Introduction 
 
 was not very careful, and usually smoked, 
 laying down his briar-root pipe on the grass 
 when he was making a stroke. His re- 
 source was wonderful. I remember his 
 making a beautiful approach with one foot 
 in and one out of a steep bunker, while 
 his ball trembled on a blade of grass in 
 the sand on the brink. Perhaps the last 
 time I ever saw him, his ball lay on thin 
 ice in the Scholar's Bunker. He walked in 
 over the boots, for the ice was a mere film, 
 and flicked his ball on to the green, over 
 the slight declivity which stops so many 
 an approach. 
 
 The best round I ever saw him do 
 was 72 : he was playing, I think, with Tom 
 Morris and Mr. Hull. The record pre- 
 viously was 73, and though he might have 
 been down in 71, he left himself an awk- 
 ward shortish putt, on a difficult sticky 
 green, for 72. When he had holed out 
 he said, " That putt took a year off my 
 life " : so great was the nervous tension. 
 
 These are trivial anecdotes. One day 
 his game illustrated the feebleness of human 
 
 10
 
 Introduction 
 
 evidence. He was playing in the Monthly 
 Handicap, and winning easily. But at the 
 hole beside the burn, coming in, he putted 
 to run up a hill, and roll back to the 
 hole. Forgetting that this was a solemn 
 occasion, he replaced his ball, played 
 his putt over again, and holed. Several 
 people were looking on, and someone said 
 that the putt was not orthodox. Then 
 arose a dispute as to what he had done. 
 A spectator, a townsman unknown to me, 
 maintained with so much conviction that 
 the putt was all right, that neither Tom 
 Morris nor myself could venture to say 
 exactly what had happened. Our critical 
 memories were submerged in that of the 
 earnest townsman. However, Freddie re- 
 membered, and explained and lost the 
 handicap. In weighing historical evidence 
 as to more important events, one is oc- 
 casionally reminded of this little incident. 
 
 One had no special forebodings when 
 Freddie said good-bye, and went to take his 
 part in the unhappy war. When the bitter 
 news came of Magersfontein, it was currently 
 reported in St. Andrews that Freddie had 
 
 ii
 
 Introduction 
 
 fallen. That element of the gloom was 
 presently dissipated, and no calamity could 
 have been less expected than the newspaper 
 reports of his death. There was no official 
 news for several days, and St. Andrews had 
 begun to hope again, when the newspaper 
 correspondents mentioned particulars which 
 hardly admitted of doubt. We had supposed 
 that his Magersfontein wound would have 
 made it impossible for him to take part in a 
 rapid march. Then the worst was confirmed 
 beyond doubt, and these days of anxiety 
 were over. 
 
 Hundreds of the finest young men, of both 
 parties, have fallen, and the end no man 
 foresees. All of these, in every rank, had 
 friends to whom they were as dear as Freddie 
 was to us. But none had more friends than 
 he : who was so widely known, and, wherever 
 he was known, was loved. His memory does 
 not rest on his athletic prowess. Dozens of 
 lads are acclaimed by the world of play, but 
 he would have been as much endeared to 
 those who knew him, if he had never handled 
 a club. His golf merely made him known 
 to a larger circle. I never heard a word 
 
 12
 
 Introduction 
 
 said against him, except a solitary complaint 
 that, in the lightness of his heart, he played 
 pibrochs round the drowsy town at the mid- 
 night hour. What would we not give to 
 hear his pipes again ? For himself, a soldier's 
 death, sudden and painless, was not the 
 worst of fortunes. His memory lives among 
 the glories of the Black Watch. 
 
 BEATI MORTUI QUI MORIUNTUR IN DOMINO. 
 
 A. LANG. 
 
 ALLEYNE HOUSE, 
 
 ST. ANDREWS, 
 
 December 3, 1900.
 
 AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 THE publication of this Memoir has only been 
 rendered possible by the kind co-operation 
 of Lieutenant Tait's family. I acknowledge most 
 gratefully the assistance they have given to me 
 and the graciousness with which they have done 
 everything in their power to help my efforts. To 
 Mr. A. G. Tait I am especially indebted. He has 
 been my co-worker throughout, supplying me with 
 information and furthering in every way the work 
 I have undertaken. 
 
 I acknowledge also the kindness of Mr. H. H. 
 House of Malvern College, who revised my proofs. 
 
 Some of the photographs reproduced have come 
 into my possession without the names of the artists 
 who produced them ; I regret therefore that I am 
 unable to thank them personally for their work. 
 
 I am indebted to Mr. Walter Stone for his 
 excellent photo, which I have used as the frontis- 
 piece of this book, and to Mr. W. Dod and Mr. 
 Buchardt for the snapshots they have allowed me 
 to use. Mr. Leicester Harmsworth and Mr. Garden 
 Smith have greatly assisted me in matters of refer- 
 ence. To everyone who has helped me I tender 
 
 my grateful thanks. 
 
 J. L. L. 
 
 ST. JOHN'S, SURREY. 
 October 1900.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 IF any excuse be required for this attempt 
 to put on record some of the events of 
 the life of Lieutenant F. G. Tait, it must 
 be sought for in the expediency, nay, almost 
 the necessity, of the case. 
 
 Few lives so short have been followed 
 with such interest by so large a circle of 
 friends and admirers the story of Scottish 
 Sport contains no more familiar name, the 
 tradition of Scottish Arms no braver son. 
 
 The wide-spread interest which centred 
 round him, and will continue to centre round 
 him, as long as the national game of golf is 
 played, made it necessary that a Record of 
 his feats should be published as a source of 
 reference for golfers of the present and the 
 future. 
 
 Lieutenant Tait was however more than 
 a famous golfer ; his golf was indeed but 
 
 17 B
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 the medium which brought so many within 
 the reach and influence of his charming 
 personality. 
 
 In writing a memoir of one so recently 
 dead, the writer is apt to be influenced by 
 a fictitious charity which may endanger, and 
 finally banish truth, turning what should 
 have been biography into mere eulogy. The 
 maxim " De mortuis nil nisi bonum," if 
 carried out to the full, would make history 
 impossible. Appreciating this fact I will try 
 before everything in this sketch to be true ; 
 and the nearer the truth the more pleasant 
 will the portrait be. 
 
 I am fully conscious also that I write 
 for two quite different classes of readers, 
 namely, Tait's personal friends and they 
 are many and secondly, those who followed 
 his career with interest from a less intimate 
 standpoint. It is for the first of these classes 
 that I shall primarily write, and it is from 
 them that I shall expect most sympathy and 
 indulgence. They will forgive what is poor 
 and unworthy, knowing that all has been 
 attempted only with the one idea of pre- 
 serving a memory which we mutually esteem. 
 The smaller details of schoolboy and soldier 
 life will hardly interest the general reader, 
 but he will, I trust, pardon their inclusion 
 for the sake of those who may care to dwell 
 on them. 
 
 18
 
 A Record 
 
 Lieutenant Tait's life was not one of any 
 very stirring incident. It was the life, the 
 young life, of a soldier serving in this country 
 until called upon for or, rather, volunteering 
 for service in South Africa ; yet there was 
 no one better known or more liked in Scot- 
 land, and this fact is in itself significant, 
 fpr it shows the power that an amiable per- 
 sonality, coupled with honesty and simplicity 
 of character, may, almost unconsciously, 
 wield over many men. It is an influence 
 too subtle to be defined, yet too strong and 
 certain to be gainsaid. 
 
 This power and influence Tait possessed, 
 and it makes him of interest altogether apart 
 from his brilliant achievements as a golfer. 
 
 In the following pages an endeavour will 
 be made to sketch his short life, and also 
 to give in some detail a record of his greater 
 athletic feats. 
 
 In reading those letters of Tait's which 
 I have been able to collect, I have at times 
 experienced a feeling of vividness with regard 
 to him which nothing else could have given. 
 Regarding myself as only one of many who 
 would enjoy this sense of closer recollec- 
 tion I will publish those letters which seem 
 most to reflect him to us. They are not 
 put forth as the best of his literary efforts, 
 but rather with a view to giving some echo 
 of his life and character. 
 
 19 B 2
 
 F. G Tait 
 
 If this simple record aids in any way to 
 keep fresh the memory of a brave, light- 
 hearted manly soul in the minds of those 
 who knew him, or to suggest something of 
 his worth to the less favoured, these pages 
 will still be but a small tribute to a much- 
 loved friend. 
 
 20
 
 {Pho'.o *> T. Rodger, St. Andrews. 
 
 "FREDDIE."
 
 A Record 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 EARLY DAYS. 
 
 professor Tait, whose father was private 
 secretary to the Duke of Buccleuch, was 
 born at Dalkeith in 1831, and educated at 
 the Academy and University of Edinburgh. 
 
 After leaving Edinburgh he proceeded 
 to Cambridge, where he took the highest 
 honours that scholarship could achieve, 
 graduating as Senior Wrangler and First 
 Smith's Prizeman. In 1852 he was elected a 
 Fellow of his college, Peterhouse, and in 1854 
 was appointed Professor of Mathematics at 
 Queen's College, Belfast, where he remained 
 until 1860, when he was elected to the chair 
 of Natural Philosophy at his old Edinburgh 
 home. 
 
 Throughout his forty years of Edinburgh 
 work, Professor Tait has, during the times 
 of university vacation, found such congenial 
 
 21
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 recreation on the links of St. Andrews that 
 his life has become more and more bound 
 up with the sister university town. A man 
 of many interests, with a keen insight into 
 human character, and an intense delight in 
 things humorous, he found in golfers and 
 their game much to amuse and interest 
 him. The philosophy or lack of philosophy 
 of the players he played with, or watched, 
 supplied the Professor with a feast of fun, 
 and even the ball as it was lashed through 
 the air or along the ground was for him no 
 mere toy, but a projectile whose antics had 
 meaning, a meaning indeed worthy of study 
 and discovery. 
 
 Added to this the air of St. Andrews 
 was especially suited to his health, and acted 
 as a tonic after the long work of the Edin- 
 burgh Session. Thus it was that Professor 
 Tait went to St. Andrews, and growing to 
 love the place the better as years went on, 
 he handed on this love to his children. 
 
 FREDERICK GUTHRIE TAIT was the third 
 son of Professor Tait, and was born in Edin- 
 burgh on the nth January 1870. During the 
 winter months, when the University was in 
 residence, the Tait family lived in George 
 Square, Edinburgh. The square encloses a 
 quaint old garden, common to the houses 
 surrounding it, and this garden is used as 
 the pleasure ground of the dwellers in the 
 
 22
 
 A Record 
 
 square, and the playground of their children. 
 Here then in winter, and on the sands 
 at St. Andrews in summer, young Freddie 
 disported himself, no doubt much after the 
 simple manner of folks of very tender years. 
 In the George Square garden there are many 
 trees, dark and naked indeed in winter, but 
 still trees, and as such dear to children. 
 Little boys do not look upon trees from an 
 aesthetic point of view as things to be gazed 
 at and admired ; they regard them rather as 
 things to be climbed, and as suitable ground- 
 work for the carving of names and initials. 
 
 Freddie was boyish in the best and man- 
 liest sense of the word, and it follows, there- 
 fore, that there were few trees in that garden 
 he did not climb, few smooth-barked ones 
 which did not bear his name. 
 
 One of his early playmates now resident 
 in Monte Video writes of those early days 
 at George Square as follows : 
 
 Freddie and I were constant companions, and I 
 much regret that I cannot give you any reminiscences 
 of him worth publishing. Our chief amusement 
 when together was erecting mud forts in the gardens 
 and then bombarding them with small cannon, and 
 afterwards blowing them up with underground 
 mines. We also delighted in playing tricks on the 
 gardener. Freddie was a most popular boy, and 
 was greatly respected by the others on account of 
 having his name cut on more trees in the square 
 than any other boy. 
 
 23
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Here indeed we have all the attributes 
 of a youthful hero and boy leader. What 
 boy could resist following the owner of 
 cannon, especially when he was armed also 
 with a reputation for tree-climbing and every 
 form of boy-delighting mischief ? But most 
 thrilling of all must have been the honour of 
 being chosen to join in a gardener-baiting 
 expedition under such a leader. On these 
 occasions the command is not entrusted 
 lightly to anyone anxious to take it. The 
 affair is of too much moment for a luck-and- 
 pluck policy, and the chance of capture and 
 the strong right hand of the horticulturist 
 are not risks to be faced without trepidation. 
 That Freddie was the chosen leader in all 
 such escapades I have heard from several 
 sources, and this pre-eminence must have 
 been thrust upon him ; for any desire to push 
 himself forward was utterly foreign to his 
 character. 
 
 At St. Andrews, and at the age of five, 
 Freddie laid down the wooden spade and 
 the sand-bucket, and took up in their place 
 a little club of wood. This tiny weapon had 
 but little form and no lead ; still it was the 
 rude forefather of clubs destined in the same 
 hands to do mighty deeds in after years. 
 Freddie had however even before this early 
 date taken an interest in golf balls, if not in 
 golf clubs. An elder brother of his had 
 
 24
 
 A Record 
 
 noticed that his stock of balls was gradually 
 diminishing day by day. No explanation 
 could be suggested, and no clue as to the 
 culprit discovered. One day however it was 
 noticed, when mention of the lost balls was 
 made in the course of conversation, that a look 
 of superior knowledge and intelligence came 
 over little Freddie's countenance. Freddie 
 had given himself away and was at once 
 placed under surveillance. Soon after he was 
 seen wending his way to the garden, bearing a 
 ball in each hand ; he was watched, and 
 caught in the act of carefully burying them. 
 Freddie was not however working after the 
 fashion of our canine friends, planting the 
 balls in a place of security that at his coming 
 again he might find them safe and sound ; his 
 scheme involved a more advanced sense of 
 economic law. He was moreover acting to 
 some extent on the strength of a fact he had 
 experience of, only he was unaware that this 
 fact was incapable of universal application. 
 He had seen the gardener both planting pota- 
 toes and reaping his harvest and noted the 
 multiplication ; so the youthful culprit turned 
 out after all to be, not an embryo burglar, 
 but only an experimental philosopher. 
 
 From golf on the sands with a leadless 
 club Freddie advanced in his golfing career, 
 until, at the age of seven, he began to play 
 on the long links with children of his own 
 
 25
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 age. Practising from early in the day until 
 dusk, he soon improved under the tuition of 
 his father, who was wont to be on the links 
 long before the breakfast hour. Probably 
 owing to his father's advice, Freddie learned 
 to putt with a cleek, and those who remember 
 the Professor's putting in those days will 
 easily understand the reason of the pupil's 
 early success. 
 
 Freddie's high spirits frequently led him 
 into mischief, but mischief of a more or less 
 harmless nature. 
 
 One Sunday whether because the subject 
 of the discourse was beyond his grasp, or 
 because his mind on this particular day 
 desired lighter and more humorous food, I 
 cannot say Freddie laughed, and that aloud, 
 just at the time when a boy of eight 
 years old is expected to be listening calmly 
 and attentively to the ecclesiastical word of 
 advice. The late Master of Peterhouse, 
 Dr. Porter, was at the time a guest at Pro- 
 fessor Tait's house. At his instigation poor 
 Freddie was made the object of a conspiracy 
 of terror. A plot was laid for him, and 
 owing to his tender years he fell into the 
 midst of it. Next morning's post brought 
 the culprit two letters the first from Mr. 
 Tuttiett, the rector of the church in which 
 the offence had been committed, and the 
 second from no less a person than the late 
 
 26
 
 A Record 
 
 Dr. Charles Wordsworth, the Bishop of 
 St. Andrews. The letters were of course 
 forgeries, and had been written by some 
 friends, guests of the Taits. Freddie was 
 young and unsuspecting, and the epistles 
 completely deceived him and threw him into 
 a state of no small consternation. Here is 
 the first of the terror-striking letters. 
 
 Monday, 
 
 26th August, 1878. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 It was with inexpressible pain that I observed 
 your irreverent conduct in my church on Sunday 
 evening last. I intend calling a vestry meeting to- 
 morrow at noon, that we may decide what steps 
 it will be necessary to take in the matter. 
 I remain, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 LAURENCE TUTTIETT. 
 
 P.S. May I suggest that a handsome donation 
 on your part towards the Church Cushion and 
 Hassock Fund might possibly improve your position 
 with the vestry ? 
 
 P.P.S. Should you care to avail yourself of the 
 friendly hint contained in my postcript, it might 
 be as well to send your contribution before noon 
 to-morrow. 
 
 L.T. 
 
 Now Mr. Tuttiett was the meekest of 
 men, and this letter alone would not perhaps 
 have had sufficient effect on the interrupter 
 of sermons. Far otherwise was it with the 
 
 27
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 second missive, for Dr. Wordsworth, though 
 there was nothing but charity and goodwill to 
 men in his character, had so commanding and 
 majestic an appearance and was even at that 
 time so powerful and athletic a man, that the 
 threat of corporal punishment at such hands 
 was enough to frighten the lad indeed. Thus 
 ran his letter : 
 
 Bishopshall, 
 
 Monday, 
 
 26th August, 1878. 
 Sir, 
 
 As I was approaching the sixteenth head of 
 my discourse on Sunday evening, my attention was 
 arrested by an unseemly tittering proceeding from a 
 pew in front of me. I have since ascertained that 
 you are the delinquent, and I beg to inform you 
 that I shall, on the first opportunity that presents 
 itself, administer personal chastisement with a very 
 thick stick, that invariably accompanies me when I 
 take my walks abroad. 
 
 I remain, 
 
 Yours episcopally, - 
 
 CHARLES WORDSWORTH, 
 Bishop of St. Andrews. 
 
 Freddie was of high spirit and hated 
 to be corrected, and his temperament did 
 not brook interference. Still, there was the 
 big stick and the strong arm of ecclesi- 
 astical authority to be reckoned with, so in 
 his extremity he sought counsel of his friends, 
 who, while accentuating his fears by their 
 
 28
 
 A Record 
 
 appearance of sincerity, advised him to write 
 to the bishop a letter of apology. This 
 Freddie did, though the letter of course 
 never reached the episcopal eye. Three days 
 of fear and trembling passed, and on the 
 fourth came the following : 
 
 Bishopshall, 
 
 3oth Augitst, 1878. 
 Sir, 
 
 I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 communication of Tuesday last. For the last three 
 days I have given my best consideration to the 
 appeal for mercy therein contained. I must admit 
 that the penitential spirit in which you have written 
 has done much to mitigate the severity of my 
 feeling towards you, and should your present dis- 
 position continue, there is a probability that you 
 may yet escape the condign punishment of your 
 offence. I must however warn you that, should you 
 repeat your misconduct, you will most certainly 
 become acquainted with a very MUCH THICKER 
 stick than the one referred to in my first letter. I 
 have only to state in conclusion that I shall keep 
 my eye well fixed next Sunday morning on a certain 
 pew in the side aisle. 
 
 I remain, 
 
 Yours episcopally, 
 
 CHARLES WORDSWORTH, 
 Bishop of St. Andrews. 
 
 The Bishop had by this time been told 
 of the jest, and thoroughly entered into the 
 spirit of the fun. He indeed asked if he 
 
 29
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 could do anything to help the conspirators' 
 and remarked to one of the forgers, " Shall 
 I frown on the lad if I meet him." 
 
 His kindly letter however set Freddie's 
 mind at ease, for it was now no longer neces- 
 sary for him to watch with fearful eye for 
 Dr. Wordsworth with his rod of chastisement 
 in hand. I cannot say if there was any very 
 lasting improvement in Freddie's conduct, 
 but that he was truly grateful to the supposed 
 leniency of the prelate is proved by the follow- 
 ing extract from his will, written shortly after 
 the events just described : 
 
 I leave my ring to the Bishop of St. Andrews, 
 in grateful remembrance of his kindness to his 
 penitent son in 1878. 
 
 Freddie commenced at a very early age 
 to make use of the divine weed, and many of 
 his contemporaries remember, with more 
 vividness than pleasure, the circumstances of 
 their failure to keep pace with him in the 
 practice of the narcotic habit. He was 
 always a great smoker, and at one time never 
 had a pipe out of his mouth when playing 
 golf. During the last two or three years of 
 his life he gave up, to a great extent, the 
 custom of smoking while playing, though I 
 do not know if his total consumption of 
 tobacco really decreased. 
 
 After having been some time at a pre- 
 paratory school Freddie went to the Edin- 
 
 30
 
 A Record 
 
 burgh Academy in the winter of 1881. His 
 class master was the late James Carmichael, 
 and under his charge he remained for two 
 years, another great athlete, H. J. Stevenson, 
 being among the instructed ones. 
 
 Although Freddie never won the class 
 medal, he always received his share of praise 
 from his master, while his class-mates held 
 him in high honour as leader in everything 
 which was dear to the schoolboy love of 
 adventure. His interest in the Academy 
 was sustained throughout his career, and 
 one of the very last things he did before 
 sailing for South Africa was to wire to 
 Edinburgh to ascertain how the Old Boys' 
 football club had fared in their match with 
 the Watsonians. 
 
 It is the usual custom at the Academy 
 for each class to form itself into a club, which 
 meets once a year to discuss old days and a 
 dinner together. Many of the boys, years 
 after they have left school, travel from all 
 parts of the country in order to be present 
 at this function. Each year a new chairman 
 is elected, and in January, 1900, Freddie's 
 turn would have come to take the seat of 
 honour. The call to arms came however 
 and he was unable to undertake the duties, 
 but he wrote to say that all being well he 
 hoped to be present at the next meeting in 
 January 1901, when he would be able to give
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 his old friends his experiences of South Africa. 
 It is one of the sad but necessary features 
 of such gatherings that time makes gaps in 
 every circle, and the new faces can never 
 take the place of the old ; Freddie's bright face 
 and cheery laugh will no more bring joy to the 
 social board, but his memory will be long 
 cherished by his old Academy schoolfellows. 
 
 Freddie from his earliest days was in- 
 tensely keen on all out-door sports, and during 
 his first year at the Academy he played with 
 much pride in the yth XV. and the 8th XL 
 
 In the spring of the years 1882 and 1883 
 Freddie took part in the golf competition for 
 Academy boys under 15 years of age. The 
 play was one round of Musselburgh Links, 
 and he made the following scores 54 in 1882 
 and 61 in 1883. In the former year Freddie 
 was successful in gaining the second prize 
 probably his first golfing victory.* 
 
 He left the school while still a very little 
 boy, and of course never received his football 
 or cricket colours, but his loyalty to the old 
 place he never lost, and in later years when 
 at Edinburgh University, or later still, when 
 quartered with the Black Watch at the 
 Castle, he was wont to express the greatest 
 satisfaction when the Academy had beaten 
 any of their formidable school rivals. 
 
 * I am indebted to his " caddie," Mr. G. H. Lindsay, who was 
 one of Freddie's class fellows, for this interesting record. 
 
 32
 
 A Record 
 
 At St. Andrews Freddie early made the 
 acquaintance of the sea, and soon became 
 an expert swimmer. His bathing-place was 
 of course at the far famed " step rock," where 
 the water, varying from shallow to deep, is 
 suitable for all classes of bathers. Freddie 
 was not long in making good his claim to 
 be allowed to bathe on the " deep side," and 
 his joy was great when he at last swam across 
 the " step," a distance of some 100 yards, and 
 felt himself for the future master of the 
 situation. 
 
 In the summer of 1882 Freddie is seen in 
 a new light ; for, although his Diary with 
 details of all his matches does not commence 
 until 1884, still in this summer he first began 
 his habit of noting down his scores. The 
 boys he played with were Norman Playfair 
 (now Captain in the King's Own Scottish 
 Borderers), John Stewart (now Captain 
 Stewart), and Ernley Blackwell, and they no 
 doubt proved worthy antagonists. Scores 
 written on old envelopes, with the remark, 
 " Round in 105 ; played very fairly," or 
 "Round in no; not at my best," are still 
 extant, and are indicative of his early meth- 
 odical habits. When a stroke might have 
 been saved, he makes a note of the circum- 
 stances for future guidance. It was in this 
 year 1882 that he first succeeded in going 
 round under 100, and his satisfaction at this 
 
 33 c
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 feat is proved by the remark, " Round in 98 ; 
 played splendidly." His style in those days 
 was extremely neat, and many good judges saw 
 a brilliant career before him. Mr. Macfie was, 
 I fancy, the first really great player he played 
 with, but Freddie was of course at that time 
 in receipt of very liberal odds. 
 
 Playing constantly under the able tuition 
 of an elder brother, himself a crack player, 
 and in practice always playing seriously, it is 
 little wonder that he turned out to be the 
 brilliant player of later years. Freddie began 
 to keep an account of his matches in 1884, 
 and never departed from this habit up to 
 the end, his last match of importance being 
 against Mr. John Ball at St. Anne's, shortly 
 before he sailed for South Africa. 
 
 What I have said about his early play 
 will be sufficient to justify the remark which 
 Tait made in later years to the Czar of 
 Russia, when that august personage ques- 
 tioned him about his golf: " / took to it seriously 
 when I was eight years old." 
 
 34
 
 ALEC" AND "FREDDIE.
 
 A Record 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 SEDBERGH. 
 
 May 1883 December 1886. 
 
 MAINLY on the advice of Bishop Sand- 
 ford, at that time rector of St. John's, 
 Edinburgh, and a great friend of the Tait 
 family, Freddie was sent to Sedbergh School 
 in the May Term of 1883. 
 
 Schoolboy life at any of the large Public 
 Schools of England is a record of work and 
 play, differing but slightly for one boy or 
 another. The boys being thrown by the nature 
 of school discipline and the system of school 
 routine into clubs and classes, have in a 
 measure to sink their own individuality and 
 become immersed in the whole life of the 
 school. From their point of view, indeed, 
 there are incidents and experiences of great 
 moment ; for it is just when things are actual 
 and present that they look big. 
 
 Time changes the perspective, and after- 
 wards on looking back one day seems to have 
 been much the same as another, and we 
 cannot understand why we could really have 
 
 35 c 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 thought it important whether we played foot- 
 ball for our house or not, or whether our 
 report read " conduct good " or " conduct 
 inclined to be rowdy." 
 
 But small details, even when, as must 
 needs be, they are of a common-place nature, 
 are often of interest when they concern one 
 whose memory we hold dear. At the risk 
 of appearing to some to be trivial, I will 
 tell some of these little things. 
 
 Freddie's life at Sedbergh was simply that 
 of a happy schoolboy doing his best at work 
 and at games, for school or house. It is 
 fourteen years since he left the Yorkshire 
 school, and masters and old boys remember 
 him as a bright, manly boy, keen at work 
 and play, fresh of face and strong of limb, 
 a fine example of what the old school could 
 produce. 
 
 At the end of his first year, Mr. Mackie, 
 his house-master, wrote : " He is a thoroughly 
 jolly boy, with any amount of backbone 
 developing itself." 
 
 Freddie had no great liking for the study 
 of the dead languages, Greek, indeed, being 
 quite annoying to him. " Greek is awful 
 muck ; I do not think I shall ever be able 
 to do it," he writes to his brother Alec 
 in his second term, and he did not sub- 
 sequently change his mind in favour of the 
 ancient authors. 
 
 36
 
 A Record 
 
 The small pleasures of school life were 
 however his, and he enjoyed them when they 
 came to him, as in the shape of a present of 
 eggs from his aunt. " I shall have grand 
 breakfasts and teas now for a long time with 
 your eggs," was his way of expressing his 
 thanks words which showed an anticipatory 
 pleasure in a simple, but thoroughly excellent 
 and satisfactory form of enjoyment. 
 
 His whole letter is so characteristic that I 
 give it in full : 
 
 Sedbergh, 
 
 9 March, 1884. 
 My dear Aunt Jane, 
 
 The eggs came yesterday, and there was 
 only one a little bit broken. I am glad to hear that 
 you thought my report was good. What does the 
 governor think of it ? Our house played Hart's 
 house on Wednesday, and licked them by one goal 
 and four tries to nothing. The team was barring 
 the fellows in the First Fifteen in each house. I 
 had one place kick, and kicked a goal the only one 
 we got, because the wind was rather strong, and it 
 was difficult to kick straight. 
 
 I hope you are well. I shall have grand break- 
 fasts and teas now for a long time with your eggs. 
 Did you get the postcard ? It is a very nice day ; 
 I will have a jolly walk this afternoon from 2 
 till 4.30. Tell Edith to be quick with the patterns*; 
 if she wants to get a good one, get 283 ; it is a 
 pipe-rack ; it will do very well for the Bishop. I 
 
 * The patterns referred to were for fretsaw work. 
 
 37
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 was at tea with Mr. Quick, the minister here he 
 asks out four boys out of each house at a time. 
 We had a very good tea. 
 
 So with love to all, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Thanks very much for the eggs. They are a very 
 welcome present. 
 
 His mind was already set firmly on his 
 future profession, which he was keenly anxious 
 to enter upon as soon as possible. Writing 
 to his mother in April, 1884, he bemoans the 
 fact that he is not yet full enough of years 
 to enter the Army. " I wish I was about 
 four years older, and I could easily get into 
 the Army, now that there is going to be a 
 war with Russia." Britain's time for fighting, 
 like Freddie's, was however not yet come, 
 and the schoolboy had to wait many years 
 before he could prove to the full in his 
 country's cause the "good backbone " which 
 was in him. 
 
 In the same month April, 1884 an 
 incident occurred which in many ways was 
 the most significant in his school career. It 
 showed Freddie, perhaps for the first time in 
 his life, brought face to face with a great 
 crisis, suddenly called upon to do the right 
 thing to act, in short, the man's part. 
 While on a walk in the Yorkshire Fells he 
 saved a schoolfellow named Craggs from 
 
 38
 
 A Record 
 
 drowning, and showed exceptional presence 
 of mind and courage. The adventure took 
 place near the junction of the Rawthey and 
 the Dee, some two miles from the school ; the 
 spot is well known to Sedbergh boys as 
 " Lord's Dub." I have never heard Tait 
 mention the incident, and during his life he 
 would not have permitted the facts to have 
 been published ; but now he can be allowed 
 to tell the story in his simple schoolboy way, 
 just as he told it in a letter to his brother at 
 the time : 
 
 Last Sunday after I had written my letter, D 
 
 and I were out for a walk and we went to cross the 
 river at a place where it was about 6 feet across 
 and it was between two rocks about 6 feet above the 
 level of the water, and all the big river was crowded 
 into the little place. Of course the current was very 
 
 strong and D and I jumped across and got 
 
 across all right. There was another fellow in our 
 house who was there and thought he would try it, so 
 he jumped across and his foot slipped, and down he 
 went with the waterfall and he went right under the 
 water. As the place is about 10 feet deep and the 
 waterfall pressing the water down from the top, he 
 stayed under a good long time. So as soon as 
 
 D saw it, he began to shout like anything for 
 
 help, and as there was nobody there it was of no 
 good, so I stood still and waited till he came up, 
 and before I could get at him down he went again, 
 but the next time when he came up I climbed down 
 the rock to the side of the water just below the fall, 
 
 39
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and when he came up the second time I caught hold 
 of his hand and began to lug him out. But he was 
 such a weight that he nearly dragged me in, but I 
 
 got D to take my other hand, and with his help 
 
 we lugged him out quite insensible, and as he had 
 lost his hat I gave him mine. We had to take him 
 home about a mile and a half, it was very hard ; as 
 soon as we got him home we took off all his clothes 
 and put him into bed and went and pulled all the 
 rugs off the other beds and made him warm. Then 
 Mrs. Mackie came up and gave him something hot 
 to take, and he is all better now. . . . The 
 place is a very dangerous place for anyone to cross, 
 even if they can swim, because the rocks go almost 
 straight up from the water. I do not know at all 
 how I got down the side because it is so slippery, a 
 lot of people have been drowned in it three boys 
 from the school within the last 20 years, and a cart 
 and horse, and two people, and a father and son 
 from Kendal, so the boy Craggs had a lucky escape. 
 Can you find any small brass guns in the house ; I 
 tell you where I think there is one, in my tool chest 
 in the press in your room. . . . 
 
 It is quite a simple story, and Freddie 
 does not seem to attach any great impor- 
 tance to his brave act, and it would seem, 
 indeed, that " the small brass guns " were 
 uppermost in his mind. That his conduct 
 really showed rare courage and was in every 
 way remarkable on this occasion, I have 
 heard from his master, Mr. Mackie, who 
 regarded Freddie's action as a great one. 
 
 40
 
 A Record 
 
 In a letter of thanks written at the time, 
 Mrs. Craggs says : 
 
 The more I think of the gallant rescue of my boy, 
 the more I feel how thankful I ought to be to you. 
 Such presence of mind in anyone so young is seldom 
 called forth. . . . 
 
 The whole story is suggestive and indica- 
 tive of a very marked phase in young Tait's 
 character, and one which developed itself 
 as his years increased. Tait was never quite 
 at his best until he was "cornered"; the 
 bigger the job the better did he do it ; he 
 succeeded just at the moment when one 
 would have expected anyone else to fail. In 
 later years as a golfer this was one of his 
 great characteristics, namely, his ability to 
 rise to the occasion ; to do a great thing 
 when all looked hopeless ; to snatch a victory 
 out of the fire. It was a quality which, had 
 his military career not been cut short, would 
 have helped him to show the courage and 
 resource, if need be, of a Baden-Powell. 
 
 Each July Freddie took his prize in Mathe- 
 matics and French, these were his favourite 
 subjects ; Euclid especially seemed to meet 
 with his favour. He was keen to do well in 
 his work, keen especially that the home circle 
 should get a good "report" of him at the 
 term's end. When writing home week by 
 week, he would tell where he stood in his 
 form and what prospects of gaining a prize
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 or getting his remove were before him. 
 Always methodical by nature, he early started 
 to keep a diary, a small book full of little 
 notes as to cricket, work, and items of school 
 news. A new cook came to his house, and 
 Freddie at once started to weigh up her 
 ability by detailing her week's menu. All 
 went well for six days, but on the seventh 
 the report concludes with a dreadful des- 
 cription of the haddocks which she supplied 
 for breakfast, " rotten " being the mildest 
 and least suggestive epithet applied to the 
 fish. 
 
 In 1886 he received his First Fifteen 
 colours for football, and earlier in the same 
 year was tried for the Eleven, but failed finally 
 to get a place. His keenness for all games 
 was intense, and he would count the days 
 that had to be lived before the next cricket 
 or football match. When quite a little boy, 
 and not yet playing in the school or house 
 matches, his heroes were taken from the 
 playing fields of Sedbergh. Earliest and 
 chief among these great and almost in- 
 accessible deities was Charles Toppin, who 
 had at that time just left Sedbergh for 
 Cambridge. In Freddie's view, the idea 
 of anyone attempting to play the bowling of 
 so great a man was almost irreligious. Writ- 
 ing to his uncle, Dr. Porter, the late master of 
 Peterhouse, and for many years the popular 
 
 42
 
 A Record 
 
 treasurer of the Cambridge University Cricket 
 Club, he says : " See that Toppin gets into 
 the eleven, he can bowl any man in England 
 in four balls." Toppin, of course, got into 
 the eleven, and was in his day one of the 
 best fast bowlers in England. Freddie 
 watched his hero's progress, and after the 
 'Varsity match of 1885 we find him writing to 
 his brother : " Cambridge won after all, and 
 Toppin won it too ; and he is also playing 
 for the Gentlemen v Players at the Oval." 
 There is an air of triumph about this. He 
 seems to say : "I told you that if anyone 
 could win this match my man alone could do 
 it." Later on he writes home to say : " Top- 
 pin is going to play for the old boys at the end 
 of the term, so we won't get many runs." 
 He was a devoted Sedberghian, and long after 
 he left the school he watched the doings of 
 old Sedberghians in the arena of life or sport 
 with steadfast interest. 
 
 Freddie also managed to introduce a little 
 golf into Sedbergh ; at least the appliances 
 were imported. A boy at school had some 
 clubs, so " two golf balls " were asked for 
 from Edinburgh, and duly arrived, together 
 with some "ginger and chocolate " all doubt- 
 less welcome. None of these gifts were 
 however destined to last, for the ginger and 
 chocolate met the fate which must always 
 attend such popular visitors at a Public 
 
 43
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 School, and the golf-balls were lost during 
 the first day's play. 
 
 Nothing has up till now been said about 
 Freddie's golf during this Sedbergh period. 
 In truth, it has been purposely omitted owing 
 to a desire to keep the golfing side of his life, 
 and especially the greater events of it, separate 
 from his true life-story. It is not, however, 
 possible, nor indeed desirable, for the two 
 stories not to intertwine to some extent. In 
 order to place them in their proper environ- 
 ment, the golfing incidents must find some 
 place in the biographical side of this memoir. 
 Chronological fitness demands this, and true 
 portraiture requires it still more. We must 
 look at Tait with binocular vision if we would 
 get the best view of his life and character. 
 
 Were we to represent him as caring for 
 nothing but his work when at school, and with 
 no thought but for his profession when in the 
 army, we should be giving a false picture of 
 the boy and the man. 
 
 Tait perhaps even more than most boys, 
 preferred football and cricket to Latin and 
 Greek, and as a soldier he never pretended 
 that a barrack-square parade was always more 
 congenial to him than a day on the links or 
 the moors. His schoolboy chapter would 
 therefore be incomplete without a passing 
 reference to his golf during his later Sedbergh 
 days. 
 
 44
 
 A Record 
 
 The summer holidays of 1886 were spent 
 at St. Andrews, and Freddie played golf 
 nearly every day. About this time he com- 
 menced to keep a record of his matches in a 
 small book suitable for the purpose, and his 
 record for the holidays reads " Played 89 
 matches from July 3ist till iyth September ; 
 won 50, lost 24, halved 15. Holes won 281, 
 lost 53." At the end of the record of each 
 match it was his custom to make some com- 
 ment on the play, and these remarks are very 
 candid, and to all appearances just. In his 
 criticisms he does not spare himself, his part- 
 ner, nor his opponents, but deals out praise 
 and censure with a level hand. In a match 
 against himself, and presumably included 
 among the " halved " rounds, he says, " Played 
 as bad a round as possible ; " and again, 
 " Never played worse, with the exception ot 
 a few iron shots." 
 
 Freddie includes his opponent when he 
 writes of one match, " The characteristic of 
 the game was the bad play of both." It is 
 to his partner that he alludes when he says 
 " The play of Mr. Blank was feeble in the 
 extreme." In another match when Freddie 
 and his partner won by 12 holes, one of their 
 opponents " sulked and went away four holes 
 from home " ; there is no further record of 
 play with this gentleman his retirement from 
 the sphere of Tait's golf was final, as well 
 as undignified. 
 
 45
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Some idea as to the strength of his game 
 at this time may be obtained from the fact 
 that with the aid of six shots he could play 
 and beat Mr. A. F. Macfie in two matches 
 played on Aug. 3Oth, 1886. At the same 
 odds he also defeated Captain W. H. Burn a 
 few days later, but lost to his brother Jack, 
 who conceded Freddie four strokes. Young 
 Tait's better rounds averaged a little above 
 90, but on one occasion he records a round 
 of 86, probably his best at this period. In 
 matches Freddie at this time played about 
 level with Mr. Norman Playfair, Mr. Heriot, 
 and Mr. Boothby, all afterwards fine players, 
 the last named, indeed, at his best having 
 few superiors. 
 
 Enough has been said to determine Tait's 
 golfing status at the end of these Sedbergh 
 days, enough to enable us to watch from this 
 point onwards the progress of his play. 
 
 In December, 1886, Freddie said farewell 
 to Sedbergh. He was in the Fifth Form, 
 and, though always a steady worker, had not 
 shown any exceptional ability as a scholar. 
 His school life had been a happy one. 
 Frankness of disposition and joviality of 
 temperament the latter often showing itself 
 in the form of practical jokes and little 
 schoolboy escapades, and the whole toned 
 and influenced by an intense love of home 
 and a great affection for his parents form 
 the leading features of his character at this 
 
 46
 
 A Record 
 
 time. Freddie's nature was always affec- 
 tionate, and this was probably the keynote 
 of his subsequent popularity. He seemed to 
 like most people with whom he came into con- 
 tact to see the good in them, to understand 
 the weaker side as well and as a result 
 of this amiable view of life his acquaint- 
 ances, as well as his friends, were irresistibly 
 drawn to him. He left his school to enter 
 upon his bigger life without an enemy, and 
 already with a crowd of friends. 
 
 Behind and above a certain seat in the 
 dining-hall of Mr. Mackie's house at Sed- 
 bergh hang two photographs. The seat was 
 Freddie's, and the one picture represents him 
 as he was in his early Sedbergh schooldays, 
 with that bright, almost mischievous look 
 which all Old Sedberghians of his time will 
 remember. The other photograph is taken 
 some fifteen years later ; it is the picture of 
 the young soldier, ready to start for the 
 Front. But the two are almost the same in 
 feature and expression, for in the man no 
 charm of youth has disappeared ; there has 
 been no change, only development. Tait 
 was indeed still a Sedbergh boy in spirit, 
 fresh and young and strong, rejoicing in 
 to-day and planning some sport for to- 
 morrow, when he entered on his life's last 
 term of service for school, for country, and 
 for Empire, in South Africa. 
 
 47
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 T 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 EDINBURGH AND SANDHURST. 
 1887-1900. 
 
 HE first six months of 1887 Tait spent 
 at Blackheath, where he "coached" 
 with a view to entering Sandhurst, but was 
 unsuccessful in the examination, which was 
 held in July. It was then determined that he 
 should enter the Army as a University candi- 
 date, and he accordingly went to Edinburgh 
 University in October. 
 
 From July to October the Tait family 
 were at St. Andrews, and from a golfing point 
 of view the months are interesting, as show- 
 ing a marked improvement in Freddie's game. 
 He is now able to play Mr. Macfie at the 
 reduced odds of four shots, and he plays his 
 brother Jack on even terms, and scores his 
 first victory over him. The elder brother 
 however took a terrible revenge on his youth- 
 ful opponent a few days later, when he beat 
 
 48
 
 [Photo by Hill & Sounders. 
 
 F. Q. TAIT AS A SANDHURST CADET.
 
 A Record 
 
 him by a pocketful of holes. His matches, 
 as was the good habit in those days, were 
 mostly foursomes, and he had the advantage 
 of playing more than once against Jamie 
 Anderson, probably the finest of all iron 
 players. " Anderson played beautifully," 
 Tait writes in his notebook, and of the after- 
 noon round he says, " Jamie Anderson played 
 even better than in the morning." His influ- 
 ence on Freddie's game must have been 
 beneficial, though it is to other sources that 
 we must look for the development of Tait's 
 style ; but as the place for such discussion is 
 not here, we will leave it to its proper place 
 and follow him to Edinburgh. 
 
 To enter Sandhurst as a University can- 
 didate from Edinburgh, it was necessary to 
 pass the " Examination of Candidates for the 
 Army." The subjects which Tait took up 
 were Mathematics, English Literature, and 
 Latin. Mathematics and English Literature 
 he passed in March, 1888, and in October 
 completed his preliminary examination by 
 passing in Latin. 
 
 Tait enjoyed his Edinburgh days, and 
 entered into the full life of the University 
 with great enthusiasm. He joined the Uni- 
 versity Company of the Queen's Edinburgh 
 Volunteers, and in July, 1888, he went to 
 "camp out" with them at Earlscraig, near 
 Elie. He naturally became a member of the 
 
 49 D
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 University Golf Club, and was more or less 
 successful in prize-winning, gaining the gold 
 medal of the club at North Berwick in July, 
 1889. Among the best-known of his Edin- 
 burgh friends were Mr. Ian Mclntyre, Mr. H. 
 J. Stevenson, and Mr. James Currie. Mr. 
 James Currie has recently been appointed 
 principal of the new Khartoum College, and 
 Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Mclntyre are house- 
 hold names wherever Rugby football is 
 played. 
 
 With Mr. Ian Mclntyre he entered con 
 amore into all sports, from cricket to rat- 
 catching. Writing of Tait's University days, 
 Mr. Mclntyre says : 
 
 The recollection of the individual days and hours 
 that I spent with Freddie at the University is 
 indistinct, but the nett result was a strong and sure 
 affection for him, which only grew the stronger and 
 more sure the more I saw of him. 
 
 We see, then, the same impression left at 
 the University which was left at school the 
 same affection gained, the same power of 
 attraction shown. It is the dominant motif 
 of a life which was not without much music 
 in it ; it is a motif which we shall find increas- 
 ing in power throughout each scene. 
 
 In 1888 Tait played a lot of golf; more 
 than 1 20 matches are recorded in his match- 
 book. On July 3 ist we find the record of a 
 match with Mr. Norman Playfair, which Tait 
 
 50
 
 A Record 
 
 lost by 7 : " Driving very poor. Put a ball 
 through a man's hat and had to pay 55." In 
 the afternoon, however, Tait seems to have 
 kept the line better, for he beat his opponent 
 by 5 holes, and no further casualties are 
 reported. The moment Freddie made the 
 almost fatal shot just recorded Norman 
 Playfair shouted out " You've got him " 
 and so he had. Freddie was somewhat 
 annoyed at having to part with the five 
 shillings, and took that king of kindly 
 counsellors Old Tom into his confidence 
 in the hope that he would gain from his 
 old friend some consolation. But Tom 
 could not be persuaded that Freddie was 
 the injured party ; his thought was rather 
 one of gladness that the feat had been 
 accomplished without any real injury. He 
 saw that Freddie's driving needed more 
 "control," so he replied: " Ah, Master 
 Freddie, ye may be vera thankful that it's 
 only a hat and no an oak coffin ye hae to 
 pay for." 
 
 It has been recorded of Tait that : 
 
 During his boyhood, when he came over to 
 St. Andrews for the holidays, he was regarded by 
 contemporary youngsters as a suitable object of the 
 hero-worship often characteristic of that age. It is 
 narrated by some of these, with sentiments of 
 befitting reverence, how he was the hero of three 
 remarkable exploits in the course of one day, to wit, 
 
 51 D 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 firstly, how he drove a ball through a man's hat ; 
 secondly, how he drove a long iron shot up to the 
 sixth hole green how the ball pitched in the hole 
 and remained there ; thirdly, how, having lost a 
 knife while pottering about in the sands in the 
 morning, he went down late in the day, when the 
 tide was up, waded about, and, feeling something 
 with his foot, discovered that the knife had got 
 inserted between two of his toes. 
 
 It seems almost a pity to spoil so good a 
 story by being hypercritical, and to wrench the 
 tale from the realms of romantic tradition only 
 to place it in the cold light of history. But 
 lest there be some who doubt the facts as 
 presented to them in hearsay form, let them 
 know of a truth that these things were so. 
 I have not the details of the knife incident, 
 but have already set forth the facts of the 
 punctured hat adventure, and trust that they 
 are circumstantial enough to put to the blush 
 all doubters. 
 
 Of the third feat we have abundant proot 
 as to date and circumstances. Tait was 
 playing with Mr. Macfie on August 2nd, 1888, 
 and his note on the match is as follows 
 
 A fine match all through. F. G. T., round in 86. 
 Out, 56564363 4=42. In, 43556565 5=44- 
 Total, 86. Remember 6th hole ! A full iron fell 
 into hole and stuck. Extraordinary. 
 
 We might add with our old friend the 
 schoolmaster, " Prodigious ! " The evidence 
 
 52
 
 A Record 
 
 therefore goes to show that these feats were 
 accomplished, though not on the same day, 
 nor when Tait was a schoolboy, but such dis- 
 crepancies, apologists would tell us only prove 
 the truth of the narrative ; in this case, how- 
 ever, no proof is needed. The match just 
 recorded has something more of interest in it 
 than the incident at the sixth hole. It was, I 
 believe, the first time that Tait played Mr. 
 Macfie on level terms, and on this occasion 
 he halved the morning round and gained the 
 second round by one hole. Mr. Macfie had 
 however just very slightly the best of it in 
 subsequent matches during this year. The 
 two played many matches together from the 
 time when Tait received his six strokes, until, 
 as Mr. Everard says, " the odds of a third 
 became a vanishing quantity so far as Mr. 
 Macfie was concerned, or for that matter any- 
 body else." Though Tait differed almost 
 entirely in style from Mr. Macfie, we are 
 inclined to think that he learned something 
 of his grace and accuracy of hitting from the 
 latter's beautiful play. 
 
 After the autumn spent in St. Andrews, 
 and his subsequent success in his October 
 examination, Tait, toward the end of the year, 
 proceeded to Rouen, where he studied French 
 for six months. He boarded with a French 
 family in the old cathedral city and enjoyed 
 the companionship of Mr. A. S. Wingate, and 
 
 53
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Mr. Arthur Houston, now in the Indian Staff 
 Corps, who were also studying with a view to 
 the Sandhurst examination. Mr. Wingate 
 afterwards joined the Gordon Highlanders, and 
 was killed on the fatal day of Magersfontein. 
 Writing in February to his aunt, 
 
 Mrs. , from Rouen, Tait gives some 
 
 description of his impressions of the place. 
 
 I thought perhaps you might like to hear a little 
 about the place. I don't know whether you have 
 been to Rouen or not, but at any rate I will give 
 you a short description of it. It is a very interesting 
 town, for many reasons. All the churches are 
 splendid, and the cathedral is magnificent. The 
 spire of the cathedral is made of iron, and you can 
 see all round about when you are going up not 
 like most spires, where you are almost in total 
 darkness all the time. The height of the spire is 
 450 feet. The river runs through the middle of the 
 town. There is a good deal of shipping here, and 
 large vessels can come up as far as Rouen. Sunday 
 is a great day here ; everyone is out on the streets 
 or in the cafes. It is needless to say that they are 
 not strict Sabbatarians here ; in fact, it is the usual 
 thing to go to the theatre or play cards in the 
 evening. The family I am with, however, are a 
 little more strict. They always go once to church, 
 and very seldom go to the theatre on Sunday ; they 
 play cards on Sunday, but not with us. The roads 
 about Rouen are rather pretty, with trees on each 
 side like an avenue, and absolutely straight. The 
 family here certainly try their best to make you 
 learn French. 
 
 54
 
 A Record 
 
 The old lady sometimes is exceedingly funny, 
 and has some very amusing stories about the Prus- 
 sians. The Prussians, as you no doubt know, 
 captured Rouen in the late war, and stayed there for 
 about five months, during which time the inhabi- 
 tants had to supply them with food. According to 
 the old lady's account, the first night the Prussians 
 arrived they turned her out of bed, and made her run 
 about the house all night to bring them things to 
 eat. Each Prussian arrived with about four draw- 
 ing-room clocks, and various other articles which he 
 had stolen. The Prussians, on the whole, seem to 
 have had a very good time of it at Rouen ; they 
 lived like kings, broke into the cellars, smashed the 
 furniture, played on the pianos, danced and sang all 
 night. This is Madame's version, but I think it 
 might be better not to believe quite the whole of it. 
 
 I had a most amusing letter from Alec the other 
 day, written in a style which equalled Macaulay. 
 He dwelt at length on the happy days of our child- 
 hood, and on the manly sports at which we used to 
 play together, etc. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 P.S. Thanks for present. 
 
 Writing a little later (February 25th) to 
 his mother, he is principally concerned with 
 his work for the Sandhurst examination. 
 
 My Dear Mother, 
 
 I got your letter all right ; the book arrived 
 on Friday. I think you are right about living with 
 Jack, as I will have his help in the evenings. The 
 examination begins on the 2ist of June, and that 
 
 55
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 leaves eight weeks four days from the 23rd of April. 
 I think the eight weeks will be sufficient to 
 strengthen my Latin and Mathematics. I shall be 
 very glad to come up for a few days to Edinburgh. 
 I shall be delighted to see Fred Paton and show him 
 over the place. 
 
 I don't know what my expenses will be ; send me 
 money, and I will be careful of it. The special 
 period of History is not the whole of that book, but 
 there is an ordinary paper set as well, which com- 
 prises all English History. I have read very care- 
 fully from Henry VII. to James II., which is a 
 period as large as the one you sent me about 700 
 pages. The Seine has overflown, and there is a 
 river running down the middle of the streets. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 In June 1889 Tait went up for his exami- 
 nation, and on August 6th he received notice 
 that he had passed, being placed fifth among 
 the University candidates. 
 
 During July and August Tait was playing 
 every day at St. Andrews, and his golf had 
 improved some three or four shots as com- 
 pared with the previous summer's work. Mr. 
 Everard, who had previously given him odds, 
 now finds it hard work to cope with Freddie 
 on even terms, and indeed out of about sixty 
 matches which he played, the only player 
 able to record a victory was Mr. D. I. Lamb, 
 who, on two occasions, was able to lower the 
 colours of the all-conquering young golfer. 
 
 56
 
 A Record 
 
 Mr. Lamb was just at that time at his very 
 best, and quite one of the most brilliant of 
 amateur players. 
 
 In this year, 1889, the average for the four 
 scratch medals of the Royal and Ancient Club 
 was just under 90, and as Tait was doing 
 rounds of from 81 to 90 (often 85 and 83), 
 he was already quite in the first rank. 
 
 Tait went to Sandhurst in September 1889, 
 and remained there until he passed out with 
 special honours in riding and military adminis- 
 tration in July 1890. Writing to Mrs. Tait 
 on his arrival, he describes his first impressions 
 of the place. 
 
 I suppose you know that Lindsay and I dined 
 
 with Mr. at the Palace Hotel. The train to 
 
 Edinburgh was an hour late, and the engine which 
 was intended to take the train from Granton to 
 Edinburgh was unable to get up the slope near 
 Abbeyhill ; however, with the help of another we 
 succeeded in reaching Edinburgh. As Lindsay and 
 I had each a considerable amount of luggage, espe- 
 cially Lindsay, we lost another quarter of an hour 
 
 in getting it. We met Mr. at the Caledonian 
 
 and went off to dinner, and, as you may well know, 
 we dined pretty well. Curiously enough, he did 
 not consent to travel in the same compartment, so 
 we had to part company for the journey, except 
 when we saw him getting out at every station we 
 stopped at to get a drink. We got into a carriage 
 with a very religious individual, who sang hymns, 
 etc., all the way to Preston. This was exceedingly 
 
 57
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 entertaining at first, but the service was too long, so 
 on several occasions we fell asleep, and generally on 
 awakening he was still at it. 
 
 I went to breakfast at the Ormans, and 
 spent the rest of the time till 2 o'clock in 
 visiting Lax. On arriving at Camberley we found 
 about 500 cabs and other vehicles drawn up to 
 receive us. Orman and the other fellows in our 
 carriage being old birds knew how to do it, so 
 about a dozen of us hired the bus and had a cheap 
 and comfortable drive. The first thing I had to do 
 was to report myself to the adjutant and then to the 
 captain of our company, whose name is Gould- 
 Adams. 
 
 The same evening I made the acquaintance of a 
 lot of the seniors, all friends of Orman. I also met 
 a good many fellows who had been at Wolffram's 
 with me. The next day the two fellows in my room 
 and myself went down the village to see about fur- 
 nishing our room. Everything here is done by 
 hiring, so we hired a carpet for 55. id., curtains for 
 45. id., and two splendid long easy chairs, and some 
 other necessaries such as tea, sugar, and methylated 
 spirits. The reason why everything is hired is this : 
 no one ever has the same room two terms running, 
 for you are generally put in a three-room at first, and 
 then the second term you get a single room. 
 
 The work here is fairly stiff. . . . The fellows 
 here are a very decent set, and the seniors treat us 
 (the juniors) very respectably. 
 
 At Christmas, 1889, he was promoted to 
 the rank of corporal, and in the same term 
 received his colours for football. He played 
 
 58
 
 A Record 
 
 in the XV. during the season 1889-90, and 
 was one of the best forwards in the team. 
 
 Before Tait's time golf had been un- 
 known at Sandhurst, so he laid out a short 
 course for his fellow cadets, and instructed 
 them in the ways and mysteries of the 
 sport. 
 
 In a letter to his brother in Madras, 
 written in Freddie's most racy style, he 
 says : 
 
 I have not had the pleasure of writing to you for 
 some time, but as you know that the gentleman 
 cadet is a hard-worked individual, with little or no 
 spare time, I daresay you will overlook my want of 
 zeal in not finding time to write. 
 
 I have just arrived from Sandhurst, and hope to 
 be gazetted in two or three months' time. I have 
 applied for foreign service, so possibly I may come 
 across you one of these days. 
 
 The Duke of Cambridge inspected us on Tuesday 
 last, and I need hardly add that he was absolutely 
 charmed with our parade, bearing, and general 
 knowledge of military matters. Referring to our 
 drill, he said that it was unequalled by the best 
 troops in the British Army, and was the best that 
 he had ever seen at Sandhurst. 
 
 This, he said, reflected great honour, not only 
 on the adjutant, but also on the under officers and 
 "corporals"!!! I won't know how I have passed 
 out for two or three weeks yet, but I did entirely 
 to my own satisfaction in every paper except one. 
 I have no doubt that you imagine that my ability 
 
 59
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 to acquire knowledge of all military matters is 
 about equal to my ability in learning Latin ; but 
 there you are mistaken, for even now I could 
 command an " Army Corps." 
 
 About a month ago, Willie, Uncle John, and 
 I went for a two days' excursion on the Thames. 
 Willie was not what you would call a finished oar, 
 but towards the end of the second day he did not 
 upset the boat so often ; his steering was good on 
 the whole, except on two or three occasions, when 
 he tried to run us over a weir. Uncle John was 
 more often in the stern than in any other part of 
 the boat, and from that position would occasionally 
 remark, " Now then, Willie, here comes a critical 
 party, row in your best style." This exhortation 
 usually ended in Willie catching a crab and doing 
 his best to capsize the boat. However, we managed 
 to come to the end of our journey without any 
 other mishap than that Willie smashed his row- 
 lock. 
 
 No more time. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 The letter reflects young Tait at this time 
 better than any descriptive writing could do, 
 for it indicates his plans and exemplifies his 
 humour. 
 
 Tait joined the Royal and Ancient Club 
 in the spring of 1890, and, after leaving 
 Sandhurst in July, spent nearly three months 
 at St. Andrews, competing for the Calcutta 
 Cup, the Jubilee Vase, and the Autumn 
 Medal. 
 
 60
 
 A Record 
 
 The Calcutta Cup Competition started 
 on Tuesday, August 5th, and on the pre- 
 vious Saturday, in a match with Mr. Macfie, 
 Tait not only won by 4 holes, but beat all 
 previous amateur records by holing the course 
 in the low score of 77. Records change 
 with great rapidity nowadays, but what was 
 best at the time must always be good, if we 
 consider it in its proper historical position. 
 The early feats of navigation are not really 
 made small because a floating hotel can now 
 cross the Atlantic in five days. The heroes 
 who won the Olympic Crown are not to be 
 counted less famous than the athletes of 
 modern England or America, though their 
 records would look poor if a comparison 
 could be made. 
 
 Tait himself cut his 77 down to 72 in 
 the course of a few years, but he was doubt- 
 less as much pleased at the time with the one 
 performance as with the other. Be this as 
 it may, this 77 was very noteworthy, and 
 most prophetic to use the word in its 
 baser sense of what young Tait was capable. 
 In the Calcutta Cup Tournament he was 
 also at his best, defeating Mr. J. H. 
 Blackwell, who conceded him a start of 
 i hole, by 5 up and 4 to play, and Mr. 
 Laidlay, who gave him 2 holes, by 4 up 
 and 3 to play. These were great perform- 
 ances, and though Tait was beaten in the 
 
 61
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 semi-final by Mr. Nimmo, who received 
 4 holes start, his first competition must be 
 considered a great success. Soon after this, 
 in a match of two rounds, the brothers 
 Tait defeated the brothers Blackwell, the 
 strongest combination that could be brought 
 against them, by I hole. A fews days later, 
 Andrew Kirkcaldy played the best ball of 
 the Taits, and won at the last hole ; Mr. 
 Alec Tait was, it must be remembered, 
 little more than a boy at this time. Play- 
 ing for the Jubilee Vase, Tait reached the 
 final, only to be beaten by Mr. Bethune, 
 who was in receipt of 7 strokes. In the 
 Medal round, he did not, however, show to 
 such advantage, going out well enough in 43, 
 but requiring 52 for the homeward journey; 
 the last 8 holes cost 47, though but a few 
 days earlier he had a score of 29 for them ; 
 the last-named score must however have 
 been on the reverse course. 
 
 A Tournament, open to all amateurs, 
 was held at North Berwick, in the begin- 
 ning of October, and Tait entered along 
 with many of the best players in Scotland ; 
 England also being represented by Messrs. 
 Hilton and Molesworth. Tait reached the 
 semi-final, when he was beaten by Mr. 
 David Anderson at the last hole. The 
 players were all even, but Tait, with a 
 long shot, got behind the club maker's 
 
 62
 
 A Record 
 
 shop, and required two shots to clear, 
 losing the hole and the match. Mr. Hilton 
 ultimately won the tournament. This fact 
 is interesting, as it was probably the first 
 time that Tait and Hilton saw each other 
 play ; they were about the same age Hilton 
 a month or two older and were destined 
 to have a series of great encounters, out 
 of which Tait emerged with extraordinary 
 success.
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE LEINSTER REGIMENT. 
 October 1890 June 1894. 
 
 the 28th October, 1890, the young 
 cadet was gazetted to the 2nd battalion 
 of the Leinster Regiment, the logth Foot. 
 
 During the months of October and No- 
 vember he remained in Edinburgh, getting his 
 kit in order, and making what preparations 
 were necessary for joining his regiment. He 
 had applied for foreign service, and hoped to 
 join a regiment on duty in India. This, 
 however, was not to be, as the 2nd battalion 
 of the Leinsters was quartered at Shorn- 
 cliffe camp, near Folkestone, where Tait 
 joined them on November 2Qth. 
 
 Tait had greatly improved as a Rugby 
 football player during his Sandhurst days, and 
 while waiting in Edinburgh he eagerly seized 
 the opportunity of playing with the Edinburgh 
 Wanderers, one of the best teams in Scot- 
 land. He was one of the " hard working 
 type " of Scottish forwards, who have been 
 
 64
 
 A Record 
 
 the making of the Rugby game in the North, 
 and knowing the great traditions of the game 
 he was keen to act well by them. As show- 
 ing what manner of player he was it may 
 be of interest to quote the opinion of no 
 less an authority than Mr. Ian Mclntyre, 
 President of the Scottish Rugby Union, and 
 at that time captain of the Wanderers Club. 
 Writing of his play in 1890 he says : 
 
 It is my deliberate opinion that at that time he 
 was one of the very best forwards playing in 
 Edinburgh, if not in Scotland. I cannot to this 
 day understand how it was that he was passed over 
 in the selection for the " Inter-City." One match 
 in particular I remember against the Watsonians 
 at Myreside, where he fairly excelled himself, and 
 was the best forward on the field. 
 
 Seldom after this period had he any chance 
 of developing this side of his athletics, but 
 for all that his interest in football never 
 slackened. Scotland never played an Inter- 
 national Match that Tait did not follow 
 keenly, and when he subsequently joined the 
 Black Watch he never missed an opportu- 
 nity of encouraging the regimental team both 
 in their practice games and in their cup ties. 
 
 Tait's stay at Shorncliffe was but a short 
 one, as his regiment left in the middle of 
 February for Aldershot. 
 
 I liked Shorncliffe very much (he writes to his 
 brother) ; there was always plenty to do. I got 
 
 65 E
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 some very good duck shooting on some govern- 
 ment ground within a few miles of camp. Sandwich 
 was quite close, and I could always get good 
 men to play with. The work at Shorncliffe was 
 not nearly so hard as at Aldershot. I believe 
 Aldershot is about the only place in the kingdom 
 where they go in for soldiering properly. We 
 often have night marches, fire alarms in the 
 middle of the night, brigade parades, divisional 
 days, and any amount of battalion parades. I 
 like the work very much, but the only objection 
 I have to Aldershot is that there is absolutely 
 nothing to do after your work is done. The links 
 are awfully bad, so the only amusement I get is 
 to go long walks, and consequently I am at present 
 feeling very fit. I hope to be able to get leave 
 for the Spring Meeting and Championship at 
 St. Andrews in May. I suppose you have any 
 amount of golf and shooting in India. We go out in 
 the end of '92. I believe the Laird gave a lecture 
 in London the other day on the Lanark and Ayr- 
 shire Railway. I do not know whether it was 
 a success or not. I know neither The Times nor 
 The Referee had any account of it. I expected 
 " Mustard and Cress " might make some slight 
 allusion to it. 
 
 Alec is, I hear, going up for his examination. 
 He wants to pass, as, curiously enough, he does 
 
 not want to have another year with Prof. . 
 
 How is old Tim ? Give him my kind 
 
 regards, and ask him if he remembers the 
 thrashings he used to give me at St. Andrews. 
 The drill season is going to begin here soon, so 
 we will get to know the Long Valley very well. 
 
 66
 
 A Record 
 
 I think when we go out to India we are going to 
 Agra. 
 
 Tait did not, however, manage to get to 
 St. Andrews for the Amateur Championship 
 of 1891, which Mr. Laidlay won, beating Mr. 
 Hilton in the final after a tie. But he was 
 able to play for the St. George's Cup at 
 Sandwich, and finished third to Mr. John 
 Ball, jun., whose winning score was 174. 
 Tait, who played with Mr. Hilton, scored 183, 
 and his partner 187; ten strokes were required 
 for the seventh hole in the morning round, 
 owing to a low tee shot, which caught the top 
 of the bunker, otherwise Tait's round of 91 
 would have been excellent as the scores went. 
 
 As a boy he had been very keen on shoot- 
 ing, and spent many a day up the Fifeshire 
 Eden after duck, plover, or snipe. At Alder- 
 shot he turned his attention to rifle shooting, 
 and soon became quite on the " scratch mark." 
 In August he writes : 
 
 We have a big competition coming off in a week 
 or so among the officers of the regiment for a silver 
 cup ; seven rounds at 200, 500, and 600 yards. I 
 beat them all the last time, and hope to repeat the 
 performance again. 
 
 In the regimental cricket eleven his batting 
 average stood second, viz., 20-5 per innings. 
 Tait, in truth, entered into all sports with 
 equal enthusiasm, if not always with equal 
 success. 
 
 67 E 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 In September Tait was at St. Andrews for 
 the Autumn Meeting, but with a score of 91 
 he was clearly not at his best ; Mr. Alexander 
 Stuart and Mr. R. B. Sharp were the winners. 
 
 The Open Championship was played for 
 in October, and won by Hugh Kirkcaldy in a 
 gale of wind, in the grand score of 166 Tait 
 was 182, and many good players far more. 
 Kirkcaldy's play on this occasion was very 
 fine, and indeed compares favourably with the 
 low scores of later years. 
 
 After thirteen months of regimental work 
 at Shorncliffe and Aldershot, Tait got a short 
 leave, which he spent at Edinburgh. 
 
 He returned to Aldershot, and entered 
 again with zest into his service life. In April, 
 to his great joy, he obtained leave to play for 
 the first time in the Amateur Championship 
 at Sandwich. He played in the event in the 
 following month, but was at the time quite 
 out of practice, having been unable to get any 
 satisfactory play at Aldershot. He was de- 
 feated in the second round by Mr. F. A. 
 Fairlie. 
 
 As a result of his match with Mr. Fairlie, 
 a return took place in June at Wimbledon, 
 which was at that time Mr. Fairlie's home 
 green. Tait won the thirty-six hole match 
 by two, his first round being a 76, the half 
 round being accomplished in 34 a record at 
 that time. 
 
 68
 
 A Record 
 
 Tait was meanwhile full of enthusiasm 
 about his regiment and their doings. With 
 special pride he wrote to his father to tell 
 him of the honours conferred on his men : 
 
 I have had the great honour conferred on me of 
 carrying the Queen's Colours on Monday, when Her 
 Gracious Majesty comes down to lay a foundation 
 stone and review the Aldershot Division. We are 
 very much pleased just now, as our Regiment has 
 not only been called upon to furnish the " Guard of 
 Honour " (a great feather in our caps, as there are 
 10 Battalions of Infantry here), but also to supply 
 the music during the ceremony of laying the foun- 
 dation stone. I need scarcely say that a better 
 selection could not have been made, as we have 
 produced a hundred splendid men who average about 
 5 feet 10 inches, and led by three officers average 
 5 feet ii inches not so bad for the junior Regiment 
 in the Service ! ! 
 
 And again, writing a little later to Mrs. 
 Tait, he says : 
 
 Yesterday was a great day for the Prince of 
 Wales' Leinster Regiment. We won the Tug of 
 War for teams of 10 men (total weight not to exceed 
 1 20 stone) open to the Army. We also won the 
 Officers' Tug of War open to the Army. We pulled 
 over a team averaging nearly a stone a man heavier 
 in the final. We got a splendid cup, and the men 
 got 10. I may as well mention that the Tugs of 
 War, both officers' and men's, are considered the 
 best events to win. Our band marched all round 
 the camp (with a huge man carrying the cup) playing 
 
 69
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 the Regimental March. Our manoeuvres begin in a 
 short time now. The Army Rifle Meeting comes off 
 next week. I have the honour of being a member 
 of the Regimental Team. I expect Willie here one 
 day this week. 
 
 His brother duly came and spent a day 
 at Aldershot, much to Tait's joy. In the 
 evening he was induced to play whist with 
 the strictest and most serious players of the 
 regiment, and " led off," as Freddie put it, 
 by dealing out five hands. The situation 
 must have been a fine one, and it was just 
 such an one as to appeal to Freddie's sense 
 of humour. He told the story often, and 
 it lost nothing in the telling. 
 
 Tait was still anxious for foreign service, 
 and with regret he writes in July, 1892 : 
 
 I don't believe we are going out to India for 
 two years, so I am seriously thinking of applying for 
 a transfer to the other battalion, which will soon be 
 on its way to Burmah, where there would be a 
 chance of a little revolver practice, and a chance of 
 getting a " medal." I have no doubt, however, that 
 Gladstone will find something for us to do before 
 long. 
 
 The latter part of the year 1892 Tait was 
 quartered at Hythe, in Kent, where he went 
 through a course of musketry instruction. 
 This he thoroughly enjoyed, and was, more- 
 over, very successful in his work, coming out 
 third in rifle shooting, and equal first with the 
 
 70
 
 A Record 
 
 revolver. While there he found time on 
 Saturdays to break the records at Deal, 
 Folkestone, and Ascot, and was only pre- 
 vented from scoring a win in a handicap 
 competition by the tender attentions of an 
 enthusiast, whom he describes with almost 
 Horatian satire. 
 
 He has walked round with me about six times, 
 and has had a duplicate of every one of my clubs 
 made, and as he is particularly pleased with my 
 driver, he is going to order half-a-dozen. He came 
 round with me at Deal when I was playing for a 
 competition the other day, and after every decent 
 shot I made he said, " That is a very good shot, but 
 I was twenty yards past that yesterday." I may as 
 well tell you he plays about the same game as 
 
 Mr. . I happened to do the first hole in three, 
 
 which is equivalent to doing the third hole at 
 St. Andrews in the same number, when he remarked, 
 " That is not bad, but you ought always to do it ; I 
 do it five times out of six." This style of thing went 
 on all the way round. 
 
 It is a pretty description of a not yet 
 obsolete class of bore, and Freddie knew 
 them well when he met them. 
 
 At the end of 1892 Tait paid a short 
 visit to Edinburgh, and thence he went to 
 St. Andrews and to Newcastle, in North 
 Ireland. At Newcastle he broke the record 
 with a score of 76, and at St. Andrews, on 
 nth January, 1893, he made his famous
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 record drive of 341 yards, with a carry ot 
 about 250 yards. Tait was driving to the 
 thirteenth hole at St. Andrews ; there was 
 no wind, but the ground was frozen. Mr. 
 Guy Grindlay was his opponent. 
 
 So much has been said and written about 
 this shot that I will not trouble the reader with 
 any of my personal views on the subject. It 
 will be of more interest to hear Tait's own 
 account of the performance, and to note in 
 what light he regarded it. Writing at the 
 time he said 
 
 I enclose you a cutting from the Daily News of 
 Monday, January i6th, by Andrew Lang, on a drive 
 made by me on my 23rd birthday. No doubt you 
 will say, as the Governor said : "Stuff ! Humbug ! " 
 but the fact still remains. The Governor will be 
 very much annoyed about the article, as he wrote not 
 very long ago an article to Golf proving conclu- 
 sively that it was impossible to carry more than 
 190 yards on a calm day, unless you exerted about 
 three times more energy. 
 
 It should be pointed out that at the time 
 Professor Tait wrote the article which Freddie 
 alludes to, he had not made his important 
 discovery as to the effect of under-spin on 
 the flight of a golf ball. In his celebrated 
 article published in Nature he says 
 
 I shall consider the flight of a golf ball in a dead 
 calm only, and when it has been driven fair and true 
 without any spin. 
 
 72
 
 A Record 
 
 Young Tait regarded the record drive and 
 the talk about it as a nuisance, for writing 
 from Aldershot in February he says 
 
 I wish I had never made that drive at St. Andrews ; 
 everyone I meet here at once begins asking about it. 
 I had a letter from a man Clarke at Ascot asking me 
 to come and play golf with him. He said at the end 
 of his letter " I drove a ball last Tuesday 480 yards 
 with a slight breeze behind, ground on the hard 
 side, and slightly down wind. This was measured 
 accurately by my brother (price 55.)." This is the 
 sort of chaff I have been getting lately. 
 
 On returning to Aldershot, Tait found that 
 most of the best men in his company had 
 been drafted out to India. 
 
 We are now left with a lot of boys, and we are a 
 long way under strength, and two thirds of the 
 regiment are recruits. 
 
 This is the first hint that Tait let fall 
 that he was not satisfied with his life at Aider- 
 shot and desired change. This sense of dis- 
 satisfaction and desire for change grew upon 
 him, until at last he could think of nothing 
 but his chances of obtaining an exchange into 
 one of the Highland regiments. 
 
 This feeling, or rather change of feeling, 
 was the result of several different ideas work- 
 ing together in his mind towards the same 
 end. His captain, for whom he had a great 
 regard, was about to leave the regiment, and, 
 
 73
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 as we have seen, he himself had lost the best 
 men in his company. Over and above all this 
 there was a strong and natural desire to be 
 connected with one of the Scottish regiments. 
 Tait was very anxious to see some active 
 service, and hoped by joining a Highland 
 regiment to do so. Writing to his father 
 he urges this point. 
 
 I know very well that the only way to get on 
 now is to see some fighting, and you will no doubt 
 have noticed that whenever there is any fighting to 
 be done, and there is a Highland regiment anywhere 
 near, it is invariably sent. 
 
 There were, however, many difficulties in 
 the way of an exchange, and it was not until 
 June, 1894, that Tait joined the second 
 battalion of the Black Watch. 
 
 In July, 1893, indeed, there seemed a good 
 chance of Tait working out his plan, but the 
 officer with whom he hoped to exchange had 
 to wait until he received his promotion, and 
 this was long delayed. The exchange would 
 also involve loss of "leave" for the year, as 
 Tait would have to join his new regiment 
 immediately on leaving the Leinsters. This 
 prospect did not trouble him, for he cheerily 
 remarked : "In any case leave is of small 
 consequence when you have the honour of 
 belonging to a regiment like the 73rd." 
 
 Tait played for the Spring Medal at St. 
 Andrews in 1893, and was placed fourth. He 
 
 74
 
 A Record 
 
 won the bronze medal at Prestwick in the 
 Amateur Championship, being beaten by Mr. 
 Laidlay after a tie, and in September he won 
 the second medal at St. Andrews with the 
 fine score of 80 ; but of these events I will 
 write more fully in their proper place. The 
 Division played a match at Crookham under 
 trying circumstances rain and snow and 
 the loss of seventeen holes by their tail man 
 making the day rather a failure. 
 
 A day at Ascot was more successful, Tait 
 winning several prizes. This style of golf 
 was not, however, congenial to him, and he 
 writes of his performances almost with shame. 
 
 I did not want to play at all, as I consider that 
 sort of thing " pot-hunting." The members, how- 
 ever, insisted on my playing, and I won by about 
 twelve strokes. 
 
 Early in February, 1894, Tait spent a few 
 days at St. Andrews, and signalised his visit 
 by breaking the record of the green with a 
 score of 72. 
 
 In the Amateur Championship, which was 
 held at Hoylake in April, he again reached 
 the semi-final, being defeated by Mr. Mure 
 Fergusson by five up and four to play. 
 Tait, however, won the first medal at St. 
 Andrews in May with a score of 83, and at 
 Sandwich he greatly distinguished himself in 
 the Open Championship, and also in a tourna- 
 
 75
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 ment in which amateurs and professionals 
 competed. In this last-named event he was 
 only defeated by the subsequent winner after 
 a tie, in a match in which the luck was 
 decidedly against him. Two days later, 
 much to his joy, Tait received a telegram 
 to say that he had been gazetted to the 
 Black Watch, which regiment he immediately 
 joined at Barry Camp, in Forfarshire. 
 
 As a parting gift to his old regiment, 
 Tait presented them with several volumes 
 of the Badminton Library. In a letter of 
 thanks the colonel and officers say 
 
 The present will be most useful to us, and we 
 shall always value it as having been given by 
 you. We all unite in good wishes for your future. 
 
 Though Tait never loved the Leinster 
 Regiment with the same patriotic affection 
 which he felt in later days for the Black 
 Watch, enough has perhaps been said in 
 this chapter to show that he took a real 
 pride in their successes, and while with them 
 exhibited that true esprit de corps which was 
 inseparable from his nature. 
 
 Throughout his short military career Tait 
 was always adored by the men he commanded. 
 In a letter written to Professor Tait, after his 
 son's death at Koodoosberg, Sergeant Malone 
 tells what the men of the Leinster Regiment 
 thought of their officer 
 
 76
 
 A Record 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 With feelings of deepest regret I read of the 
 death of your son Lieut. Tait, who was my Com- 
 pany Officer in the Leinster Regiment, during his 
 stay in the Regiment. He was one of the best 
 officers we ever had, and was loved by all the men 
 in the Company, including myself; I was indeed 
 most deeply attached to him. Please accept my 
 deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 THOMAS MALONE (Sergeant). 
 
 At the end of this first chapter of soldier 
 life, we hear again that motif of love which 
 dominates Tait's whole life-story. 
 
 77
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WITH THE BLACK WATCH. 
 
 THE first six weeks of Tait's life with his 
 new regiment, the 73rd, or second bat- 
 talion of the Black Watch, were spent at 
 Barry Camp, in Forfarshire, where his men 
 were under a course of instruction. The 
 change that Tait had made was one he had 
 been hoping for, and looking forward to, for 
 some time, and the repeated delays which 
 had occurred in connection with his transfer 
 only tended to strengthen the delight he felt, 
 when at last he found himself connected with 
 the grand old Scottish regiment. 
 
 From Aldershot he brought with him a 
 friend, whom it will be necessary here to intro- 
 duce to any reader who may be unfortunate 
 enough not to have already made the acquain- 
 tance of " Nails." Nails was so closely con- 
 nected with Freddie in everything he did 
 during the last half dozen years of his life, 
 that not to mention him would be a grave 
 injustice to the dog, and an omission which 
 
 78
 
 {Photo by Marshall 7/i 
 
 LIEUT. F. Q. TA1T, 1896.
 
 A Record 
 
 his late master would never have pardoned. 
 Nails, then, is a terrier in every inch and 
 every pound of his 35-lb. body. In no class 
 would he receive even a highly commended 
 card at a dog show ; but he is a good dog 
 all the same. One of his parents or grand- 
 parents must have been a Bedlington, for 
 Bedlington is the dominant note in his per- 
 sonal appearance. There are evidences also 
 that an Irishman must at some time or 
 other have been connected with the family, 
 and here our diagnosis of his origin must 
 stop. 
 
 If I have cast some shadow of a doubt on 
 the purity of Nails's pedigree, it is not with 
 the object of belittling his character as a dog 
 and a friend. His ancestors may indeed have 
 been the flower of ancient dog families, who, 
 disregarding the rules of the Kennel Club, 
 determined to sink all old-fashioned clan pre- 
 judices and intermarry. This perhaps is the 
 kindlier way of looking upon the actions of 
 the good dog's forefathers, so we will adopt it. 
 Nails himself was good and true true to his 
 master, and true to his name, a hard customer, 
 a true friend to man, and a deadly enemy to 
 all the rest of the animal world, not excepting 
 his own branch of the canine race. Tait loved 
 his dog and loved him to the end. His letters 
 from South Africa always contained some 
 reference to " my son Nails," as he was wont 
 
 79
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 to call him, regarding himself as in some way 
 standing in loco parentis. When killed at 
 Koodoosberg, a scrap of paper was found in 
 Freddie's pocket ; it was the little letter from 
 Nails to his " father " which will be found 
 reproduced in its proper chronological con- 
 nection. 
 
 Tait enjoyed his stay at Barry immensely, 
 a 3 may be gathered from the following letter : 
 Barry Camp, 
 
 Near Carnoustie, 
 Forfarshire, 
 
 2Oth July, 1894. 
 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We are having a most excellent time here. 
 We work all the morning from about six to one, and 
 golf all the afternoon. It is very healthy work. 
 
 Nails is in great form, and has been made an 
 honorary member of our mess, which means that he 
 is allowed to come into it whenever he likes. I may 
 mention that this is a favour granted to very few 
 dogs. He has made great friends with everyone. 
 The other day I was playing a match with Living- 
 stone and MacFarlan, and I took him over to 
 Livingstone's Militia Regiment on my way down to 
 the links. We played two rounds, and at the end 
 of the last round he disappeared somewhere. That 
 night I dined with Livingstone's Regiment, and up 
 to that time I had seen nothing of Nails. Living- 
 stone was a little late for dinner, but when he came 
 in he told me that Nails had come round to his tent 
 when he was dressing, and had made himself quite 
 at home ; he also told me that he had brought Nails 
 
 80
 
 A Record 
 
 round to the ante-room. When we came out of 
 dinner we found Nails lying down on the best sofa, 
 wagging his tail, and quite at home. I wanted to 
 turn him out, but all the Militia officers insisted on 
 his staying. I think he knows everyone in camp 
 now. I am thinking of coming to St. Andrews for the 
 Calcutta Cup if I can get away, and I should like to 
 bring a very nice fellow called Murray for the week 
 if you can find room. The weather here is excel- 
 lent ; I am about as fit as I have ever been. I 
 played a great foursome the other day Macfarlan 
 and I against the two Simpsons. I did not play 
 very well, but the Simpsons are very hard to beat on 
 their own dunghill ; they beat us by three. We are 
 going to take them on again next week. You might 
 find out when the entries for the Calcutta Cup close, 
 and you might also ask the governor to send some 
 money to Cox and Co., as the regimental people 
 have sneaked about thres months of my pay for 
 regimental subscriptions. You might also tell him 
 that his article in Golf of the other day is being read 
 with great interest by all the people here and at 
 Carnoustie. I have not been able to make any 
 experiments, as I cannot find anyone with a stop- 
 watch ; but I will have some more trials at 
 St. Andrews, when the Governor will be there to 
 superintend. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 The " trials " referred to were in connection 
 with the experiments that Professor Tait was 
 making at that time with a view to ascer- 
 taining the initial and subsequent velocity of 
 
 81 F
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 a golf ball. The matches with the Simpsons, 
 Bob and Archie, resulted in grand tussles, 
 honours being about easy at the end of the 
 series. Captain Macfarlan, Tait's partner, 
 will be well remembered at Carnoustie and 
 elsewhere as a beautiful player, who only 
 required more practice in order to be quite 
 in the very first rank. He was, during Tait's 
 first years with the Black Watch, perhaps 
 his greatest friend in the regiment, and his 
 death at Magersfontein robbed them of one 
 of the most kindly of men, a true sportsman 
 and a good soldier. 
 
 In a match against Lieutenant Macfar- 
 lan Tait beat all previous records at Car- 
 noustie with the wonderful score of 72. Those 
 who know the course will best appreciate the 
 value of the performance. The following 
 account of the round taken from the Dundee 
 Advertiser gives the particulars of the score : 
 
 Those who have witnessed Lieutenant Tait's 
 brilliant play in the recent foursomes, in which, 
 partnered by Lieutenant Macfarlan, he held so 
 close Bob and Archie Simpson, will not be surprised 
 to learn that yesterday he made two new records 
 for the Carnoustie course. 
 
 All lovers of golf in the district were anxious 
 that Mr. Tait should play a round single-handed, 
 and this he did yesterday, his opponent on the 
 occasion being Lieutenant Macfarlan. Both were 
 in grand form, and although Macfarlan did the 
 round in the fine score of 78, he was beaten by 
 
 82
 
 A Record 
 
 Tait by five holes the total of the latter being 72. 
 Hitherto Archie Simpson has held the record with 
 73. But Tait made another record, for his score 
 for the first nine holes was 33, which is two strokes 
 below the previous best. From his detailed score 
 it will be seen that on the outward journey no 
 hole cost him more than 4, and he had three of 
 them in 3. Coming homeward he still played 
 magnificently, but 5's at the sixteenth and seven- 
 teenth holes spoiled an otherwise faultless round. 
 
 To such a strong golfer as Tait, both are very 
 easy 4's, and, had he managed them at that figure, 
 his total would have been 70. The details of the 
 scores of both players are as follows : Lieutenant 
 Tait : Out, 43444 343 4=335 in, 4 5 4 3 5 4 
 5 5 4=39=72. Lieutenant Macfarlan : Out, 435 
 34454 4=36 : in, 55555445 4=42=78. 
 
 After a six weeks' stay at Barry, Tait 
 went with his regiment to Edinburgh Castle, 
 where he remained for two years. His success 
 as a marksman while in camp is recorded 
 in the following short note written just before 
 he left : 
 
 Barry Camp, 
 
 Near Carnoustie, 
 Forfarshire, 
 
 26 July, 1894. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I think we are coming back to Edinburgh 
 on Saturday next. We have been having awfully 
 bad weather lately. My bed was just like a puddle 
 last night. I met Ronald Burn yesterday here, and 
 I told him to enter my name for the Calcutta Cup. 
 
 83 F 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 I hope to be able to get away, only I am not certain 
 yet. If I can get away I will bring Murray with 
 me. We played the Simpsons again the other day, 
 and beat them. We hope to have a return to- 
 morrow. I shot very well, I was the best shot of 
 my company. The penny bull's eyes made the men 
 shoot up like blazes. My captain will have to pay 
 four or five pounds for " bull's eyes." I am rather 
 tired of playing golf at Carnoustie, as every round 
 I play I have a crowd of a hundred or more. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Tait played for, and won, the Calcutta 
 Cup, even though penalised to the extent of 
 two holes. In the semi-final he was drawn 
 against his brother Alec, and in the final he 
 beat Mr. W. Gordon, to whom he conceded 
 seven holes start. Mr. Gordon had halved 
 with Tait in a previous round, but in the end, 
 Freddie playing grand golf won cleverly by 
 two up and one to play. 
 
 Nails did not have such a successful visit 
 to St. Andrews, for after a most protracted 
 struggle with the dog of a neighbour, which 
 match indeed he won, he was ignominiously 
 " kicked out " of the city t It was no doubt 
 thought that the presence of so pugnacious 
 an inmate might bring discredit to the house 
 of the Professor ; at any rate Nails had to go. 
 Freddie always took the greatest interest in 
 Nails' prowess, and chuckled when he heard 
 of any of his special pugilistic feats. 
 
 84
 
 "NAILS." 
 
 " The poor dog, in life the firmest frienti, 
 The first to welcome, foremost to defend, j 
 Whose honest heart is still his master's own, 
 Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone.'
 
 A Record 
 
 This year, 1894, was one of great golfing 
 success for Tait. Not only did he make his 
 famous record score of 72 at St. Andrews, 
 of which an account will be found in the 
 Appendix, but he also won the first Medal at 
 St. Andrews in May, the Bronze Medal in the 
 Amateur Championship, took the first place 
 among the amateurs in the Open Champion- 
 ship, won the Calcutta Cup, and finished up 
 by winning the Autumn Medal with a record 
 score of 78, and the Glennie Medal with a 
 record score of 161. This is an extraordinary 
 series of successes, and I have always thought 
 that this was perhaps Tait's very best year, 
 not even excepting 1896, when his play at 
 Sandwich and elsewhere created such a sensa- 
 tion. 
 
 In a letter written to his brother Jack 
 from Edinburgh shortly after his arrival at the 
 castle, Tait speaks with great pride of his new 
 regiment 
 
 The Castle, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 27 August, 1894. 
 My dear Jack, 
 
 Thanks for your letter. I am awfully 
 pleased with my new regiment in every way. A 
 splendid lot of officers, N.C.O.'s and men, and in 
 my humble opinion out and away the finest regiment 
 in the service. The only drawback is that it is a 
 trifle more expensive, but as the Laird said the other 
 day, " Never mind, Freddie, you will only owe a 
 
 85
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 little more next time." This was after I had won 
 the Calcutta Cup from the " owe 2 holes " mark, 
 and he and I were talking over the expenses of a 
 military life. I have been playing a good game 
 lately, and I am glad to say that I can drive a 
 straight and fairly long ball. I am sorry to say that 
 poor dear old Archie Stewart is dead. He died on 
 the same day as his sister ; I have forgotten her 
 name. He certainly was one of the best. I have 
 heard nothing of Bob lately. I will be pleased to 
 send you a photograph, even after your insolent 
 remarks about dressing myself properly. 
 
 The Calcutta Cup you will be glad to hear is now 
 on the mess table, and looks very well. Nails, I. am 
 sorry to say, got kicked out of St. Andrews by the 
 Governor after he had got over the wall, and left the 
 dog next door for dead. I meant to go over to 
 St. Andrews next week to play for the Jubilee Vase, 
 but as I hear I am to owe 4 or 5 strokes I am going 
 to sit tight till the Medal. Our old Colonel has just 
 left us ; he was a capital chap. One night after I 
 had come back from St. Andrews I took him into 
 the mess-room to show him the cup ; he was very 
 pleased with it and said, " Well, Tait, I do not know 
 of anything that we cannot win," and then catching 
 sight of a very impudent 2nd Lieutenant he said, 
 
 " Well, , what cup are you going to win 
 
 for us ? " "I don't know, Colonel," said - . 
 " Well, I think I can tell you," said the Colonel. 
 "What, sir?" said - , awfully pleased. "The 
 championship of the army for downright cheek." 
 
 A new paper called The Golfer has been started in 
 Edinburgh a week or two ago, I was interviewed 
 to-day ; I will send you a copy. Alec is going to 
 play in the Jubilee Vase, I hope he will make a good 
 
 86
 
 I
 
 A Record 
 
 show. I was over at Barry the other day putting 
 my company through their annual course of mus- 
 ketry, and I played a good deal of golf with your old 
 friend Bob Simpson. He asked very kindly after 
 you, and told me a lot of amusing stories. He is 
 a most excellent man. We have a brother of David 
 Macfarlan's in the regiment, a very fine fellow 
 and an excellent golfer. We played six rounds 
 against Archie and Bob, and won three each, only 
 unfortunately we agreed to play the last four rounds 
 as two 36 hole matches, and although we each won 
 2 rounds they beat us on each 36. I know a very 
 good chap in the 48th Trent by name. Alec has 
 just been up here, and has sneaked my best " iron " 
 to try and win the Vase. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 The Autumn Meeting of 1894 at St. An- 
 drews was a very notable one. The Right 
 Honourable A. J. Balfour was captain, and 
 the gathering was the largest on record. The 
 golf also was first rate, Mr. Leslie Balfour and 
 Mr. Laidlay were both round in 80, but Tait 
 went two better and finished in the grand 
 score of 78. The details of his score were : 
 Out, 464364634 = 40; in, 4344554 
 54 = 38 = 78. 
 
 The dinner after the competition was 
 equally memorable, and places had to be 
 balloted for, so great was the demand for 
 seats. Mr. Balfour made an excellent speech, 
 and the subsequent speakers, no doubt re- 
 cognising that they could not equal the right 
 
 87
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 honourable gentleman in the quality of their 
 orations, tried to surpass him in the quantity. 
 Tait's speech was, however, the best and the 
 shortest. He upheld the principle of leading 
 trumps when in doubt, the necessity of using 
 a niblick when in a bunker, and maintained 
 that the chief end of the diner was to enjoy 
 the repast rather than discuss irrelevant 
 subjects. 
 
 After his St. Andrews triumph Tait re- 
 turned to Edinburgh, remaining at the Castle 
 until the autumn of 1896, when he went to 
 Ballater to act as one of Her Majesty's guard. 
 Of Tait's life at Edinburgh Castle I know but 
 little. It was simply the life of a young 
 soldier, doing the routine duties of his military 
 calling, and looking forward with pleasure to 
 the days of leave which he could spend at 
 St. Andrews and elsewhere. It is a sad 
 thought, moreover, that the sources of informa- 
 tion as to his doings when in the Black 
 Watch are not available. All his comrades 
 in arms have gone forth to do their duty in a 
 distant land, from which many, alas, will never 
 return. 
 
 Tait's enthusiasm for sport found vent 
 on the football field, and we find him 
 playing, and playing well, for the Edinburgh 
 Academicals during the early part of the 
 season 1894-95. The regiment had one of 
 the best football teams in the army, but the 
 
 88
 
 A Record 
 
 soldiers pursued the round ball, not the oval 
 one. This fact did not prevent Tait from 
 being the keenest supporter of the team during 
 their successful progress in the competition 
 for the Army Cup. Meanwhile what little 
 golf was going was of a character not likely to 
 be of much service as practice for future 
 matches. A sloping roof projects southward 
 from Edinburgh Castle, and of an evening 
 Tait and a brother enthusiast would go forth 
 on to this strange tee with a few old balls. 
 From this lofty plateau the balls were driven, 
 and fell to earth, I know not where; it mayhap 
 on the house roofs, or perchance on the head 
 of some passer-by, who, greatly wondering, 
 would no doubt take the apparently heaven- 
 sent missile home, and detail to incredulous 
 friends the circumstances of its capture. 
 
 The beginning of 1895 saw the formation 
 of the New Luffness Golf Club, and Tait 
 greatly interested himself in the new venture, 
 being one of the first life-members to join the 
 club. The first medal was played for in April, 
 1895, though a professional meeting had taken 
 place earlier in the year. The course, now 
 one of the finest in Scotland, was then some- 
 what in the rough stage, so that the score 
 with which Tait won, viz., 76, must be con- 
 sidered an exceptionally fine one, beating as it 
 did all previous professional records by six 
 strokes. This was the first time that he had 
 
 89
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 ever played on the course, and his score has 
 never been beaten. Tait kept up his interest 
 in the New Luffness Club, and in July, 1898, 
 when they entered for the first time for the 
 East Lothian Cup, he was one of their winning 
 team. 
 
 During 1895 Tait played so well that his 
 comparative failure in some of the big events 
 of the year is the more remarkable. 
 
 At the Spring Meeting at St. Andrews he 
 won the second medal after a tie with Mr. 
 A. Stuart at 85. Mr. Laidlay finished no less 
 than seven strokes to the good of these two, 
 but then his score was a phenomenal one. 
 There was a strong north-west wind, and the 
 greens, as is often the case at this season at 
 St. Andrews, were very keen and difficult. 
 Mr. Laidlay 's score of 78 was perhaps there- 
 fore, under the circumstances, up to this time 
 the best of this great player's scoring per- 
 formances. I say " up to this time," not 
 because he has done better for a St. Andrews 
 Medal, but because he has since put on 
 record a 73 for the Tantallon Medal, which 
 is, I venture to think, the best score, amateur 
 or professional, which has ever been made in 
 a real contest with the scoring card and pencil 
 as chief spectators. 
 
 In the Amateur Championship, which fol- 
 lowed hard on the St. Andrews Meeting, after 
 starting favourite and playing grand golf 
 
 90
 
 A Record 
 
 against Mr. Stuart and Mr. Laidlay, Tait 
 fell before Mr. John Ball. In the Open 
 Championship, which was also held at St. 
 Andrews, he hardly did as well as might 
 have been hoped, though in the tournament 
 held on the following day on the new course, 
 he came out first of the amateurs, being 
 3 strokes worse than Herd, the winner, and 
 a stroke better than the future champion, 
 H. Vardon. 
 
 During the summer months spent in Edin- 
 burgh, Tait was distinguishing himself on the 
 cricket field, playing for the Grange C.C., a 
 club which included many of his old school 
 friends. September found him again at 
 St. Andrews, and found him in his best 
 form. He played for and won the Jubilee 
 Vase from the " owe 3 " mark, a unique per- 
 formance. In the course of his victorious 
 career he played Mr. F. A. Fairlie, to whom 
 he conceded i stroke, Mr. Jim Blackwell, 
 Capt. Stott, then his brother Alec, and finally 
 Mr. T. Jeffrey, who received a half from the 
 winner. Tait played grand golf all through 
 the tournament, though physically far from 
 well on the first day. His win was, as usual, 
 very popular, and among many messages of 
 congratulation came a characteristic telegram 
 from his father's old fellow worker 
 
 Our congratulations to you and Mrs. Tait. 
 Hope Alec is not too much cast down, nor Fred
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 uplifted. Suppose he will be made brevet-major, 
 and the Victoria Jubilee Vase inscribed on Black 
 Watch colours. KELVIN. 
 
 Although on the great Autumn Medal day 
 Tait returned the sound score of 83, he was 
 only one of eight who had equalled or bettered 
 that figure, so good was the scoring. How- 
 ever, in the following month, Tait won the 
 Scratch Medal at the New Luffness Club on 
 a windy day with a score of 86, and in the 
 afternoon, in a match against the best ball 
 of Mr. Armour and Mr. Mitchell Innes, he 
 went round in 79, beating the formidable 
 combination by two holes. 
 
 In the beginning of 1896 Tait spent his 
 two months' leave shooting in Aberdeenshire, 
 and afterwards golfing at St. Andrews. The 
 following letters, the first two written to his 
 brother in India, and the third to Mrs. Tait, 
 throw some light on his golf and the further 
 development of the series of experiments in 
 which Tait assisted his father. At this date, 
 and indeed long before, when with the 
 Leinster Regiment, Tait was anxious for 
 foreign service, and it is probable that had 
 he not obtained a staff appointment he would 
 have gone to India in 1897. 
 
 2 January, 1896. 
 Dear Jack, 
 
 I hope you are fit. I wish you a happy 
 New Year, and many of them. The governor 
 
 92
 
 A Record 
 
 and I had a very successful day at college. We 
 think we have at last arrived at the truth about the 
 initial velocity of a good drive (220 feet a second). 
 I am on leave for two months. I am going off 
 to shoot with a brother officer in a day or two. 
 My class dinner comes off soon ; I am in the chair, 
 so I fancy we will have a good night. I am 
 learning the pipes, and am getting on first class. 
 I told Mrs. Lang the story of the old lady who 
 was had up for assaulting her husband (biting a 
 piece off his nose). The judge who tried the case 
 remarked that it was a most painful and dis- 
 gusting case ; but as the lady did not appear to 
 have any previous conviction against her, all he 
 could do was to bind her over to keep the peace. 
 She replied she was very sorry she could not, as 
 she had given it to the cat. 
 
 Mrs. Lang enjoyed this story immensely. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 38, George Square, 
 Edinburgh, 
 15 January, 1896. 
 Dear Jack, 
 
 As I am at present staying at 38, G. S., 
 and have not very much to do, I thought I might 
 send you a few lines. I have just come back from 
 Aberdeenshire, where I had an excellent week's 
 shooting. I was staying with one of our fellows, 
 the Master of Sempill. We had very good sport ; 
 any amount of partridges and rabbits, and a few 
 pheasants. I am going to St. Andrews next week, 
 to stay with another of our lot who has got 
 lodgings there for a week or two Macfarlan, by 
 
 93
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 name. He is a brother of the great David MacF. 
 The one in my regiment is an excellent golfer, 
 and one of the finest drivers I ever saw. He is 
 a very powerful fellow, over 6 feet 3 inches, and 
 has a most perfect swing. He and I are going to 
 take on any two at St. Andrews. When we 
 were at Barry, two years ago, he and I had some 
 splendid matches against the two Simpsons. We 
 played six rounds, and we each won three. The 
 last time I saw old Bob Simpson he was asking 
 very tenderly after you. I think he is an excellent 
 fellow; I get all my clubs from him now. The 
 governor has been making a lot of experiments 
 lately at college. He has now finally settled that 
 the initial velocity of a really good drive is about 
 240 feet a second. I don't think I will waste any 
 time in explaining how this result was arrived at, 
 as you never were much good at either natural 
 philosophy or mathematics. 
 
 Macfarlan and I did all the driving. The 
 governor has written a long article on the subject, 
 which will appear in the Badminton Magazine for 
 March. I think I will come out to India in 
 another year or so and join our ist Battalion. 
 Our ist Battalion is at present at the Cape and 
 Mauritius, half at each. In March they go to 
 India, unless there is likely to be any fighting with 
 the Boers. My present Battalion is going to York 
 some time this year. Billy has improved in his 
 singing, but it is still dreadful. The St. Andrew 
 Square masher is a great authority now on every 
 subject, and I am sorry to say the poor old 
 governor has a bad time of it between him and 
 Kilbirnie. I hope you will be back for a bit next 
 year or this year. I believe you want to play the 
 
 94
 
 A Record 
 
 best ball of Rolland and myself. I do not know 
 where you got your information from about heeled 
 mashie shots in my 72 round ; I never heeled a 
 single one (Golf, February 16, 1894). 
 
 I am getting on first class on my chanter, and 
 will be able to play a tune on the pipes by 
 March. 38 ought to be fairly lively between 
 me and Kilbirnie. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Royal and Ancient Golf Club 
 of St. Andrews, 
 
 31 January, 1896. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I will be back in time for dinner to-morrow 
 night (Saturday). I want to have another lesson 
 on the chanter on Monday. I expect I will go 
 back to St. Andrews on Tuesday or Wednesday. 
 We have been having great fun over here, and very 
 jolly weather. Macfarlan and I have played twice 
 against Jim Blackwell and Willie Burn, winning 
 the first by 4 and 2, and the second by 5 and 4. 
 On the second occasion we came back in 34 ; 
 which, I believe, has never been done before. 
 The holes were very long, so that it is really a 
 magnificent performance. 443444344 = 34. 
 
 The short hole in we just lay on the lip for 3, 
 and they knocked us in, so we might almost call 
 it 33. We took 44 to go out, unfortunately. 
 Total, 78. We also played Jim Blackwell and 
 Macfie three matches. Lost the first by 2 at the 
 last hole ; won the second by I, and the third by 
 6 and 5. I have enjoyed myself immensely, and I 
 
 95
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 am very sorry that the Macfarlans cannot stay any 
 longer. You might have dinner at six to-morrow, 
 as I have to go out after. Macfarlan has been 
 playing very well the last few days. I have just 
 had a 3-ball match with him and Jim, and beat 
 them both at the burn ; the former by 2, the 
 latter by 3. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 1896 is known among golfers as " Tait's 
 Year," principally on account of his grand play 
 at Sandwich in the St. George's Vase and 
 Amateur Championship, both of which events 
 he won. His play at Sandwich will be more 
 fully put on record in the Appendix, but two 
 scores which he made in the spring of this 
 year are very worthy of note. On March 
 22nd he went round Muirfield in 73, his 
 score being made up thus : Out, 354454 
 
 4 5 4 = 38 ; in, 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 5 = 35- Just 
 before leaving for Sandwich he played an even 
 more remarkable round, this time at North 
 Berwick. His score was 74, and those who 
 know the length and difficulty of the ex- 
 tended course consider this one of his greatest 
 scoring feats. His figures were : Out, 454 
 344453 = 36; in, 444443564== 38; 
 total, 74. On the following day he beat 
 Sayers by 8 holes ; Ben's remark at the con- 
 clusion of the round fairly summed up the 
 situation " Beaten by 8 holes on my own 
 green ; it's no possible but it's a fac'."
 
 A Record 
 
 Tait played at the May Meeting at St. 
 Andrews, but without success. He was, how- 
 ever, in grand form in the Open Champion- 
 ship at Muirfield, where he finished third to 
 Vardon and Taylor. 
 
 In the amateur event, Tait defeated one 
 after another all the crack players of the 
 day Mr. Hutchings, Mr. Laidlay, Mr. Ball, 
 Mr. Horace Hutchinson, and Mr. Hilton. 
 He went from strength to strength, and 
 apparently seemed to play better each round, 
 his play in the final being absolutely per- 
 fect. 
 
 Writing of this match, his opponent, Mr. 
 Hilton, says : 
 
 I never remember witnessing finer golf than that 
 displayed by Mr. F. G. Tait in the final round at 
 Sandwich. His driving, although probably not 
 quite as long as of yore, was infinitely more accu- 
 rate than what we have been accustomed to asso- 
 ciate with the name of the champion ; in fact, for 
 my own part, I have never yet seen more accurate 
 play both from the tee and through the green. 
 He has always had the reputation of being a good 
 putter, and he certainly did not fail to act up to 
 that reputation, his holing out at two or three 
 yards being marvellously correct ; in fact, it was 
 golf of the finest order, and the sensational part 
 of the performance was almost lost in the machine- 
 like accuracy with which the holes were played 
 one after another. 
 
 Tait's triumph at Sandwich was received 
 97 G
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 with immense satisfaction at Edinburgh 
 Castle ; colonel, officers, and men all enter- 
 ing into the joy, which was quite national. 
 The Championship Cup was added to the 
 other trophies which decorated the mess table 
 of the Black Watch, and Tait's popularity, 
 if possible, increased. He was elected an 
 honorary member of the Burgess Golfing 
 Society, and played several matches on their 
 new green at Barnton, notably a three-ball 
 match with Mr. Armour and Mr. Gray as 
 opponents, in which he lowered the record 
 of the green with a score of 76. 
 
 Instead of the annual visit to St. Andrews 
 in September a visit he never, with this 
 exception, missed for about twenty years 
 Tait went to Ballater to act as one of Her 
 Majesty's guard at Balmoral. The life at 
 Ballater suited him admirably, and he always 
 looked back on the six weeks he spent there 
 as among the happiest days of his life. Tait 
 had had no great experience of the gentle 
 craft of angling, and certainly had never 
 thrown a fly upon the waters with the hope 
 of securing a salmon. Notwithstanding his 
 inexperience, he turned out to be an excellent 
 disciple of the great Isaac, and landed many 
 and good fish, being indeed the most success- 
 ful fisherman on the water which the Queen 
 so kindly reserves for the officers on duty at 
 Balmoral. 
 
 98
 
 IPhoto i>j Mr. Milne. 
 
 P. Q. TAIT AT BALMORAL, 1896.
 
 A Record 
 
 During his stay at Ballater he met the 
 Czar of Russia, to whom he was presented 
 as the hero of the Scottish national game ; 
 but the following letters, fortunately pre- 
 served, give the best insight possible into his 
 life at the Queen's Highland home : 
 
 The Barracks, 
 
 Ballater, 
 
 20 September, 1896. 
 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 Thanks for your letter. We will be awfully 
 busy here this week with the Czar. The band and 
 pipers are here, and another fifty men, also a troop 
 of the Scots Greys. Great preparations at Ballater 
 for the Czar ; electric light and flags, and all sorts 
 of things. Sir W. Brooks is going to give me my 
 first head. I had a jolly day partridge shooting 
 with Bogie Hamilton at Skene ; we got twenty-five 
 brace. I have met the Duke and Duchess of York, 
 both very nice and pleasant. I hope to get two 
 or three more days' stalking yet. Lord Glenesk 
 always gives his heads away. This is an awfully 
 expensive place ; we have got to do so much 
 driving, and a lot of dining out to be done. 
 
 The Czar comes at seven o'clock on Tuesday 
 evening. I hope there will be no bomb throwing 
 anywhere near us, as the wrong people are generally 
 hit ; personally I would rather be killed by a golf 
 ball. If I get a good salmon I will send it to 
 you. Please send me some calling cards. I don't 
 think Lieutenant Tait will win the King William 
 IVth Medal this year. Tell Alec to stick in and 
 win. Willie might win the handicap if he has not 
 to use his heavy iron too much. 
 
 99 G 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 I hope Edith will win the Ladies' Medal. Hope 
 Uncle John is fit. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 The Barracks, 
 
 Ballater, 
 
 25 September, 1896. 
 
 My dear Father, 
 
 I thought you might like to hear of my 
 interview with the Czar. We dined at Balmoral 
 with the Household on Wednesday night, and after 
 dinner we were presented to the Queen and the 
 Czar. The Queen was very gracious, and spoke 
 to us all. Five of us went over from here. Our 
 three selves and two officers of the Scots Greys 
 very nice fellows. Balmoral is nine miles from 
 here. I was introduced to the Czar (or rather 
 presented) by the Duke of Connaught, as the 
 Champion Golfer of Scotland. He did not seem 
 to know much about the game, but he soon picked 
 it up. I spoke to him for ten minutes or so. He 
 was exceedingly pleasant to talk to. He is short, 
 very much like the Duke of York both in figure and 
 face. I should say that he was a very timid and 
 nervous man. We have just received an order to 
 go to Balmoral and write our names in the Queen's 
 birthday book. 
 
 I had a great day's fishing on Tuesday before 
 the Czar came. I killed five salmon, weighing 22, 
 14, 12, 7^, and 6lbs. ; that is our best day so far. 
 Up to now we have killed twenty-nine. The Queen 
 gives us four miles of the Dee. To-morrow we 
 shoot partridges with Keiller (of Dundee fame). 
 We expect some more stalking soon. Please tell 
 
 100
 
 A Record 
 
 the old lady to tell Gordon that I will be "took" here 
 for the golfing picture. Dining with the Household 
 I sat next Sir Arthur Bigge, and during dinner about 
 twenty telegrams came in from all parts of the 
 Kingdom, and one from Egypt and one from Lord 
 Salisbury. He seems to answer all the Queen's 
 telegrams. We met the Queen's doctor, and all 
 sorts of people. I hope Alec will win the medal 
 this year. If you see Macfie you might tell him 
 that I am now an awfully keen fisherman. No more 
 time. Just off to Balmoral. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 The Barracks, 
 
 Ballater, 
 My dear Mother, TI November 1896. 
 
 Thanks for your letter. We leave here on 
 Saturday morning, Bruce and Cameron by the 
 early train. I come on with a sergeant and a man 
 later on. I remain here after them to hand over the 
 barracks, etc. I get to Edinburgh about 5.15 in the 
 afternoon. 
 
 We dined at Balmoral last night, and were agajn 
 presented to Her Most Gracious Majesty. She was 
 good enough to speak to us all. Personally, I had 
 quite a nice little chat. She can make herself very 
 pleasant, and she certainly did last night. I had a 
 long chat with Sir James Reid, he is a very jovial 
 fellow. No more time. Will look you up if I have 
 time on Saturday. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 When Tait returned to Edinburgh he found 
 his regiment about to leave for York, and, 
 
 101
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 probably not without a sigh, he turned his back 
 for a time on Scotland and her fair capital. 
 
 Tait remained at York until the end of 
 1897, and during his stay there made many 
 friends. Chief among these were two 
 young Lieutenants, Mr. A. G. Wauchope and 
 Mr. N. N. Ramsay. Tait had many interests 
 in common with them, and these three were 
 fast friends to the end. All three were keen 
 sportsmen, and devoted to every form of game. 
 Ramsay, indeed, was a fine all-round athlete, 
 and will be well remembered by all old Wyke- 
 hamists as one of the best football players the 
 school has turned out. He was no mean 
 golfer, and, like Tait, took a great interest in 
 pipe playing and Highland dancing, in which 
 latter art he was quite an adept. Tait worked 
 very hard at the bagpipes, and whenever he 
 had a chance he went to the meetings of the 
 Pipe Club in Edinburgh. 
 
 In the beginning of 1897 Tait was on leave 
 in Scotland. There was hard frost in January, 
 so hard that golf was impossible for a time. 
 Tait, however, got his fun out of curling 
 instead. 
 
 Writing to his brother Jack, he gives some 
 account of things during his leave- 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 My dear Jack, 27 January, 1897. 
 
 I hope you are fit. The old lady has 
 asked me about fifty times to-day if I have written 
 
 102
 
 to you, so I hope to be able to answer yes to the 
 fifty-first time. I came up here on the I4th of 
 this month for two months. Up till now I have 
 only played one day's golf, as there has been a lot 
 of snow and frost. I have had about a week's 
 curling. I am very fond of the game, but a week 
 at a time is quite enough for me. I like curling 
 in the country, where you meet a lot of ploughmen 
 and gardeners, and that class of people, and then 
 you get plenty of excitement. Down at Coates' 
 Club, where I have been playing (just behind the 
 Grange Field), you only meet judges and lawyers, 
 and business men and that sort of crowd. 
 
 I am getting on first class with the pipes. I 
 can play five marches now. I have just read the 
 old lady's letter to you ; I see she has not got 
 the spelling of my best march right. " Glendaruel " 
 is the name. My other tunes are "The ygth's 
 Farewell to Gibraltar," " The Portree Men," 
 "Pibroch of Donnil Dhu," and "Jenny's Bawbee." 
 
 I am learning a strathspey called " Brechin 
 Castle," and another march, " The Earl of 
 Mansfield." 
 
 Willie had a go at my chanter last night ; I 
 think he is going to start again. Jolly for the 
 governor and old lady. The old man is gradu- 
 ally getting broken in to the pipes as he was to 
 my dog " Nails." I am going to Prestwick and 
 St. Andrews for a week or two when the frost goes. 
 The Welsh Match is off for Saturday. The English 
 Union has made A. J. Gould a professional, because 
 he accepted a testimonial (nothing like such a large 
 one as Grace got). Wales won't play without 
 Gould, and so the match is off until the matter 
 is settled. Wales are good this year. We have 
 
 103
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 got a capital forward team for them however. I 
 think we ought to win all right. We expect to get 
 some capital cricket at York this summer. I am 
 very keen, but I shall not play until I have got 
 the serious golf off my hands. 
 
 The last time I saw Bob Simpson he was asking 
 very tenderly after you, and wanted to know when 
 you were coming back, and all that sort of thing. 
 I suppose you will be back this year for six months 
 or so. It will do you good to have a month or 
 two at St. Andrews, golfing, and a dip at the Step 
 Rock every now and then. You will then have a 
 chance of playing the best ball of Andrew Kirkcaldy 
 and myself. 
 
 The Amateur Championship is earlier this year, 
 and is to be played for at Muirfield (a course I 
 hate like poison), last week in April I think. 
 The Open just a fortnight later. 
 
 Hoping to see you sometime this year. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Tait went to Manchester to see the Inter- 
 national Football Match in 1897, and in a 
 characteristic note written on his return to 
 York, he expresses his disgust at the poor 
 play of his countrymen. 
 
 Infantry Barracks, 
 
 York, 
 
 21 March, 1897. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 Many thanks for your letter. I have not 
 got over that football match yet. 
 
 I never saw any Scotch forward team play so 
 badly.
 
 A Record 
 
 The English team played very well, especially 
 the quarters. We are very busy here. I have 
 been up at six every morning except one since 
 I came ; rather a change from Edinburgh life. I 
 had a day at Ganton yesterday, and played well. 
 Young Wauchope came with me. Colonel very fit. 
 When we reported ourselves the morning after we 
 came back from leave, he said, " I am very pleased 
 to see you all back again." The last two days 
 have been perfect here. Sorry I did not see the 
 governor before I left ; hope he is fit. 
 
 Hope to have another day's golf this week. 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Tait's remark in this letter that he had 
 " played well " on the previous day at 
 Ganton, hardly describes sufficiently what 
 took place. As a matter of fact, we know 
 from other sources that he did the round in 
 the extraordinary score of 68. The course 
 was, however, rather shorter than usual, so 
 that the score of 70, which he made just 
 before the Park and Vardon match, is held 
 to be the accepted amateur record. 
 
 At Luffness, Tait won the Scratch Medal 
 with a score of 78 ; and at St. Andrews he 
 tied with Mr. Leslie Balfour Melville at 84. 
 This tie had to be played off in August, the 
 first attempt having resulted in honours being 
 again easy ; at the third time of asking, how- 
 ever, Tait was victorious. 
 
 In the Amateur Championship he was 
 
 105
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 beaten by his old friend and opponent, Mr. 
 W. Greig, but in the Open Championship 
 he was in grand fonn, and finished third to 
 Mr. Hilton and Braid. 
 
 At York the Black Watch Cricket Eleven 
 were having a successful season, winning 
 33 matches and losing 9. Tait stood second 
 in the batting averages, with a record of 523 
 runs made in 27 innings, giving him an 
 average of over 19. 
 
 The last two months of 1897 Tait spent 
 in Scotland on leave, and proceeded at the 
 beginning of 1898 to Aldershot, where he 
 went through six months gymnastic training 
 with a view to qualifying for a staff appoint- 
 ment. He describes his shooting and golfing 
 exploits in the following brotherly letter : 
 
 38, George Square, 
 
 28 October, 1897. 
 
 Dear Jack, 
 
 I hope you are fit. I am on first leave just 
 now that is to say, I5th October to 3ist December. 
 I bad a week with a fellow, Ramsay, in my regi- 
 ment, who comes from Alyth in Perthshire. We 
 had some capital shooting. I killed a capercailzie 
 (I hope that is the correct spelling). 
 
 I am going to stay with a man, Kerr, at Luff- 
 ness House for a few days. He manages the 
 tramways all over the country, and is consequently 
 called " Tramway Kerr." A little later on I am 
 going to stay with him, and help him shoot his 
 covers. 
 
 106
 
 A Record 
 
 I made an awful mess of the last 3 holes on 
 the Medal day last September. I have not been 
 playing enough this year. I can play 15 holes 
 very well, and 3 very badly. I ought to have 
 finished in 77 at the very most. I don't care 
 much about the scoring game. 
 
 I am getting on very well with the pipes; I 
 think the old man is beginning -to appreciate their 
 strains. Old Bob Simpson always asks for you ; 
 he is a capital chap. He has a very fine business 
 now, and is getting very fat. I suppose you are 
 entitled to a year's leave now. Come back next 
 year and play Holland and me for a year's pay ! 
 
 If you come across the 42nd, look out for Major 
 Wiltshire, Major Burton, and F. D. Murray. 
 
 No more time, 
 
 Yours aye, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 While at St. Andrews, in November, 1897, 
 Tait played several very notable matches ; a 
 4-ball match in particular, with Mr. Edward 
 Blackwell against Andrew Kirkcaldy and 
 Willie Auchterlonie, is especially noteworthy. 
 The amateurs played most brilliant golf, 
 thrashing the professionals by a pocketful of 
 holes, and in the first round establishing 
 what must be a record for this species of 
 golf. Their figures were : Out, 5434444 
 i 4 = 33 ; in, 3 4 3 5 5 4 4 4 4 == 36 ; total, 69. 
 The eighth hole was done by Mr. Blackwell 
 in one stroke, and I have no doubt he paid 
 the full penalty. 
 
 On January ist, 1898, Tait migrated to 
 
 107
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Aldershot, where he remained, with the ex- 
 ception of several golfing excursions, until 
 the end of June. At St. Andrews he was 
 unsuccessful, but at Hoylake he was in grand 
 form, and regained the Championship Cup, 
 a most popular win. On the eve of starting 
 he writes to his mother 
 
 17, Grosvenor Road, 
 
 Aldershot, 
 
 1 6 May, 1898. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I am off to Hoylake on Friday, so I shall 
 have Saturday and Monday for practice. I have 
 been playing much better, so I hope to do myself 
 justice this year. 
 
 I have been offered a gymnastic appointment 
 already by Colonel Napier, the Superintendent of 
 Gymnasia for the Army. Not bad for Frederick, 
 considering that I have not got my certificate yet. 
 I have accepted the billet ; it is at Colchester. I 
 suppose I shall go there in July, unless the War 
 Office disapproves, or Colonel Andy cannot get on 
 without me. As I said before, the gymnastic 
 billets are the best in the army ; I don't mean in 
 pay, as there is practically no difference (because 
 while you are away from your regiment you still 
 have to pay regimental subscriptions, etc.), but you 
 are entirely your own master and run your own 
 show. I intend to have a model gym. 
 
 If you have any message for Janion send me a 
 letter here, to arrive not later than Friday morning. 
 No more time, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 1 08
 
 A Record 
 
 And after the Cup was played for and 
 won, he writes the following notes on his 
 victory 
 
 17, Grosvenor Road, 
 Aldershot, 
 
 2 June, 1898. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I ought to have written to you long ago, 
 but I have had so many things to do and think 
 about that I have only just started to get through a 
 most awful quantity of correspondence. 
 
 Many thanks for all your letters. I had some 
 very narrow shaves, but I played very well with the 
 exception of that fatal day, Thursday. I was feeling 
 very ill, and I really never began to play with Low 
 until I was i down and 3 to play. 
 
 I broke my driver in the middle of the round, 
 and I drove all over the place with the other one. I 
 played any amount of bad shots, but I can assure 
 you that I also played some fairly good ones at 
 the end. 
 
 I played four of the best shots that I have ever 
 played in the last part of my round with Low. 
 
 In the final I was as fit as a fiddle, and played 
 well up to form. 
 
 If I can get three days I shall go to Prestwick, 
 but it is doubtful. Hope you are all very fit. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Almost as interesting as the Championship 
 was the match played at Hoylake between the 
 local club and the Tantallon Golf Club of 
 North Berwick. The result of the match and 
 
 109
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 a short account of Tail's match with Mr. Ball, 
 taken from the Scotsman, are worthy of a 
 place in this record of Tait's doings 
 
 TEAMS. 
 Tantallon. Royal Liverpool. 
 
 F. G. Tait 5 John Ball, Jun o 
 
 G. L. Dalziel o H.H.Hilton 3 
 
 W.B.Taylor o J. Graham, Jun 14 
 
 Dr. Lawrence Gray o C.E.Dick 7 
 
 T. T. Gray o Charles Hutchings 6 
 
 Duncan MacLaren o F. A. Fairlie 5 
 
 C. Whigham o R.S.Hilton 2 
 
 T. Lorimer Campbell o H. A. Farrar 8 
 
 D. M. Jackson o E. Spencer i 
 
 E. R. Turnbull o H. Holden 2 
 
 H. H. Harley 5 E. D. Prothero ... o 
 
 W. T. Armour o W. Crowther 3 
 
 Oliver Thomson o J.Hornby 2 
 
 \V. G. Bloxom o W. C. Glover 14 
 
 Total ... 10 Total ... 67 
 
 Majority for Royal Liverpool, 57 holes. 
 
 Last year at North Berwick it was given to 
 Mr. Ball and Mr. Ross to lead the way ; to-day 
 Mr. Ball had as his opponent Mr. F. G Tait. A 
 meeting between two such players would at any 
 time be interesting ; a double significance attached 
 to the tussle between them on the eve of the Cham- 
 pionship. A few holes were sufficient to show that 
 Mr. Tait was at the very height of his game. He made 
 a grand start by winning the first hole, where he ran 
 up beautifully, in 4. Mr. Ball, however, took the 
 second in rare style in 3, and squared the game. 
 From this point the Scotsman, playing with great 
 brilliancy, dash, and judgment, gradually established 
 
 no
 
 A Record 
 
 a substantial lead. So faultless and effective was 
 his game, that at the turn he had 4 holes in hand. 
 Coming home the game was of a more even character. 
 At the nth hole Mr. Tait played a perfect stroke 
 from the tee, and might, had he required it to win, 
 have had a 2. A3 was sufficiently good to secure 
 him the hole. This made him 5 up, and though he 
 lost the fourteenth he won the next, and with three 
 halved holes to complete the round he was five up at 
 the finish. 
 
 The scores were : Mr. Tait 4 453444545 
 3446565 5=80 ; Mr. Ball 5 3635555454 
 4456655 = 85. 
 
 If in the second stage Mr. Tait did not place 
 anything to the credit of his side, he did not allow 
 his opponent to gain any advantage. With Mr. 
 Ball in improved form, as compared with the early 
 part of the day, their game was of a closer character 
 than was that in the first round. It was remarkable 
 as a finished exposition of golf, and as an indication 
 of the great capabilities of the players. In the first 
 instance, the adsantage lay with Mr. Ball, and at the 
 turn he was 2 holes to the good. This lead he held, 
 despite the efforts of Mr. Tait to wipe it off, until 
 the fifteenth hole. He lost the sixteenth, however 
 the second last was halved, and Mr. Tait won the 
 home hole, where the Hoy lake player was stimied 
 and tried unsuccessfully to loft. Accordingly the 
 match was halved. 
 
 Mr. Ball's score for the round was 78, made up 
 as follows : 6 4 5344353444354656 = 78. 
 
 Shortly after these events Tait won the 
 St. George's Cup at Sandwich for the second 
 time. He and Mr. Mure Fergusson were all 
 
 in
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 square and one to play, the latter lying close 
 to the hole while Tait was at the far edge of 
 the green. Tait ran down a long putt, while 
 Mr. Fergusson, missing his for the half, must be 
 deemed on this occasion a most unlucky man. 
 
 Tait went to Prestwick for the Open 
 Championship, and finished fifth with a score 
 of 315. He also went to Colchester as In- 
 spector of Gymnasia for the Eastern District, 
 but only remained there a few weeks, for in 
 August he was appointed to the Scottish 
 District, much to his satisfaction and the joy 
 of his northern friends. 
 
 His headquarters were at Maryhill Bar- 
 racks, Glasgow, and the other stations he 
 had to superintend included Hamilton and 
 Ayr in the Western District, Perth, Stirling, 
 Edinburgh Castle, Piershill (Edinburgh), 
 Glencorse (Edinburgh), Fort George, and In- 
 verness. His duties included two visits a year 
 at least to each of these centres, and a yearly 
 inspection with the Colonel commanding at 
 Aldershot. Tait took up his residence in 
 Glasgow in October, his usual custom being 
 to spend from Monday till Friday there, and 
 the "week ends" golfing or shooting, gene- 
 rally in the Edinburgh district. 
 
 At the end of the year he was a guest at 
 Luffness House and Gilmerton, where he 
 assisted at the covert shooting. He had in 
 July renewed his connection with the New 
 
 112
 
 A Record 
 
 Luffness Golf Club, and led the team to 
 victory in the County Cup already referred to. 
 The Cup is played for by a team of four from 
 each club, and two foursome matches are played 
 to decide each round. Tait was partnered 
 with Mr. Armour, and the other couple were 
 Mr. T. T. Gray and Mr. A. M. Ross. In the 
 first round they drew a bye, in the second 
 they beat Dirleton Castle, in the third the 
 Honourable Company, and in the final de- 
 feated the Tantallon Club by 4 holes. Tait, 
 with his usual modesty, would take no credit 
 for his part in the victory, but gave his 
 partner all the praise, and it must be said 
 that Mr. Armour gave him most able sup- 
 port. In the following year Tait was per- 
 suaded to play for the Tantallon Club, 
 but his team were defeated in the first 
 round. 
 
 At St. Andrews Tait tied with Mr. Leslie 
 Balfour Melville for the Second Medal at the 
 Autumn Meeting at 82 strokes ; and on play- 
 ing off, won with an almost perfect round of 
 78, his outward half being 37. 
 
 Just before this, Freddie and his brother 
 Alec engaged the two great Hoy lake players, 
 Mr. Hutchings and Mr. J. Graham, junior, 
 in a big match over two rounds of the St. 
 Andrews' green. The Taits gave a grand 
 display, fairly running away from their oppo- 
 nents ; giving them, as Freddie termed it, an 
 
 113 H
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 " awful twisting." This was not owing to 
 the bad or even indifferent play of the Hoy- 
 lake men, but simply because the Taits 
 played the best foursome game that has ever 
 been played on the time-honoured course. 
 
 One of their rounds easily beat all pre- 
 vious records, and their rivals had the some- 
 what unremunerative consolation of having 
 been spectators of a wonderful performance. 
 This round required only 74 strokes. Here 
 are the details : Out, 464464433 38 ; 
 in, 3 2 4 5 6 5 4 4 3 = 36. "I did quite well, 
 but * the young un ' did more than his share " 
 was Freddie's characteristic remark at the 
 end of the round. 
 
 Meanwhile, Tait had been studying hard 
 at his profession, and we find him writing to 
 his brother about his future military pros- 
 pects 
 
 38, George Square, 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 10 November, 1898. 
 Dear Jack, 
 
 The old lady has insisted on my writing to 
 you, and as I am the only one who never causes her 
 any trouble, here goes. 
 
 I finished my examination for promotion to-day ; 
 I think I have examined the examiners all right. 
 My new billet suits me very well, and the work is 
 much more interesting than ordinary regimental 
 work. I hope to be a captain within the next two 
 years. Bullen Smith, the man that exchanged with 
 me, is now a captain. I don't envy him at all. I 
 
 114
 
 A Record 
 
 was at the University for an hour to-day with the 
 governor, driving golf balls for him. He thinks 
 that he has now fairly settled the whole thing; 
 215 feet a second he makes out to be the initial 
 velocity of a golf ball. As far as I can remember, 
 he got the initial velocity at one time nearly up to 
 400 feet a second. His theory is underspin. 
 
 Next week I am shooting five days with a pal 
 of mine, John Kerr, at Gilmorton and Luffness. 
 We shall get about 600 head a day for six guns. 
 I met a Major Miller Wallnutt,* in the Gordon 
 Highlanders ; he said he knew you well. He 
 seems a very nice fellow, and is a fine big 
 chap. 
 
 I have had a fairly successful golfing season this 
 year, and I hope to do better next year, as I ought 
 to be in better practice. 
 
 Benjie and I did a 74 two days before the Medal, 
 and gave two Hoylake fellows, Graham and Hutch- 
 ings, an awful twisting. 
 
 " Strive to cultivate," &c.,t 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 In the beginning of the following year 
 Tait received the news that he had passed 
 his examination with honours in tactics, and 
 was therefore qualified to receive his pro- 
 motion whenever his chance should come. 
 
 * Major Wallnutt was killed at Ladysmith during the Boers' 
 desperate attack on Waggon Hill, Jan. 6th, 1900. 
 
 t This was a reference to a favorite dictum of the Rev. A. K. H. 
 Boyd, which had impressed Freddie and his brother Jack. It ran : 
 " Strive to cultivate humility, you need it sadly." 
 
 115 H 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 The first two months of 1899 Tait spent 
 in the ordinary duties of his appointment, 
 and in golfing on odd days at Muirfield and 
 Luffness. He was able to get a day or two's 
 curling at Tillicoultry, and also at Gilmerton, 
 and in the beginning of February he visited 
 St. Andrews twice ; once for a few days' golf, 
 and once in order to attend the meeting of the 
 Rules of Golf Committee. Tait was one of the 
 prime movers in the last revision of the rules, 
 and his suggestions were always most valuable. 
 When the question of a Golf Union arose in 
 England he took a firm stand against the 
 idea, and when later the whole matter was 
 complicated and nearly bungled by the action 
 of the weaker brethren in the Royal and 
 Ancient Club, Tait was one of the ringleaders, 
 who saved the club from adopting a cowardly 
 half-way course. His love for his mother club 
 was very great, and he always used his 
 immense influence to forward her best in- 
 terests, his shrewd good sense always prompt- 
 ing him to advocate the better policy for her 
 to pursue. 
 
 In the beginning of February Tait played 
 a rather peculiar match at Muirfield, when 
 he undertook to play the best ball of three 
 well-known players. As the match turned 
 out they might have taken half-a-dozen more 
 into their combination without having the 
 best of it, for Tait won by about 12 holes 
 
 116
 
 A Record 
 
 on the 36 hole match. This match is rather 
 unique, and the result goes to show that there 
 is not always safety in numbers, for probably 
 the " three " do not play up to their form, 
 owing to carelessness, and the absence of that 
 feeling of responsibility which puts men on 
 their metal. Tait, however, did the two 
 rounds in something like 73 and 77, which 
 no doubt had a good deal to do with the 
 verdict. 
 
 In the middle of March, Tait paid a visit 
 to the gymnasium at Aldershot, where he saw 
 a lot of his old friends in the Black Watch. 
 While South he visited Oxford with a team of 
 Lothian golfers, captained by Mr. R. H. 
 Johnston, but the visit was a disastrous one 
 for the Scots, the Oxonians beating them very 
 easily. On the following day, March nth, 
 Tait had the pleasure of seeing Scotland beat 
 England in the Rugby International Match at 
 Blackheath. At the May meeting at St. An- 
 drews Tait played perfect golf, carrying all 
 before him with a grand score of 80. 
 
 The Amateur Championship at Prestwick 
 was played at the end of May, and Tait was 
 throughout a hot favourite, though he was 
 hardly up to his best form at the time. In 
 the match against Hoylake, the particulars of 
 which will be found below, he played well, 
 but in several of the rounds in the Champion- 
 ship his play was very uncertain. In his 
 
 117
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 match with Mr. Hilton he played excellently, 
 his putting being quite up to his best, but in 
 the second half of the final he seemed to fall 
 away from the good game he had played in 
 the morning. I do not think that he was 
 quite fit at the time, and he was also rather 
 "over-golfed." I remember him lying down 
 on the sofa before he had finished his lunch on 
 that final day, and complaining that he felt 
 very tired, a most unusual thing for him to do. 
 However he soon regained his form, and 
 playing wonderful golf won the St. George's 
 Cup with a record score of 76 and 79. This 
 76 was one of the finest rounds he ever played, 
 the tees being very far back, and the weather 
 being most unfavourable for low scoring and 
 in marked contrast to the following days on 
 which the Open Championship was held. In 
 this latter event Tait was easily first among 
 the amateurs, though but seventh in the whole 
 field. 
 
 In July the great Park-Vardon match was 
 played, and Tait refereed for Park, both at 
 North Berwick and at Ganton. Tait had 
 confidence in Park's ability to pull off the 
 match, ' and was greatly disappointed with 
 the result. Tait, John Ball, and I stayed with 
 Mr. Broadwood at Scarborough for the Ganton 
 half of the match, Tait being the life and soul 
 of the house party. Tait and Park played 
 Mr. Ball and Vardon a 36 hole match, but 
 
 118
 
 A Record 
 
 lost by five. In a letter to his brother he 
 comments on these events 
 
 Western Club, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 12 July, 1899. 
 
 Dear Jack, 
 
 Thanks for your letter. I played fairly badly 
 all through the championship except against Hilton. 
 I have now knocked him out of the championship 
 five times, and licked him once in a Club Match, 
 Tantallon v. Royal Liverpool. I don't think I 
 would have lost to John Ball if I had not got so 
 many up in the morning. I was 5 up at the 
 1 4th hole, and I thought the whole show was 
 over, and played the last four very slackly. I 
 have learnt a lesson, however, which I hope to 
 remember. I left the amateurs a long way behind 
 in the St. George's Cup, in which I played a real 
 hot game, but I did not keep it up in the Open 
 Championship. 
 
 Your golf balls were sent off about the 2oth of 
 May. I played with that particular kind of ball 
 in the Amateur Championship. I think they are 
 as good as you can get. It is desperate hard to 
 get a good ball just now I find. 
 
 I was one of the umpires in the first half of 
 the Park-Vardon Match the other day at North 
 Berwick. Park drove badly, otherwise he might 
 have been a hole or two up. His putting was very 
 fine, however. I have just applied to be allowed 
 to go out to the Transvaal in the event of my 
 regiment being sent on active service. I think 
 business is meant this time. This billet of mine 
 suits me fine, but I don't want to miss a chance 
 
 119
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 of active service. I suppose we shall see you early 
 next year. 
 Strive, etc. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 A description of the Tantallon Match 
 and Tait's encounter with Mr. Hilton, is 
 here appended. 
 
 Tantallon v. Hoylake, 20th May, 1899. The 
 following were the results of the first round, which 
 consisted of singles 
 
 FIRST ROUND. 
 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 
 Royal Liverpool. 
 
 H. H. Hilton o 
 
 J. Ball, jun o 
 
 J. Graham, jun 2 
 
 C. E. Dick i 
 
 R. H. Dun 2 
 
 A. C. Blain o 
 
 H. A. Farrar o 
 
 R. Goold o 
 
 E. Spencer 5 
 
 J. Hornby o 
 
 W. C. Glover 5 
 
 W. Dod o 
 
 Total ... 15 
 
 TantaUon. 
 
 Mr. F. G. Tait 2 
 
 Mr. J. E. Laidlay 2 
 
 Mr. R. Maxwell o 
 
 Mr. A. W. Robertson o 
 
 Mr. W. B. Taylor o 
 
 Mr. C. F. Whigham 8 
 
 Mr. J. M'Culloch 6 
 
 Mr. C. L. Dalziel 8 
 
 Mr. Josiah Livingstone ... o 
 
 Mr. H. H. Harley i 
 
 Mr. H. M. Brown o 
 
 Mr. G. H. Law i 
 
 Total ... 28 
 
 Majority for Tantallon, 13 holes. 
 
 The first couple, the Champion (Mr. F. G. Tait) 
 and Mr. H. H. Hilton, struck off punctually at one 
 o'clock, by which time the weather had brightened 
 up. Formerly Mr. Ball used to be the first card of 
 the Royal Liverpool Club, but this year the ex- 
 Open Champion, who has lately been playing in his 
 best form, was in the premier place ; and as the two 
 
 120
 
 A Record 
 
 are typical representatives of first class golf, the 
 match naturally attracted the great majority of the 
 spectators, about 500, including a good many ladies, 
 following the players round the course. Though 
 Mr. Hilton has twice won the Open Championship, 
 he has never annexed the amateur blue ribbon ; and 
 for this fact Mr. Tait has a good deal to account, 
 Mr. Hilton having fallen before him on no fewer 
 than four occasions, most notably in the final at 
 Sandwich, when so many heroes had succumbed in 
 former stages. If Mr. Hilton could on this occasion 
 disappoint the evil genius which seems to dog his 
 footsteps when he meets Mr. Tait, it was felt that his 
 chances of being successful next week would be rosy. 
 This, and the international character of the match, 
 gave piquancy to its otherwise interesting nature. 
 The spectators were not disappointed, for the play 
 on both sides was excellent, and the little weakness 
 which eventually led to Mr. Hilton's new defeat was 
 on the putting green, where he several times failed 
 to give the ball a chance ; a weakness unknown to 
 his opponent, who seems always to act on the 
 golden maxim, " Never up, never in," and who on 
 the green really missed nothing, while several times 
 his holing out from a distance was quite phenomenal, 
 one native being heard to remark, after Mr. Tait's 
 three successive 3's at the fifth, sixth, and seventh 
 holes, " It's no gowff at a', it's jist miracles." The 
 Champion made rather a bad start by visiting the 
 railway, a mistake which he repeated in the after- 
 noon, and which caused Charlie Hunter to remark, 
 in his pawky style, " I think he maun hae shares in 
 the company." Mr. Hilton therefore drew first 
 blood in 4. At the second hole the Champion half 
 stimied his opponent, to whom he had to play the 
 
 I2J
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 odd ; but Mr. Hilton managed the stroke, and 
 secured a half in 3. Both had fine lies in front of 
 the Cardinal, but Mr. Tait's second had an advan- 
 tage, as it was on a straight line to the hole, and a 
 fine pitch and equally fine putt won for him the 
 hole in 4 a stroke below par. The fourth hole 
 was lost by Mr. Tait, chiefly owing to the watery 
 nature of the green, which made the ground soft, 
 and shortened what would have been a good pitch. 
 Both got nicely over the Himalayas ; but Mr. 
 Hilton, by weak putting, lost this to his opponent's 
 
 3. The match thus again stood square. Then, 
 with a brilliant approach and putt, Mr. Tait secured 
 the Elysian Fields again under par in 3, following 
 this up with another fine approach and putt at the 
 Railway hole. Monkton was halved in 5. At the 
 end hole Mr. Hilton should have reduced the lead 
 against him, for, after a grand second, Mr. Tait was 
 in the bunker which guards the hole ; but Mr. 
 Hilton's approach and putt following were both 
 weak, while Mr. Tait's recovery was so good that 
 he got down in 5 to 6, and at the turn stood 3 up. 
 At the tenth hole Mr. Hilton holed a long putt for 
 
 4, which, with a hearty cheer from the crowd, 
 seemed to hearten him a little, for he also secured 
 the homeward Himalaya, and was now only i down. 
 The Duke was halved in a ding-dong style in 5, but 
 at the thirteenth hole Mr. Tait, after a great 
 second, holed out in 4 to Mr. Hilton's 5, and 
 raised his lead to 2. The fourteenth was halved in 
 an orthodox 4, and then, in going to the fifteenth, 
 Mr. Hilton came to grief in the bunker to the left, 
 which has been the scene of many hard words. 
 This was finely carried by the Amateur Champion, 
 thus showing that the hazard is not, as some call it, 
 
 122
 
 A Record 
 
 unfair, but a test of good swiping. The Cardinal's 
 back was a pretty half in four, and in ordinary 
 phraseology Mr. Tait here won the match by 3 up 
 and 2 to play ; but the bye had to be added to the 
 general result, and in this the Alps, where both 
 played short in their second, fell to Mr. Hilton in 5, 
 Mr. Tait having given his long putt rather too much 
 in trying for a 4, leaving himself too much to do. 
 The last hole was halved in 3, and this left the 
 Champion 2 up on the round. The details of the 
 scores were : Mr. Tait : Out, 634533355 = 37; 
 in, 555444463 = 40; total, 77. Mr. Hilton : 
 Out, 435444456 = 39; in, 445545453 
 = 39 ; total, 78. 
 
 THE FOURSOMES. 
 Royal Liverpool. Tantallon. 
 
 Messrs. Hilton Ball o Messrs. Laidlay & Tait ... o 
 
 Messrs. Graham & Dick ... 3 Messrs. Maxwell & Robert- 
 son o 
 
 Messrs. Dun Farrar o Messrs. McCulloch & Brown 3 
 
 Messrs. Blair & Dod o Messrs. Whigham & Dal- 
 
 ziel 3 
 
 Messrs. R. Goold & Hornby o Messrs. Taylor & Law 4 
 
 Messrs. Glover & Spencer... i Messrs. Livingstone & 
 
 Harley o 
 
 Majority for Tantallon on foursomes, 6 holes ; 
 majority on match, 19 holes. 
 
 Tait's next golfing expedition was to St. 
 Andrews, where, notwithstanding a 4 holes 
 penalty, he won the Calcutta Cup, playing 
 with great power throughout the competi- 
 tion. 
 
 123
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 He was, however, unable to win the Jubilee 
 Vase, his handicap of "owe 5" being too much 
 for mortal man to strive against, unless indeed, 
 the hitherto honourable term "scratch" has 
 fallen from its high estate. True, he had won 
 the Calcutta Cup owing 4 holes, but it is 
 easier for a player of Tait's power to give 
 4 holes on the new course than 4 strokes on 
 the old. The Autumn Medal, however, fell 
 to him with the good score of 81, and with it 
 the Glennie Medal for the third time with the 
 fine aggregate of 161. Mr. Edward Blackwell 
 should at least have equalled this 81, had he 
 not had the misfortune to have his ball kicked 
 into the road at the lyth hole by a stupid 
 spectator. No one, however, least of all Mr. 
 Blackwell, will do any thing but rejoice at the 
 fact that Tait was enabled to finish his great 
 golfing career victoriously on the green he 
 loved so well. 
 
 Tait played his last great match against 
 Mr. John Ball at St. Anne's on Monday, 
 October 2nd. The match is so interesting 
 for many reasons, that I give the account of 
 it written by Mr. Hilton at the time. It was, 
 alas, the final of a series of great struggles 
 between two of the greatest golfers and finest 
 sportsmen the world of sport has produced. 
 Tait won by i hole, and so avenged his defeat 
 in the championship. He had a great admi- 
 ration for Mr. Ball and for his golf, and the 
 
 124
 
 EDWARD BLACKWELL AND F. G. TAIT ABOUT TO START 
 FOR HIS LAST MEDAL ROUND, September ,899.
 
 A Record 
 
 feeling was, one may be sure, fully recipro- 
 cated. 
 
 Mr. Tait, having had only one opportunity of 
 playing over the links previous to the actual en- 
 counter, was naturally at a slight disadvantage, but 
 St. Anne's is a links which does not materially 
 favour the home player. The distances are not 
 difficult to judge, and in most cases the approach 
 can be played well up to the hole. He was cer- 
 tainly handicapped, in that the breeze a strong 
 one too was blowing from an exactly contrary 
 direction to that in which he played his preliminary 
 round, but that this did not seriously interfere with 
 his game was proved by the excellent judgment he 
 displayed in gauging the distances in his approaches. 
 
 When the players started there was a strong wind 
 from the north-west, which, however, is a favourable 
 wind for the course, as it aids the player on the 
 narrow outward journey. After the first hole had 
 been well halved in 3, Mr. Tait drew first blood at 
 the second with the aid of a pretty 4, Mr. Ball being 
 very short with his second, driving into the railway. 
 At the third hole Mr. Tait was never in sight of a 
 half, while another sliced tee shot was mainly in- 
 strumental in losing him the fourth. At the fifth 
 Mr. Ball ran down a longish putt for 2, and thus 
 stood 2 up. Mr. Tait had an excellent chance of 
 reducing the lead at the sixth, but was faulty in his 
 approach from the edge of the green, and allowed 
 the opportunity to slip, a compliment which Mr. 
 Ball returned at the seventh, a four-foot putt for a 
 win in 5 proving too much for him. Faulty in 
 distance from the tee to the seventh, Mr. Tait was 
 short in his approach putt, and Mr. Ball had no 
 
 125
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 difficulty in increasing his lead to 3, only to lose the 
 ninth through being far too much to the right with 
 his second, and obtaining a very bad lie in conse- 
 quence, leaving him 2 up at the turn. 
 
 From a slightly pulled tee shot to the tenth Mr. 
 Tait was punished, and never making up his leeway, 
 once more found himself 3 down, whilst the eleventh 
 enabled Mr. Ball to add another to his lead, Mr. 
 Tait being again in trouble from the tee. He 
 recovered one of his losses at the thirteenth, a mag- 
 nificent tee shot of fully 230 yards eventually resting 
 within two feet of the hole, Mr. Ball, making a 
 splendid bid for a half, only just failing to hole his 
 short pitch on to the green. After three uneventful 
 halves, Mr. Tait once again reduced the lead by the 
 aid of a brilliant 3 at the sixteenth hole, but lost the 
 seventeenth chiefly through a very badly sliced tee 
 shot. He made amends for this, however, by taking 
 the last in 3, and so stood 2 down on the round, 
 the approximate scores being: Mr. Ball, 78; Mr. 
 Tait, 81. 
 
 The afternoon round opened in favour of the 
 Amateur Champion. He easily annexed the first, 
 his opponent being wide from the tee ; whilst Mr. 
 Tait was hard pressed for a half at the second ; a 
 four-yard putt doing the needful. Useful putts 
 after indifferent approaches resulted in a half at 
 the third, but a faulty approach cost Mr. Tait the 
 fourth ; Mr. Ball, as in the morning, playing the 
 hole perfectly. The fifth was well halved in 3, a 
 similar result being achieved at the sixth ; but at 
 the seventh Mr. Tait gave his opponent no chance, 
 as he holed his approach, thus accomplishing a hole 
 of over 500 yards in three, and this bit of sensation 
 seemed to act as a tonic to him, as from this point 
 
 126
 
 A Record 
 
 he never really looked back, as after a half in 3, 
 he secured the ninth in a perfect 4, this leaving 
 him in the same position as he stood in the morning 
 round, viz., 2 down. 
 
 After the tee shots had been played to the tenth, 
 the hole looked like going to Mr. Tait, but whereas 
 Mr. Ball, from a half-topped tee shot, was lying 
 comparatively well, Mr. Tait was unexpectedly found 
 badly trapped in the extreme end of the bunker, 
 and eventually Mr. Ball secured the hole, and once 
 again stood 3 up. Going to the long eleventh, 
 Mr. Tait considerably outdrove his opponent, but 
 eventually had to be content with a half, a similar 
 result being achieved at the twelfth, where again 
 Mr. Tait had a putt for the hole. At the thirteenth 
 Mr. Ball stimied his opponent, who however 
 deftly manipulated the stroke, and secured a half, 
 leaving Mr. Ball 3 up with 5 to play, generally a 
 fairly secure position, but not secure enough on 
 this occasion, as the sequel proved. An error of 
 judgment was mainly instrumental in losing Mr. 
 Ball the fourteenth, as, taking a cleek for his 
 second, he was very short, whilst at the fifteenth 
 Mr. Tait had much the best of the tee shot ; 
 Mr. Ball eventually making a bold bid for a half, 
 which was, however, ineffectual. One up and 3 to 
 play is not as pleasant as 3 up and 5 to play, at 
 least, from the St. Anne's point of view. But worse 
 was to come, as Mr. Tait, playing the sixteenth to 
 perfection in 3, brought matters on a level footing, 
 whilst the seventeenth appeared likely to go the 
 same way, as Mr. Ball was weak from the tee, and 
 gave his opponent an opportunity, which he just 
 failed to take an advantage of, with the result that 
 the match stood all square with i to play. Mr. 
 
 127
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Tait's tee shot was a long one, but wide of the line, 
 and found a resting-place in the bunkers on the 
 right. On the other hand, Mr. Ball was well on 
 the line, and as he followed it up with an excellent 
 approach within seven yards or so of the hole, Mr. 
 Tait's chance did not appear rosy. He was lying 
 hard and clean in the bunker, however, and playing 
 the stroke to perfection, reached the green a few 
 feet further away from the hole than Mr. Ball. 
 His approach putt was not one of his best, but it 
 left him within three feet of the hole. On the 
 other hand, Mr. Ball, who was lying in a small cup 
 on the green, was woefully short, and failing to get 
 his fourth down, gave Mr. Tait an opportunity of 
 avenging his narrow defeat at Prestwick, which he 
 did not fail to take advantage of, and so ended one 
 of the best matches ever fought out on a golf green. 
 
 On the play, a halved match would have been 
 a fitting determination, as, whereas Mr. Ball un- 
 doubtedly played the steadier golf, as he had done 
 at Prestwick, Mr. Tait's efforts in the last half of 
 the second round deserved at least a half, if not 
 the match. 
 
 For a long while, in fact, well into the second 
 round, Mr. Ball more than held his own in the 
 long game. But Mr, Tait, who seemed to gain a 
 new lease of life at the turn of the second round, 
 had considerably the better of the wooden club 
 play in the later stages, his driving being quite 
 reminiscent of old days. It was an excellent 
 match, played in true sporting spirit, and the only 
 fault to be found is that such games do not occur 
 more frequently. 
 
 From St. Anne's, Tait went to Cowshill, 
 in the county of Durham, for a week's grouse 
 
 128
 
 A Record 
 
 driving, and returned to Glasgow on the day 
 of the declaration of war in South Africa. 
 
 Tait had applied for leave to join his 
 regiment in case of active service, and now 
 made every effort to get rid of his staff 
 appointment in order to rejoin the Black 
 Watch, and his friends were able to bring 
 such strong influence to bear, that his resigna- 
 tion was sanctioned on October i8th. He 
 was shooting at St. Fillans at the time, but 
 started off immediately for Glasgow, and left 
 Edinburgh on the following evening. Two 
 days were spent at Aldershot in getting his 
 kit ready, and after a delay of nearly two 
 days more, during which his steamer, the 
 " Orient," lay befogged at Tilbury, Tait 
 finally started for South Africa on October 
 24th, 1899. 
 
 Such is the outline of Tait's life, traced 
 through its principal events. We may here 
 pause a moment to look a little closer into 
 the man himself, and guess at the elements 
 which made up so lovable a character. As 
 a boy, Tait was impulsive and high-spirited 
 almost to excess. He was always trying to 
 do his best, and hated to be corrected. At 
 school he was a champion of what he thought 
 to be right and just ; and, even as a small 
 boy, did not hesitate to tackle boldly a 
 master, who seemed to him to have treated 
 a boy unfairly. He was very quick-tempered, 
 
 129 i
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and could not brook being ordered about in 
 any way. 
 
 The following story, told me by Mr. F. P. 
 Lemarchand, the old Oxford blue, of Freddie's 
 Sedbergh daj^s, is illustrative of this 
 
 I remember once having a great row with him 
 over nothing. I was looking after a lot of boys 
 bathing, Freddie, or " Connie," as he was always 
 called at school, amongst them. He refused to 
 leave the water when I told them all to come out. 
 At last I said, " Look here, young Tait, if you 
 don't come out I shall give you a good hiding." 
 Instantly he fired up, and said, " If you do, I shall 
 fetch a policeman, and give you in charge ! " I 
 fear that the comic side of the remark seized me, 
 and that I burst out laughing. 
 
 Tait and Mr. Lemarchand were always 
 the greatest friends, and often in after years 
 laughed together over the episode of the 
 policeman. 
 
 Long after this, when Tait was a member 
 of the Royal and Ancient, he had been 
 playing with Mr. David Lamb, and found 
 that one of the holes had been cut in a place 
 which was quite unsuitable for the purpose. 
 A suggestion made to one of the men in 
 charge of the green bore no fruit, so in the 
 evening, Tait, with Mr. Lamb as aider and 
 abettor, went forth armed with a hole-cutter, 
 determined to take the matter into their own 
 hands and remedy the evil. This they did, 
 
 130
 
 A Record 
 
 and provided for themselves and the golfing 
 public a suitable goal for their efforts on the 
 following day. The Green committee of the 
 club did not, however, take the same philan- 
 thropic view of the case, and considered that 
 the act was in some way derogatory to their 
 dignity. Mr. Lamb, as one of the most 
 distinguished members of the club, could not 
 lightly be called in question for his actions, 
 and the authorities also knew from experience 
 that they were likely to come second best out 
 of any discussion in which they had him 
 for an antagonist. 
 
 An apology was demanded, but Tait 
 would hear none of it. Some of his friends, 
 however, wished to settle the dispute, 
 which was really of no serious nature at all, 
 and counselled him to get a legal "chum" 
 to write a diplomatic letter which would put 
 things straight. To this Tait agreed, and 
 the letter, which was of an apologetic nature, 
 was drawn up ready for signature. He read 
 the letter through, and then read it again. 
 "This," said Tait, "looks to me very like 
 an apology," and with this remark he put 
 the letter aside. This incident illustrates the 
 same trait in Tait's character the determina- 
 tion to stick to a line of conduct once 
 adopted, and see the thing through at all 
 costs. His public school and military train- 
 ing however softened down this side of his 
 
 131 12
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 disposition, so that in later years, if it was 
 present in him, he never allowed himself to 
 show it. Tait was however always a man 
 of strong opinions, and entertained strong 
 likes and dislikes ; not the least of the latter 
 was his disapprobation for long sermons. 
 He held the view that a man who had 104 
 opportunities of preaching in the year, ought 
 to confine himself strictly to the twenty 
 minutes limit. He was, moreover, not deeply 
 versed in matters theological, so it is possible 
 that some sermons did not interest him at 
 all. On one occasion, when the preacher 
 had far outrun the time limit, Freddie had 
 left off listening to oral instruction, and was 
 interesting himself with scriptural research. 
 Suddenly he gave his brother Alec, who was 
 sitting next him, a tremendous punch in the 
 ribs, and on being asked what was the matter, 
 he replied, in north country fashion, with the 
 question, " Who is this chap, Haggai ? I 
 never knew that he wrote a book." It was 
 with great pride that Freddie announced his 
 discovery, saying that up till now his father 
 had done all the original research, but that 
 now he could claim his share. 
 
 In his reading, Tait formed his opinion 
 about a book, and if it pleased him, he would 
 rather read it over and over again than ven- 
 ture on pastures new, which might possibly 
 turn out not so congenial to his taste. 
 
 132
 
 A Record 
 
 Though not by any means a bookworm, 
 he was a fairly wide reader ; the older books 
 rather than the newer he read most fre- 
 quently. Dumas, Thackeray, and Fielding, 
 he read constantly; and Scott's " Guy Man - 
 nering" was a prime favourite. "The Three 
 Musketeers," "Vanity Fair," "The Book of 
 Snobs," " Rejected Addresses," " The In- 
 goldsby Legends," " Tom Jones," and Steven- 
 son's " Kidnapped," were books he read and 
 re-read, and he delighted in Herbert's " De- 
 fence of Plevna ; " its tale of heroism seemed 
 entirely to appeal to him. 
 
 In early years Jules Verne was one of his 
 great favourites, and he read with sustained 
 pleasure "The Mysterious Island," and "The 
 Child of the Cavern." Before entering 
 Sandhurst he had read a good many of the 
 elder Dumas' romances. After leaving Sand- 
 hurst he did not for a time devote very much 
 of his leisure to reading, but in the winter 
 of 1894-95, when he was stationed at Edin- 
 burgh Castle, he resumed his reading habits. 
 Tait was always ready to talk about books, 
 and possessed a much greater knowledge of 
 them than many probably would have ex- 
 pected. Tales of fighting and adventure, and 
 books that depicted the heroic in life, were 
 naturally dear to him. He delighted in 
 the exposure of humbug and sham which 
 Thackeray made in " The Book of Snobs ; " 
 
 133
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and he enjoyed equally the satire of " Vanity 
 Fair," and the irony of " Jonathan Wild." 
 
 When Freddie sailed away on his first and 
 last voyage, he left behind him scores of 
 friends and thousands of admirers. He had, 
 indeed, a genius for friendship, and the reason 
 of this is not far to seek. He was possessed 
 of rare tact and sound common sense ; he 
 knew how to deal with men and influence 
 them without being aggressive ; without show- 
 ing that he wished to lead, he was able to 
 command. To the gift of tact he added a 
 brightness and openness of character, and a 
 readiness to see men and things in the best 
 light, which made him a source of enjoyment 
 to all who came in contact with him. It was 
 this pleasant, cheery view of life which caused 
 him to be so beloved by the non-commissioned 
 officers and men who were under him. He 
 never disliked anyone, for although he 
 perceived the weak and small points in a 
 man's character, he saw also the better 
 side, which was obscured by petty faults. 
 He never looked out for the possibilities of 
 evil in life, for he was always too much 
 engrossed in trying to discover the proba- 
 bilities of good. 
 
 There was, however, something more than 
 tact, something greater than cheerfulness of 
 disposition, something deeper than mere good 
 nature in Tait, that gave him the extra-
 
 A Record 
 
 ordinary magnetic influence over all classes of 
 men which he undoubtedly wielded. It was 
 something deeply rooted in his character, 
 something uncultivated, something absolutely 
 and inseparably part of himself. Whenever we 
 think of him the words seem borne to our ears : 
 
 " His strength was as the strength of ten, 
 Because his heart was pure." 
 
 From his father Freddie inherited the firm- 
 ness and strength of character, and the philo 
 sophical disposition which were the ground- 
 work of all his golfing and other successes 
 From his mother he received a singular sweet- 
 ness and gentleness of nature which blended 
 well with the more masculine side of his 
 character, and the two influences combined 
 to produce a man whom to know was to love. 
 
 A most notable and admirable trait in 
 Tait was his affection for his home circle, and 
 their influence on his every thought and action 
 is most strongly marked. With his mother 
 he was in most perfect sympathy, and every 
 detail of his life was unfolded to her with 
 a very beautiful simplicity. 
 
 Wordsworth has written of the " happy 
 warrior " as one who 
 
 "Is yet a soul whose master-bias leans 
 To homefelt pleasure, and to gentle scenes ; 
 Sweet images ! which, wheresoe'er he be, 
 Are at his heart ; and such fidelity 
 It is his darling passion to approve ; 
 More brave for this, that he hath much to love." 
 
 135
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 The thought expressed in these lines 
 represents very truly Tait's attitude towards 
 his home. Popular and feted wherever he 
 went, and mixing, as an honoured guest, with 
 all classes of society, his first thought was ever 
 with his father and mother, his brothers and 
 sisters ; and what they were thinking of him, 
 not what the public was thinking of him, was 
 always uppermost in his mind. His popu- 
 larity was founded on love rather than on 
 admiration. Admiration there was, indeed, 
 and to spare, but the root and origin of it 
 all was in the good will that men felt for the 
 man of good will, and the desire to know better 
 one who was so evidently lovable and worth 
 knowing. His character shone forth, quite 
 easily to be seen in his honest face and gal- 
 lant bearing. One looked into that face and 
 saw that it was good, one looked again and 
 saw that it was honest and brave and true ; 
 and looking yet again, one loved. No one who 
 saw him could mistake the meaning of the 
 man, or fail to learn the secret of his popu- 
 larity. Everything he did was full of love, 
 everything begat love, that was all the secret, 
 that was all the man. He went through life 
 giving joy to the hundreds who knew him as 
 a friend, and pleasure to the thousands who 
 only saw him passing by. 
 
 If it be true that there is no better test of 
 worth than the love of one's fellowmen, Tait's 
 
 136
 
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 life was not lived in vain, but was great 
 indeed. 
 
 "He is not lost, though we shall lose his smile, 
 His ringing laugh, his merry harmless jest. 
 
 Nothing is lost ! for failure cannot be 
 Where wisdom infinite evolves the plan ; 
 
 Tis but a part, and not the whole, we see, 
 In worlds unseen revive things dead to man." 
 
 137
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 F. G. TAIT AS A GOLFER. 
 
 A BOUT the relative merits of golfers there 
 -** will always be controversy and differ- 
 ence of opinion. It must be so in the nature 
 of things, for one style of play will appeal 
 more to some than to others ; and probably 
 there are still many critics who have not yet 
 arrived at the stage when they " know good 
 golf when they see it." To know whether a 
 man is playing well or not, it is often neces- 
 sary to have some previous knowledge of his 
 method of play, to know what his shots are, 
 and to know the likelihood of his success with 
 these shots. A half-topped approach, which 
 rolls up to the hole side, may be indeed a 
 " horrid fluke," or it may be a perfectly 
 played stroke ; we should have to know some- 
 thing of the player before we could pass a 
 verdict. Some men are much more obvious 
 in their methods than others, and as a result 
 they seem to us more scientific in their play. 
 
 138
 
 F. Q. TAIT'S MEDAL CA5E.
 
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 It does not take very much understanding ot 
 the game, for instance, to see what Mr. Hilton 
 is going to do and how he is going to do it ; 
 we cannot do it ourselves, but we can under- 
 stand his method at once. To show that 
 even in so clear a style a knowledge of a 
 man's play is necessary to a due appreciation 
 of his game, I may note that I have often 
 heard the question asked, " How does Hilton 
 put all that extraordinary cut on his approach 
 shots ? " Now those who know his play know 
 that Mr. Hilton does not play his pitching 
 shots with cut at all, but simply lets the club 
 come straight through after the ball, which is 
 the reason that his shots do not break in as 
 it were " from the off." If Mr. Hilton's style 
 is obvious, Tait's was quite the reverse, and I 
 have only mentioned the one in order to con- 
 trast it with the other. 
 
 I must freely admit that I never wholly 
 understood Tait's style and method of play. 
 It is a significant fact that, though Tait was the 
 most popular and most observed player at St. 
 Andrews for about half-a-dozen years, no one 
 seems to have copied him. At North Berwick 
 Mr. Laidlay has scores of imitators, and the 
 leading players, professional and amateur, 
 leave the impress of their style on the youth 
 of their home greens. 
 
 It was not so with Tait, and I take it that 
 the reason for this was that, though many did 
 
 139
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 desire earnestly to imitate him, none were 
 able to do so. The thing looked easy enough 
 until we tried it, but when we attempted to 
 make our analysis, we found that we had 
 failed. There was some ingredient, and that 
 a most essential one, which could not be 
 determined ; that ingredient was Tait's secret, 
 and I do not think anyone has found it out. 
 There were many points in his style, such as 
 the slowness of his back swing and the extra- 
 ordinary control he seemed to exercise over 
 his club, which we could all note. There was 
 also the quick foot action, and the fine follow 
 through of the club, not too soon but just 
 when it was wanted. Then there was the 
 curious grip of the right hand away under the 
 club, the right wrist turned far down towards 
 the ground ; and most likely this last was the 
 stumbling block for the would-be imitators. 
 We try this grip ; it looks as if it might help 
 us to get some extra force into the stroke, but 
 we cannot hit the ball, and that is essential to 
 our making a start with our new style. When 
 I say we cannot hit the ball, I mean that we 
 cannot hit it straight ; our hands seem war- 
 ring against each other, and there is a great 
 desire to turn in the nose of the club-head, 
 with the result that we pull half-a-dozen balls 
 round to square leg, and finally give up our 
 attempt in vain. Tait, however, did not seem 
 to find any difficulty with this grip, and there 
 
 140
 
 \rhototy If, 
 
 P. G. TAIT AT THE TOP OF HIS SWING. 
 
 (f'hoto by If. Doit, Esq. 
 
 P. Q. TAIT PLAYING TO THE SECOND HOLE, PRESTWICK, 1899.
 
 A Record 
 
 was no uneasiness about his manner of taking 
 hold of the club ; it must have been natural 
 to him, else he could not have swung so grace- 
 fully. 
 
 Grace, indeed, and a certain evenness 
 of style were very noticeable in his game ; 
 noticeable in his driving, especially in later 
 years, but more evident still in his iron play. 
 Very unusual was the slowness with which he 
 took his club back from the ball, drawing it 
 away rather than swinging it. Tait seemed 
 to wait patiently until he felt that every factor 
 which made up the total of his balance was 
 perfectly adjusted, and then feet, arms, and 
 hands went forward in a consorted motion of 
 power and graceful rhythm. Tait neither hit 
 nor swung ; his stroke was rather a combina- 
 tion of the two, a swinging hit. If we had to 
 draw the line and place him in one class or 
 another, we should group him with the hitters, 
 for his driving shot was a hit, but at the same 
 time a very smooth hit. These last few years 
 have developed a new idea of golf-ball driving, 
 and this development has taken the form of 
 "hitting" instead of "sweeping" the ball 
 We have all been told that the swing and 
 sweep of the club are essential to the " true 
 style," and this of course is so, if we regard 
 the " true style " as the " swinging and sweep- 
 ing " style ; but perhaps that method is now 
 ruled out of date. Orthodoxy has no real 
 
 141
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 merit save in the fact that it is the embodi- 
 ment of the best opinion of the time. We 
 have only to advance the time and change the 
 opinion to make the orthodox become hetero- 
 dox, and the hitherto received a fallacy. Tait 
 stood in the parting of the ways ; he could 
 not be a pure hitter, because the tradition of 
 his youth was too strong to allow of this ; he 
 therefore retained the swing, and added to it 
 the additional power of the hit. 
 
 When Tait was emerging from boyhood, 
 his driving style had a good deal of a slogging 
 nature in it, and we have seen that in those 
 earlier days he was capable of making pro- 
 digious shots. This capacity he always re- 
 tained, but as years went on he ceased to make 
 a habit of this big stroke, and held it more and 
 more in reserve for great and exceptional oc- 
 casions. He knew his power, but he realised 
 the danger of giving it free play ; he was fearful 
 of its getting the better of him ; he held it in 
 check as a good servant who must always be 
 kept in his proper place. Thus he cultivated 
 that habit of " control " which has been so 
 often noticed as the chief characteristic in his 
 driving style. When speaking of Tait's play it 
 is always the extraordinary shots that attract 
 most attention. Tait, however, did not regard 
 them with any pride, but rather as incidents 
 which should have been avoided by more 
 careful previous shots. Still, the fact remains 
 
 142
 
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 that he was not only capable of playing 
 strokes outside the power of ordinary men, 
 but that in the time of his necessity he almost 
 invariably was able to produce them. Per- 
 haps no better example of this can be found 
 than the fact that he was facile princeps as 
 a foursome player when in partnership with 
 a weak or erratic golfer. 
 
 It was then that those shots, which have 
 been well called " recoveries," were needed 
 once or twice at every hole, instead of once 
 or twice in every two or three rounds. The 
 topped tee shot of his partner had to be made 
 up for by an extra long second, the ball wildly 
 driven had to be snatched from the heather or 
 the whins, and brought back to its proper 
 sphere of influence on the putting green. At 
 such times as these Tait was superb ; the 
 worse the place you put him in, the better 
 pleased did he seem to be ; it was for him but 
 a grand chance of bringing out one of the 
 shots which he had " up his sleeve," but 
 which he required so seldom when playing 
 his own ball. What undoubtedly aided Tait 
 in these recovery shots was the fact that he 
 was invariably " a good trier." He appre- 
 ciated the value of every shot, and never lost 
 sight of the important fact that it is easier to 
 lose or gain a stroke on the putting green than 
 to lose or gain half a stroke through the green. 
 Everyone knows this, but few act up to their
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 knowledge ; Tait was one of these few, and, 
 by the aid of this virtue alone, he gained 
 many of his most famous triumphs. 
 
 Tait, in his later golfing years, never hit a 
 ball hard, unless there seemed to be some 
 necessity for doing so. His plan was to play, 
 not for the shot, but for the object of the shot ; 
 he never allowed himself to strive to win the 
 regard of the gallery at the risk of losing the 
 hole. He was indeed by nature the player 
 who did please the gallery, for the brilliancy 
 of his game made him a first favourite where- 
 ever he went, but there was no striving to 
 show off his strokes, no desire to exhibit his 
 powers. The desire to hit was no doubt his, 
 but he had cultivated a self-control which was 
 more powerful than his physical inclination. 
 The result of this was seen most plainly, as 
 we have already hinted, in the extraordinary 
 control under which he kept his swing. Yet 
 no one knew the value of a long shot better 
 than he, and I can well remember an incident 
 which illustrates this fact. Tait was drawn in 
 a tournament against a player whose game I 
 knew something about. He asked me what 
 manner of man he had to tackle, and when I 
 told him that, when on his game, his anta- 
 gonist was a very long driver, a smile of relief 
 came over Tait's face, and he suggested that 
 he might try one or two big tee shots just to 
 start the game with. I agreed that the plan 
 
 144
 
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 was sound, and the result proved the value of 
 these extra long shots of Tait's against a 
 player who fancied his own hitting powers. 
 
 This " control " of Tait's was seen prin- 
 cipally in his back swing, but was to be 
 detected also at the finish of his drive. 
 Though there was a " follow through " far in 
 excess of what would have been expected, 
 judging from the upward motion of his club, 
 yet this follow through had no reckless 
 abandon about it, the club at the very 
 end of the stroke was still held by masterful 
 hands. 
 
 Even when hitting hard, Tait's head never 
 seemed to move much at the end of his 
 stroke ; the body was, in fact, kept under 
 the same restraint as the club. There was, 
 indeed, a transfer of the weight from the 
 right to the left foot at the end of the swing, 
 and a noticeable final rising on to the toe 
 of the right foot, as if the player were about 
 to step forward ; but as the finish was often 
 made with the left toe in the air, the heel 
 bearing this transferred weight, no real for- 
 ward motion was contemplated. The fine 
 leg and foot work which Tait brought to 
 bear on his driving stroke was augmented by 
 a certain amount of knee action, which was 
 sometimes, but not always, present. 
 
 St. Andrews is indebted to Tait for the 
 way in which he upheld her honour again 
 
 145 K
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and again in the great golfing contests, but 
 he was indebted to her for that part of his 
 game which never failed him, namely, his 
 approach shots. In his full shots there was 
 the flavour of the St. Andrews style, and that 
 was all, for his genius was strong enough to 
 allow him to be unorthodox without fear of 
 failure, but in his approaching he was most 
 typically a son of the classic green. There is 
 no green where the manner of approaching 
 varies so much with the state of the course 
 as at St. Andrews. The course on which 
 Taylor played on in his big match 
 against Kirkcaldy needed entirely different 
 play from the green on which he won the 
 championship so brilliantly shortly afterwards. 
 When Vardon played the best ball of Mr. 
 Balfour Melville and Mr. Laidlay, he saw 
 that it was not a course that could be played 
 in 85 strokes without some skill, yet in the 
 Championship of 1900, though the course was 
 rather longer, he had no difficulty in beat- 
 ing 80. The explanation of this is simple 
 enough, and it is just this, that the course 
 to a long straight driver is three or four shots 
 easier when it is wet than when it is dry. 
 Now the Spring, and also to a less degree 
 the Autumn Meetings at St. Andrews, 
 are held at the time of year when the 
 greens are impossible to pitch on, and 
 hard to putt on. Tait realised that if 
 
 146
 
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 he was to be successful on his home green, 
 he must cultivate a style of approaching 
 which would stand him in good stead, not 
 only when the green was easy, but when the 
 green was hard. He found that the only 
 shot which answered, when the putting greens 
 were hard as paving stones, and the ground 
 resounded when struck, like the ring of a 
 bell, was the short pitch and long run. This 
 shot he played so well, and with so many 
 varieties of pitch and loft, that I cannot help 
 thinking it the most perfect achievement of 
 golfing skill that his genius and science pro- 
 duced. The nature also of the St. Andrews 
 turf when at its hardest in a manner deter- 
 mined the way in which he played these 
 approach shots. No turf was taken, because 
 no turf could be taken, so hard was the lie 
 from which the ball had to be played. This 
 cleanness of hitting the ball, or rather of 
 nipping it up off the hard ground, was 
 noticeable in all Tait's shots, both long and 
 short ; it was the lesson which St. Andrews 
 taught him, and he learned it well, and to his 
 advantage, in many a stroke he played. 
 
 In " The Book of Golf and Golfers," to 
 which everyone who writes on golfing style 
 must be both consciously and unconsciously 
 indebted, Mr. Horace Hutchinson gives two 
 illustrations of the long approach shot as 
 played by Mr. Frank Fairlie and Mr. J. B. 
 
 147 K 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Pease. The pictures are of two quite different 
 sort of shots, but Tait was master of both. 
 The one he used the most probably the one 
 he liked the best was the stroke as shown in 
 the admirable photograph of Mr. Fairlie. 
 Mr. Hutchinson speaks of the shot as almost 
 esoteric, and though he pretends to have been 
 unable to understand Mr. Fairlie's method of 
 playing it, he gives a very good description of 
 the manner of so doing only a few lines later 
 in his sketch. Tait played this shot so well, 
 and with so many varieties of pitch and loft, 
 that in my opinion it was the best shot he had 
 in his bag. Ben Sayers plays the shot (and 
 an excellent illustration of it appears in Mr. 
 Hutchinson's book), Jack White can play it, 
 Park can play it, and any St. Andrews caddie 
 will show how it is done, but the reason which 
 made Tait's playing of it so good sprang from 
 a natural rather than a scientific cause. By 
 his great physical strength he was enabled to 
 play the stroke off the wrists and forearm, 
 without any swing, as far as most men's irons 
 would take them with a three-quarter swing. 
 I trust I do not appear to write in any spirit 
 of controversy ; such were far from my pur- 
 pose and intent, and I do not wish to com- 
 pare Mr. Fairlie's shot unfavourably with 
 Tait's. They were the same in principle but 
 different in degree ; Tait's was the stronger 
 shot, Mr. Fairlie's the prettier. What I wish 
 
 148
 
 RUNNING UP THE LONG PUTT." 
 
 
 
 [Snapshot taken during "72 round," Feb 1894. 
 
 'YOUTH AND OLD AGE."
 
 A Record 
 
 to point out is that Tait was able with a 
 short motion of the club to send the ball 
 farther than Mr. Fairlie could ; to get, in fact, 
 the same distance as Mr. Fairlie with what 
 Andrew Kircaldy would call " a push off the 
 wrists " ; and that is where I think Tait had the 
 advantage. When I say a " push," I do not 
 mean that Tait's shot was what is commonly 
 known as " the push shot." It had, indeed, 
 in it more of the push than Mr. Fairlie's, but 
 it was not the real "push" that Mr. Mure 
 Fergusson plays so well ; it was a shot played 
 with the hands and right forearm. When the 
 shot had to be played low or against wind, the 
 right hand came smartly over just as club met 
 ball, and the hands were kept back, not shot 
 forward as in the push shot. The push shot 
 is said to resemble the forward off-drive at 
 cricket ; this shot of Tait's is best perhaps 
 described by reference to the action of the 
 right hand. This action of the hand when 
 the ball is being struck resembles the motion 
 of the hand and wrist when turning a key in a 
 lock from right to left. 
 
 All cricketers know the meaning of "leg" 
 break and "off" break, all curlers the mean- 
 ing of " elbow in " and " elbow out " ; Tait 
 was able to make the ball break both ways, 
 even at long ranges of 120 or 130 yards, and 
 these shots were often very useful to him. 
 Two shots of his I can remember which, if I 
 
 149
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 could only describe them correctly, would 
 illustrate what I mean, and they were in 
 themselves so well played as to be deserving 
 of special mention. Going to the sixth or 
 heathery hole at St. Andrews, a mound with 
 an almost trench-like grassy hollow beyond it 
 guards the green. The green itself is a table- 
 land, and on the occasion of which I write, the 
 hole was situated on its nearer side. Tait's 
 ball lay some 120 yards from the hole. The 
 wind was a following one and blew also some- 
 what from the left. The hollow was partly 
 full of casual water, so that a purely running 
 shot was out of the question. It was equally 
 impossible to pitch on to the green and not 
 run 30 or 40 yards past the hole, as the green 
 was keen, the hole just over the hollow, and 
 the wind strong. To play the push shot 
 against the bank, which is only about two feet 
 high, it would have been necessary to have 
 allowed a good deal for the cross wind from 
 the left, and the ball would during the latter 
 part of its course, both before and after it 
 pitched, have been at the mercy of the golfers' 
 greatest enemy. Tait played the shot quite 
 straight, counteracting the force of the wind 
 by the upward turn of the right hand, and at 
 the same time by hitting the ball in the 
 centre ; just as the club was beginning to rise, 
 he put the forward spin on it which gave it no 
 chance of refusing to take the hill. This was 
 
 150
 
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 his leg-break shot, most useful in counter- 
 acting wind or slope of ground. The 
 other shot I have spoken of was played 
 at the fourteenth hole at St. Andrews ; 
 it was Tait's third shot. It was played 
 in the course of the Spring Medal Com- 
 petition of 1899. Tait at the time was leading 
 Mr. Laidlay, his keenest rival, by one stroke. 
 There was a north-westerly wind blowing 
 down and across the course, and Tait had 
 played his second shot well out to the left 
 into one of the grassy hollows which lie to 
 the left of " Hell." He had got so far to 
 the left that the pot bunkers at the foot of 
 the plateau-like green were directly between 
 him and the hole ; the green was very keen, 
 and Tait's ball lay on the downward slope 
 of a rather steep hill. The obvious shot to 
 play was the one we have just described. 
 With this shot he could have pulled the ball 
 on to the right-hand corner of the green 
 without crossing the bunkers at all. Two 
 things were in Tait's mind against doing 
 this ; the first was that the hole was not on 
 right-hand corner but in the middle of the 
 green, and the second was that he knew he 
 could get but little pull on his ball, even 
 with the help of the wind, owing to the 
 hanging lie. To play the ball straight for 
 the hole from such a lie it was necessary 
 for him to cut it, but no amount of cut would
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 have enabled him to pitch the ball on to the 
 narrow tableland and yet stop it from going 
 down the slope beyond. The hole was about 
 1 20 yards off, and Tait, taking all risks, 
 picked the ball up almost clean, with but 
 sufficient slice on it to counteract the wind, 
 and drove it hard and low over the bunkers 
 against the face of the green ; the ball struck 
 the face and gave one bound into the air, 
 the life was taken out of it, and it lay dead 
 at the side of the hole. One foot lower or 
 higher and the shot must have been a com- 
 plete failure. The shot was so clearly meant, 
 and the execution so wonderfully carried out, 
 that I shall always regard it as the most skilful 
 stroke I ever saw Freddie play. It is a shot 
 which must rank with Andrew Kirkcaldy's 
 famous approach at the iyth hole in his 
 match with Taylor ; the shots were equal in 
 skill. Kirkcaldy, indeed, was playing for his 
 100, but on the other hand he was com- 
 pelled to play the shot in the way he did, as 
 it was his only chance of getting on to the 
 green where Taylor already lay in the odd ; 
 but Tait played his shot from choice, which 
 showed the extraordinary confidence he had 
 in his own accuracy. 
 
 As my poor description of Tait's shot 
 may give but an inadequate idea of its value, 
 I may support my opinion by quoting Kirk- 
 caldy's comment on the shot the moment 
 
 152
 
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 after it had been made. Turning round to 
 a fellow spectator he remarked, "That man's 
 a perfect deevil." Those who know Andrew 
 will know that this meant praise indeed. 
 
 Tait was the happy possessor of very 
 strong hands and wrists, and many stories 
 are told illustrative of his powers. This 
 extraordinary wrist strength influenced in no 
 small way his method of playing approach 
 shots. The main result of this power was 
 that he cultivated the wrist shot in all his 
 approach play and made it his motto that the 
 more shots he could bring within its range 
 the better. I use the term wrist stroke in 
 its conventional meaning, for except in putt- 
 ing no shot is played entirely "with the 
 wrists." 
 
 Tait played his approach shots almost 
 always with a stiff wrist, hardly ever " swing- 
 ing " his club, and in this particular his style 
 was in marked contrast to that of his great 
 rival Mr. John Ball. Mr. Ball has a unique 
 power of being able to play a "swinging" 
 shot and to stop the iron at any desired point 
 in the upward circle. This shot Tait never 
 used, his wrist power enabling him to effect 
 the same results without introducing any 
 appearance of " swing " into the stroke. It 
 may therefore be said that Tait hardly ever 
 used the half or three-quarter swing at all ; 
 every iron shot was a development of the 
 
 153
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 forearm stroke and his whole approach play 
 a glorification of the so-called " wrist shot." 
 
 I remember Tait once telling me that 
 the part of the game in which he was most 
 fearful of "going off' was his putting, 
 and this statement was the more remark- 
 able in that he was always regarded as 
 almost the best putter of his day. So good 
 was his holing-out that days would pass 
 without a putt of under six feet being 
 missed ; nor was the holing-out process con- 
 fined to this radius, it was carried on also 
 from the longer ranges, though not with the 
 same monotony. Tait putted very much as 
 he drove, as to grip of club and the manner 
 in which he took it back from the ball ; what 
 difference there was lay mainly in his stance. 
 In putting, he stood almost facing the hole, 
 his body bent forward somewhat, as in the 
 position of one about to start running. He 
 putted with a rather lofted cleek, not a so- 
 called " iron putter," or any of its mongrel 
 relations, but just an old fashioned cleek 
 cut short. 
 
 Both in driving and approaching Tait's 
 hands came well through with the club ; he 
 brought the club through " on a piece," head, 
 shaft, and hands all going forward together. 
 In putting this system was exaggerated and 
 very noticeable, so that the hands kept not 
 only level with the club head in point of
 
 A Record 
 
 advancement, but even after the ball was 
 struck continued to go on, leaving the head 
 behind, as in the manner of cricketers when 
 "playing forward" to the ball. In cricket 
 fashion also was his habit of keeping the 
 body well over the ball, so that when the 
 ball was struck his body was leaning forward, 
 and the left elbow was well advanced. This 
 putting method was a peculiar one, peculiar 
 in two points, viz., the advancement of the 
 hands before the head of the club, and the 
 leaning forward of the body. Both these 
 peculiarities were the natural result of the 
 fact that Tait chose to putt with a lofted 
 club. He did so no doubt because he found 
 that the loft on the club gave him greater 
 control over the ball. When hit with a 
 putter the ball seems to race away to success 
 or failure with a lightheartedness, which, 
 should its destiny be unsatisfactory, is most 
 annoying to the striker. With a lofted cleek 
 on the other hand one seems to be able to 
 control the ball right up to the hole. Tait 
 was a fine player with the putter, and when 
 he was induced to visit the Ladies' Course 
 to take part in some family match, he showed 
 himself the equal of all comers with the old 
 weapon of wood. But he found that in 
 practice he could make the cleek the more 
 useful servant, so he retained the latter in 
 his service on most occasions.
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 In putting, as in all golf, one of the most 
 important things is balance, both mental and 
 physical. The great reason of nearly all bad 
 putting is that the body is thrown forward 
 while the ball is being struck, and the balance 
 of the body, so essential to accuracy of hitting, 
 is lost, just at the very moment when it is 
 most required. At first sight Tait seemed as 
 if he would be apt to fall a victim to this vice, 
 and he did indeed practice it in moderation. 
 It was however but seldom harmful to him, 
 for the very good reason that he had an 
 antidote of his own which counterbalanced 
 the probable evil. 
 
 The result of the body movement of which I 
 have spoken is that the ball is pushed outward 
 past the right of the hole ; in fact, " shoving a 
 putt " is nearly always the result of any for- 
 ward movement of the body or transference 
 of weight from the right leg to the left, in the 
 act of striking. Now Tait played to pull his 
 putts into the hole, and this pulling was 
 accentuated by his peculiar grip with the right 
 hand which we have noted in his driving style. 
 In order to counteract this pull he swayed his 
 body very slightly forward, and the result was 
 that the ball went straight, though it generally 
 fell into the hole from the right hand side. It 
 happened on certain rare days that he moved 
 forward too far, and then the putts were missed, 
 and perhaps half-a-crown lost, but this state of 
 
 156
 
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 things did not last long, for Tait knew full well 
 the putting sin which was likely to beset him 
 There was no false pride about him, and when 
 off colour on the greens he was quick to ask 
 for advice, even as he was always ready to 
 give it, with frankness and courtesy. His 
 question was never the ordinary one, " What 
 am I doing wrong ? " It was always " Am I 
 moving my body, or am I not taking the club 
 back straight?" for he knew the game, and 
 knew that on these two points hang all the 
 minor laws of putting philosophy. 
 
 Tait studied his putts very carefully, going 
 down on one knee and looking at the line to 
 the hole from behind the ball, much in the same 
 fashion as that which Vardon adopts. When 
 once standing to the ball he putted quickly 
 and boldly. He did not seem to hit the ball 
 as hard as one would have expected, judging 
 from the fact that he played with so lofted a 
 club, yet he was seldom short, on the contrary, 
 generally past the hole in his approach putts. 
 He carried the ball forward with the stroke as 
 it were, probably by the forward action of the 
 hands which we have mentioned, and also by 
 the over-spin he put on the ball by a slight 
 upward movement of the hands. 
 
 Tait had no great love for score play. 
 Writing in 1898 to his brother in India, he 
 says : "I can't say I care much for the score 
 game," and this was indeed the opinion he 
 
 157
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 always expressed. And in truth he was never 
 quite so great as a score player as one would 
 have expected. This variety of the game 
 did not seem to suit his disposition, his par- 
 ticular temperament did not lend itself to this 
 form of golf. 
 
 The fun for Tait was in beating his oppo- 
 nent, and this enjoyment is denied to the man 
 who plays for or against a score. The winner 
 of a stroke competition only gets the verdict 
 on points, he lacks the satisfaction of giving 
 the knock-out blow. I remember well, after 
 an argument on the merits of score play, 
 during which Freddie had only been a good 
 listener, his getting up and saying, " Why do 
 you talk about the scoring game, there is no 
 more game in scoring than in rifle shooting" ; 
 he then left the room. It was generally thus 
 with him he was not fond of entering into 
 argument, he liked to listen to the views of 
 others, and then, having finally made up his 
 mind on the merits of the case, to give his ver- 
 dict. As far as he was concerned that was the 
 end ; he was not likely to change his view, so he 
 saw no object in discussing the matter further. 
 It was an honest straightforward method, and 
 one that might with advantage be copied by 
 many. It was moreover quite characteristic 
 of him, characteristic of his manner of dealing 
 with things by means of great coups, and of 
 suddenly seeming to determine on some line 
 
 158
 
 A Record 
 
 of action and throwing himself into it boldly, 
 not turning back at all. 
 
 It is often noticeable that when men have 
 reached the position of being great autho- 
 rities on any subject, they try to surround 
 their knowledge with a halo of mystery, and 
 place themselves on sacred ground not to be 
 approached save with uncovered feet. This 
 is what the schoolboy calls " side," and it 
 is "side" just the same, whether it be moral 
 or physical, intellectual or athletic. Tait 
 hated " side " in any shape or form, and, 
 in consequence, his popularity was greatly 
 enhanced. He saw the smallness of it, and 
 how common it was in all forms of sport, and 
 he determined not to belittle himself by 
 indulging therein. Tait was approachable 
 to anyone who wished to ask for advice or 
 to receive instruction, no matter what their 
 golfing qualifications were. He never gave 
 a curt reply even to the golfing bore, and 
 would without a smile answer at times the 
 most ridiculous questions put to him after 
 a match by some admiring spectator. After- 
 wards he might laugh over some particularly 
 crude remark, but at the time there was 
 always that unfailing courtesy to all classes, 
 which is the hall mark of the true sportsman 
 and gentleman. This spirit of courtesy I 
 think he cultivated, for it was more and more 
 pronounced as time went on. He had,
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 indeed, his likes and dislikes, and they were 
 very strong, his disposition being intensely 
 conservative, and his opinions when once 
 formed almost unalterable. On the merits and 
 demerits of golfers and golf courses his views 
 were very pronounced. When once he made 
 up his mind that a certain man was a bad 
 player, no fine score or performance on the 
 part of the unfavoured one would alter Tait's 
 opinion. Freddie would just remark, " He 
 can play none," and this phrase of his became 
 a common expression among his friends. He 
 soon made up his mind as to the qualities 
 of the golfing greens he played on, and having 
 decided that a certain course was good or 
 bad, it made no difference to him whether 
 he played well or badly on it, he stuck to 
 his original opinion. After the Amateur 
 Championship Meeting of 1896, when Tait 
 had been playing perhaps the best golf he 
 ever played, or that has ever been played on 
 any links, I remember asking him if his 
 opinion of Sandwich had altered for the 
 better. "A good one-shot course" was all 
 his answer. He did not think the course a 
 good test of golf, and the fact that he had 
 been successful on it did not alter his opinion 
 one jot. For Tait there was only one first- 
 class course, only one good test of golf; all 
 other links were incapable of being compared 
 with his ideal. Tait was a true and loyal 
 
 160
 
 A Record 
 
 son of St. Andrews, and his love for her links 
 was unbounded. He loved them with a con- 
 stancy which made him almost blind to the 
 charms of other and younger rivals. 
 
 At St. Andrews alone he believed true 
 golf was to be found, all other was but a 
 makeshift for "the real thing." He would 
 argue as to the merits of other courses, but 
 if you started a comparison between any of 
 them and St. Andrews, the argument had 
 to cease, for you had ventured on undebatable 
 ground. Tait was brought up on the St. 
 Andrews green, learned all his golf there, 
 knew every inch of ground, and was there- 
 fore able to appreciate the difficulties and 
 beauties of the course to the fullest degree. 
 
 Next to St. Andrews he considered Hoylake 
 the fairest of greens, and was always of opinion 
 that the Championship should be held alter- 
 nately on these two. In later years the new 
 course at St. Andrews and New Luffness were 
 also prime favourites. 
 
 Tait was intensely Scottish in his golf- 
 ing ideas and principles, and his keenness 
 for Scottish as opposed to English golf he 
 sometimes carried almost too far. There 
 is a certain irony therefore in the fact, that 
 he won his two great Championship triumphs 
 on the two English Championship courses. 
 His well-known patriotism made him doubly 
 popular with Scottish golfers, who always 
 
 161 L
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 followed his exploits with the greatest interest, 
 and his victories with the usual national 
 modes of rejoicing. The defeat of Freddie 
 was a subject which could hardly be spoken 
 of, whilst his triumphs caused almost national 
 jubilation. When in 1898 he won the Amateur 
 Championship at Hoylake, who that was there 
 will forget the rejoicing in the North country 
 camp, the cheering and the toasting, and the 
 congratulations from far and near. Nor were 
 the Saxons far behind, for Tait, though 
 " loved at home," was both loved and revered 
 abroad, and Mr. John Ball, that prince of 
 sportsmen, was keenest of all to do honour 
 to the Scot. 
 
 From a golfing point of view there was 
 much in his game and manner of playing 
 to account for this extraordinary popularity. 
 Tait's style had about it a wonderful attrac- 
 tion for the onlooker. His grip with the right 
 hand, and the curious piston-like drive he 
 gave with the right forearm would not appear 
 likely to lend grace to his manner of hitting. 
 Nor did they ; and I am inclined to think that 
 he was graceful in spite of, rather than because 
 of, his style. There was, however, an inherent 
 grace of movement, an idea of strength com- 
 bined with suppleness about his play that 
 delighted the eye altogether apart from the 
 purely golfing qualities of his style. As a 
 boy Freddie's style was not so graceful, 
 
 162
 
 A Record 
 
 because it was more strained, but as he grew 
 up into his full height and strength, he found 
 that he was able to out-drive his rivals with- 
 out exerting undue power. He abandoned 
 the striving for length, and studied accuracy 
 of hitting, with the result that his six feet of 
 muscle ultimately enabled him to combine 
 the two to a marvellous degree. He was 
 able to hit far, and yet give the impression 
 that he was only exerting about half his real 
 strength. It was this control which he seemed 
 to exercise over himself that perhaps made 
 him so fascinating to watch from the spec- 
 tator's point of view. There was a feeling 
 that this was not all that power unused lay 
 behind everything he did ; there was, it may be, 
 even the hope that it might be called into 
 use before the round was over. Yet no mistake 
 could be greater than the common one of 
 supposing that Tait was a player who was 
 constantly getting into difficulties, and making 
 great " recoveries." His extraordinary physi- 
 cal strength and his knowledge of every shot 
 that is possible in golf, combined with a 
 wonderful power of adapting his swing to the 
 nature of his stance and the lie of the ball, 
 made these recovery-shots possible for him. 
 When, therefore, he found himself in a posi- 
 tion from which ordinary players could only 
 extricate themselves in fear and trembling, 
 he was often able to get the ball away as 
 
 163 L 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 far as from a good lie. This power of re- 
 covery which I have already mentioned must 
 not be regarded as a necessary part of 
 his game, but rather as an extra and out- 
 side factor which he was able to bring to 
 bear in times of need. When playing his 
 best game there were no recovery - shots 
 played, for none were required, and as a rule 
 he was a most accurate player with all his 
 clubs. In his match with Mr. Hilton in the 
 final of the 1896 Championship his driving 
 was as near perfection as it is possible for 
 driving to be ; hardly a yard did he leave 
 the line the whole day ; there were no re- 
 coveries, for none were needed. 
 
 Apart from the beauty of his manner of 
 hitting the ball there was something very 
 pleasant to watch about the light - hearted, 
 confident, yet reserved way in which he 
 acted when engaged in a match. A good 
 golfing temperament is as important as 
 a good golfing style, and Tait was blessed 
 beyond most men in this respect. If 
 the true golfing temperament be fitly de- 
 scribed as a blending of the qualities of the 
 general and the philosopher, Tait possessed 
 this ideal disposition to perfection. He played 
 the game with his head all the time, and, 
 when misfortune overtook him, his philoso- 
 phical turn of mind enabled him to make 
 the most of the possibilities of the case. 
 
 164
 
 A Record 
 
 If the gallery loved Tait, Tait also de- 
 lighted in the gallery, and was always seen 
 at his best when playing with a large follow- 
 ing. Fear, conceit, and self consciousness 
 are the three things which make a man 
 " funk " before a crowd. It wounds the pride 
 of a man to play badly when people are 
 watching him, and in striving to play too 
 well he does not play his natural game, and 
 fails. The moment a player begins to speculate 
 as to what the spectators are thinking of him, 
 he loses the power of concentrating his atten- 
 tion upon his stroke, which is essential to 
 the proper striking of the ball. The con- 
 ceited young player may make a good start 
 before a crowd, but he will get a rude awaken- 
 ing before the match is over ; the modest man 
 will gain confidence as the round proceeds. 
 
 Tait's nature knew nothing of fear, pride, 
 or self consciousness, and for that reason he 
 always played his best when others less gifted 
 would have lost their heads. " Modest " is 
 an epithet which has been applied to Tait's 
 manner in playing so often and by so many 
 writers, that it must undoubtedly express to 
 a great extent a very popular impression. But 
 I do not think that " modest " is a term which 
 really fully expresses his conduct when golf- 
 ing, for there was plenty of light-hearted con- 
 fidence about his style, and he never went 
 out to play a match with the appearance of 
 
 165
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 one who thought there was any likelihood of 
 defeat. His manner strikes me as being 
 better expressed by the word natural. Every- 
 thing he did was done without any striving 
 after effect ; he took his successes as if he 
 expected them and his bad luck as part of 
 the chances of the game. 
 
 I have said something of Tait's manner 
 and method of play ; it may well be asked 
 from what sources these were derived. The 
 question as regards the former is easily 
 answered. Tait was a true child of the older 
 school of golf, and he never departed from 
 what was best in the traditions of the past. 
 He was an old-fashioned golfer, and took a 
 pride in the fact that he had never been led 
 away from the views and sentiments of his 
 golfing forefathers. He played the game as 
 a Scottish gentleman, with dignity and strict- 
 ness, tempered with unfailing courtesy. The 
 match was the thing for him, and a congenial 
 foursome gave him the greatest enjoyment of 
 all. One of the oldest members of the Royal 
 and Ancient Club, the Hon. George Lascelles, 
 writing of Tait's golf at York, says- 
 Lieutenant Tait carried with him the best tradi- 
 tions and customs of the game as played from time 
 immemorial at St. Andrews, and held himself 
 entirely aloof from the pot-hunting fraternity that 
 has sprung up in later days. When quartered at 
 York he could of course, being Champion, have 
 
 166
 
 A Record 
 
 easily mopped up all the pots and pans in Yorkshire. 
 The mess table of the Black Watch might have 
 fairly groaned under the amount of plate or plated 
 he could have realised. He seemed always to 
 prefer a quiet foursome with personal friends, 
 though frequently pressed to take the shine out 
 of the "pro" or to lower the flag of the scratch 
 man of the club. 
 
 Tait was always in sympathy with the old 
 things in golf, and hated every form of inno- 
 vation ; he drew his inspiration from bygone 
 sources, and made even the dry bones of the 
 past live again in himself. 
 
 When we come to ask the question, from 
 what player or players did Tait derive his 
 golfing style of play and methods of exe- 
 cution we find the answer more difficult to 
 give. I do not think he copied anyone, but 
 rather built up his own style independently of 
 others. He was no doubt influenced in his 
 choice of methods by the many good players 
 he played with when a boy, but it cannot be 
 said that he imitated any of them ; nor was it 
 to be expected from Tait's character that he 
 would be easily influenced by the style of 
 other golfers. He was extremely independent 
 and thought out things for himself, and when 
 he had made up his mind he stuck to his own 
 plan most tenaciously. I remember, when 
 Vardon's extraordinary play was popularising 
 that manner of holding the club which had for 
 
 167
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 years been familiar to all who had watched 
 Mr. Laidlay play, that someone made the 
 remark to Tait, " Have you tried the * Vardon 
 grip'?" He made no reply, but a look 
 of intense contempt came into his face, 
 which said more plainly than words, " Do you 
 mean to think that, after working out the 
 way that suits me best for the last twenty 
 years, I am going to try another plan just 
 because it suits somebody else ? " No, Tait 
 was no imitator, yet all his methods were 
 more or less governed and influenced by the 
 St. Andrews environment in which his style 
 grew. 
 
 Writing from India of Freddie's earlier 
 golf, his brother, Mr. J. G. Tait, says : 
 
 The earliest thing I remember about Freddie's 
 golf is the difficulty I had in persuading him to 
 hold a golf club right hand undermost. Some few 
 years ago he told Mrs. Everard that he was deeply 
 indebted to me for licking him till he held his hands 
 the right way. I think this must have been said 
 in jest, however, for I have no recollection of the 
 licking. ... I can never forget one afternoon 
 I took Freddie out to play against a Wimbledon 
 man, P. Strickland, who had come to St. Andrews. 
 I think it was during Freddie's first year at Sed- 
 bergh. He was so happy at being taken out to 
 play. He felt no doubt, just as I felt when the 
 Rev. J. G. McPherson took me to play against 
 the Professor one afternoon in 1872 or 1873. . . . 
 In the family foursome one day Willie drove a ball 
 
 168
 
 A Record 
 
 to square leg into the middle of the Ladies' Links. 
 The Ladies' Links was crowded at the time, and 
 Freddie, who was just beginning to be proud of 
 his golf, was with difficulty persuaded to go in and 
 play the ball ; you may fancy the shamefaced way 
 he went in and came out. Towards the end of 
 his time at Sedbergh I remember distinctly many 
 foursomes with Mr. Lindsay Bennet and Mr. Frean. 
 Freddie was a wonderful foursome player for a boy. 
 He had a perfectly unruffled temper, and he played 
 a very steady accurate game. 
 
 Another reminiscence of that time is the delight 
 he took in manifestations of character. He had 
 been playing as Lindsay Bennet's partner with 
 some fidgety player on the other side. This 
 fidgety gentleman had requested Bennet (who was 
 the pink of propriety in golfing etiquette) to stand 
 further away on the first green, or stand where he 
 could not be seen. For the rest of the round 
 Bennet kept Freddie under his wing at an immense 
 distance away, and relieved his feelings by saying 
 to Freddie, " Look at the fykie body." I remember 
 as if it were yesterday Freddie telling me about it, 
 and asking what " fykie " meant. I was not at 
 St. Andrews after September 1887, and so I have 
 no reminiscences of his golf after that time except 
 a few matches at Wimbledon. I remember how we 
 spent Jubilee Day of 1887 together, and the mar- 
 vellous quickness with which he inserted his foot 
 and prevented the platform gate being shut at 
 Charing Cross. He was then " cramming " at 
 Blackheath, and he had to catch the last train. 
 It is hardly necessary to say that we sent the porter 
 who was trying to shut the gate, flying, and that 
 Freddie caught his train. Up to 1889, when I last 
 
 169
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 saw him play, he gave no promise of the immense 
 driving power that he soon afterwards showed, but 
 he was very straight, and in approaching and putt- 
 ing very accurate. 
 
 These reminiscences, though interesting 
 in themselves, do not indicate directly the 
 origin of Tait's golfing style. We can, how- 
 ever, note in what Mr. J. G. Tait writes the 
 interest and watchful care which the elder 
 brother bestowed on the younger. I have 
 therefore little doubt that Freddie's style 
 was formed originally on that of his elder 
 brother. 
 
 Before he went to India, and while 
 Freddie's golf was still in the embryo stage, 
 Mr. Jack Tait was a very fine golfer good 
 enough indeed to reach the semi-final round 
 in the Amateur Championship at Hoylake 
 in 1887. He was the natural instructor of 
 his younger brothers, and as a golfing hero, 
 not only his methods but also his mannerisms 
 were likely to be copied. After his brother's 
 death he returned from India for a short 
 visit to Scotland. 
 
 I cannot remember ever having seen 
 Mr. J. G. Tait before he went to India, 
 but the first shot I saw him make at St. 
 Andrews in the spring of 1900 brought back, 
 almost too realistically, the memory of his 
 brother's golf. Freddie's style was neater, 
 more finished, more polished, than Jack's, 
 
 170
 
 A Record 
 
 but under the differences of detail there lay 
 the same manner of hitting the ball, the same 
 conception of the game. 
 
 To one other golfer alone can I trace any 
 real resemblance of style, and I think that 
 Tait must have probably been unconsciously 
 much influenced by him ; I refer to Mr. 
 Leslie Balfour Melville. The finish of 
 the two players in driving was almost 
 identical, the only difference being that 
 Mr. Balfour Melville finished with his 
 hands rather higher ; everything else was 
 almost the same. In addressing the ball, 
 notwithstanding the great difference of stance, 
 there was a very marked resemblance in 
 manner. Both addressed the ball with great 
 care, both were excessively particular to have 
 every point in stance and grip and position 
 of club exactly adjusted ; nothing seemed left 
 to chance. The whole was moreover carried 
 out very quietly, very smoothly ; there was no 
 snapping at the ball. Tait also resembled 
 Mr. Balfour Melville, in contradiction to the 
 usual St. Andrews style, in that he did not 
 play with the very slack wrist that is so 
 characteristic of the Fifeshire players. One 
 has but to contrast the address and finish of 
 Sandy Herd, or Mr. Greig, or Mr. Robb, with 
 the quieter manner of Tait and Mr. Balfour 
 Melville, and it will be seen at once that there 
 is a slackness about the former which is lacking 
 
 171
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 in the latter players. Tait never seemed to let 
 his club "go," but held it and almost guided 
 it right to the end of the stroke. Whether 
 or not I am right as to the influence of 
 Mr. Balfour Melville on Tait's style I cannot 
 dogmatically say, but there were certainly 
 present in their styles many points of similarity. 
 It is not easy to fix Tait's place among 
 the great golfers of the past and present 
 without using the odious method of compari- 
 son. His great personal popularity will, how- 
 ever, I feel sure, disarm any criticism which 
 might be hostile to the opinion that I hold, 
 namely, that he was, taking him all in all, 
 inferior to no player, amateur or professional, 
 of this or any previous generation. He com- 
 bined extraordinary power with great accuracy, 
 a combination seldom met with. His power 
 was, moreover, unstrained, and therefore not 
 likely to break down, as in the case of so many 
 long drivers who are playing all the time far 
 above concert pitch. And his accuracy was 
 not merely the careful hitting of the ball 
 time after time in exactly the same way, 
 it was rather the fulness of golfing skill applied 
 through many methods to produce the best 
 possible results. There was none of the 
 monotony about his shots that is characteristic 
 of modern professional golf; every shot was 
 played in a different way, each circumstance 
 of lie, wind, or stance overcome with meaning. 
 
 172
 
 A Record 
 
 I never saw Tait play a foolish shot, hardly 
 ever a stroke that showed bad judgment. 
 Though his judgment was almost invariably 
 to be relied upon, yet in foursome play he was 
 the most diffident of players. He always fol- 
 lowed out the old Scottish custom of con- 
 sulting with his partner about the way in 
 which each shot should be played, and no one 
 understood better than he the value of playing 
 " to the score " rather than for the shot. 
 
 It is difficult to compare Tait as a golfer 
 with professional players, for he was so 
 thoroughly an amateur, playing first and fore- 
 most for the fun of the thing, that even in the 
 great competitions he took no trouble to train 
 or practice before the events. It was indeed 
 often impossible for him to get practice before 
 starting for a championship, as he sometimes 
 was only able to get leave a day or two before 
 the event. In these latter days, when golf 
 has been brought to such a pitch of perfection, 
 mainly, I think, by the lucrativeness of the 
 golfing profession, continual practice and train- 
 ing are essential if a man is to compete on 
 equal terms with those, whether amateur or 
 professional, who make golf their business. 
 
 Tait never won the Open Championship, 
 but neither indeed have Herd or Holland, 
 and yet they were the acknowledged cham- 
 pions of their great "years." Tait's play was 
 never mechanical enough to suit four rounds 
 
 173
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 of paper and pencil work, and the match was 
 the game for him. Who that has ever played 
 with him can forget the feeling that he 
 was fencing with a man who would suddenly 
 deliver a thrust which no skill could parry ? 
 
 Who that has ever seen him play will 
 doubt that his genius was unique, his power 
 incapable of being gauged to the full ? 
 
 A man may be a fine player but a bad 
 golfer ; even as well-born men are not always 
 gentlemen, or great theologians good parsons. 
 A golfer, in the fullest sense of the word, is a 
 man in the first place, and a player in the 
 second ; Freddie was this true golfer. If he 
 has done nothing else for modern golf, he has 
 at least shown the true spirit in which the 
 game should be played, he has exemplified 
 the principles of what is best in Scottish sport 
 by his own practice. 
 
 174
 
 A Record 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SOUTH AFRICA. 
 
 TT is not my purpose in this chapter to 
 1 attempt to give even a sketch of the 
 events connected with the doings of the 
 Highland Brigade in South Africa, with whom 
 Tait fought and fell. The story of every 
 march and every action has been already 
 told, and will no doubt be told again and 
 again. South African sketches have been 
 drawn from every point of view. No aspect 
 of the war, whether military, political, finan- 
 cial, or racial, has been left undepicted ; and 
 though time may have to elapse before the 
 great final picture is painted, there exist 
 already abundance of excellent cartoons. My 
 object is simply to give to his friends such 
 news of Tait, from the time he left this 
 country till his sad death at Koodoosberg, 
 as I have been able to collect from letters 
 sent home from time to time, and from his 
 short Diary, which is fortunately preserved.
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 In order that the reader may follow with 
 ease Tait's movements, and place his letters 
 in their proper chronological connection, I 
 publish his Diary first. It is given just as 
 he wrote it, as his usual methodical custom 
 was, from day to day, and never allowing a 
 day to pass without making an entry. 
 
 OCTOBER, 1899. 
 
 Wednesday, 18. Shot with Munro. St. Fillans 
 to Glasgow. Received wire to rejoin regiment for 
 service abroad. Travelled to Glasgow. 
 
 Thursday, 19. Glasgow to Edinburgh. Paid a 
 few calls and said good-bye. Edinburgh to Lon- 
 don, 10.50 p.m. Seen off by R. H. J., A. R. P., 
 
 A. G. T., H. J. S., G. H. L., Turnbull, E. S. 
 
 B. M.* 
 
 Friday, 20. London to Aldershot. Spent the 
 whole day in getting kit. 
 
 Saturday, 21. Aldershot. Completed my kit. 
 
 Sunday, 22. Aldershot to Tilbury. 950 men, 
 29 officers, 2nd Black Watch. Too foggy to start 
 for South Africa. S.S. Orient. 
 
 Monday, 23. Spent whole day in Tilbury Docks ; 
 unable to proceed on account of fog. 
 
 Tuesday, 24. Left Tilbury en route for South 
 Africa about 12.30 p.m. on board S.S. Orient. 
 
 Wednesday, 25. Beautiful day on board the 
 Orient. Drilled officers' squad. 
 
 * Mr. R. H. Johnston, Mr. A. R. Paterson, Mr. A. G. Tait, 
 Mr. H. J. Stevenson, Mr. G. H. Law, and Mr E. S. Balfour 
 Melville, are the friends referred to. 
 
 176
 
 A Record 
 
 Thursday, 26. Another grand day. In the Bay 
 of Biscay ; quite smooth. Drilled officers' squad. 
 
 Friday, 27. Splendid day; weather beginning 
 to get hot. Drilled officers' squad. 
 
 Saturday, 28. Another beautiful day. Got in- 
 oculated about 10 o'clock a.m. for enteric fever ; 
 felt very ill until about 7 a.m. next morning. 
 
 Sunday, 29. Beautiful day. Not very fit. 
 
 Monday, 30. Splendid day. Feeling better. 
 Revolver practice. 
 
 Tuesday, 31. Quite fit. Grand day. Revolver 
 practice and cricket. 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1899. 
 
 Wednesday, i. Arrived at St. Vincent and 
 coaled. Splendid day. Left St. Vincent at 6 p.m. 
 Heard news from Transvaal at St. Vincent. 
 Splendid send off from H.M.S. Diadem. 
 
 Thursday, 2. Jolly day; lots of wind. 
 
 Friday, 3. Fine day, with one heavy shower in 
 morning, about 10.15 a ' m ' 
 
 Saturday, 4. Funeral of a drummer. 
 
 Sunday, 5. Beautiful day. Crossed the Equator. 
 
 Monday, 6. Beautiful day. More wind. 
 
 Tuesday, 7. Beautiful day. Windy. Cricket. 
 
 Wednesday, 8. Beautiful day. Windy. Cricket. 
 
 Thursday, 9. Beautiful day. Less wind. Cricket. 
 Concert and supper given by officers of Orient great 
 success. 
 
 Friday, 10. Strong wind, water washing over 
 bows. Some officers retired from dinner ! ! ! 
 
 Saturday, n. Still rough. F. G. T. very fit. 
 
 Sunday, 12. Sea rough, but splendid day. 
 Passed two steamers a long way off. 
 
 177 M
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Monday, 13. Arrived at Cape Town and an- 
 chored outside harbour. Very windy. 
 
 Tuesday, 14. Disembarked and left Cape Town 
 about 10 p.m. for De Aar Junction. 
 
 Wednesday, 15. Breakfast at Worcester, 109 
 miles from Cape Town ; very pretty country and 
 steep gradient all the way. Lunched at Matjes- 
 fontein. Dined at Prince Albert's Road. 
 
 Thursday, 16. Breakfast at Victoria West. 
 Passed detachments of the H.L.I, all the way to 
 Richmond Road. Arrived at De Aar about 3 p.m. 
 Encamped half a mile from railway. Very dusty 
 all night. 
 
 Friday, 17. Pickets out all round. Boers sup- 
 posed to be near. Beautiful day, jolly hot. On 
 picket from 5.30 p.m. to 6 a.m. No Boers. 
 
 Saturday, 18. Right half Battalion went off to 
 Naauwport ; left half remained at De Aar. Bridge 
 blown up by Boers outside Naauwport just after 
 right half got in. Met Heatlie at De Aar and 
 dined with him. 
 
 Sunday, 19. De Aar ; awfully hot, 93 in shade. 
 Called on Mr. and Mrs. Heatlie. gist and yist 
 arrived. Suffered a good deal from scorched knees. 
 Thunder and dust storm at night, also lots of rain. 
 Stampede of six mules. 
 
 Monday, 20. Quiet day in camp ; two parades. 
 78th arrived. 
 
 Tuesday, 21. De Aar. Warned to hold our- 
 selves in readiness to proceed to Naauwport. 
 
 Wednesday, 22. Reveille at 3 a.m. Left De Aar 
 about 7 a.m., arrived at Naauwport about 12 noon, 
 and joined right half Battalion. Splendid camp 
 and plenty of water. Had some "pop" for 
 dinner ! ! 
 
 178
 
 A Record 
 
 Thursday, 23. Mounted Infantry and C Com- 
 pany Black Watch came in touch with enemy 
 at Arundel. Three of our scouts wounded. 
 
 Friday, 24. Went on out-post duty at 4 a.m. 
 Very wet from 8 a.m. to 12 noon ; cold night. Saw 
 nothing of enemy. 
 
 Saturday, 25. Relieved at 4 a.m. Splendid day. 
 Arrival of I2th Lancers. 150 Mounted Infantry in 
 touch with Boers at Arundel. 
 
 Sunday, 26. Naauwport ; beautiful day. Church 
 parade and short service at 9 a.m. 
 
 Monday, 27. Reveille at 2 a.m. ; left Naauwport 
 with left half Battalion and arrived at Orange River 
 about 4 p.m. Met Wolfe Murray and Percy 
 Grant. 
 
 Tuesday, 28. H Company parade at 4.30 a.m. 
 and relieved a company of H.L.I, on Munster 
 Fort, guarding bridge over Orange River. Very 
 hot ; on picket from 4.30 p.m. to 5 a.m. 
 
 Wednesday, 29. Very hot again. Bathing 
 parade in morning. 
 
 Thursday, 30. Hot, and very windy; clouds of 
 dust everywhere. Mounted Infantry report Boers 
 in force about ten miles off, towards Hope Town. 
 
 DECEMBER 1899. 
 
 Friday, i. Very hot. Bathed in Orange River 
 in morning. Relieved by company of Seaforths 
 about 10 p.m. Bivouacked for night, tents having 
 been returned to store. 
 
 Saturday, 2. Left half Battalion marched from 
 Orange River to Witteput and on to Fincham 
 Farm, 13 miles. Very hot and dusty. Bivouacked 
 at farm. 
 
 179 M 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Sunday, 3. Very hot. Left half Battalion 
 marched from Fincham Farm to Belmont Farm, 
 starting at 4.30 a.m., rested under trees till 5.30 p.m., 
 then marched to Belmont Station and bivouacked. 
 Very pleasant day at Belmont Farm, ten miles. 
 
 Monday, 4. Left half Battalion marched from 
 Belmont Station to Enslin Station, 13 miles ; bad 
 road. Bivouacked there ; cold night. 
 
 Tuesday, 5. Hot. Left half Battalion marched 
 from Enslin to Honeynest Kloof Station, five miles ; 
 dinner, water, etc. Remained night in bivouac. A 
 Squadron of I2th Lancers arrived. Saw effects of 
 Boer looting. 
 
 Wednesday, 6. Left half Battalion marched to 
 Modder River and one mile beyond, and joined 
 right half Battalion. Jolly day. Bathed in river; 
 14 miles whole march, 55 miles. 
 
 Thursday, 7. Enemy attacked Enslin. Whole 
 day at Modder River with 350 men, building re- 
 doubts and shelter trenches. Very hot all day ; 
 men worked very well. Lightning, thunder, and 
 heavy rain at night ; very comfortable. 
 
 Friday, 8. Modder River ; outpost duty from 
 5.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saw nothing of enemy. Not 
 nearly so warm. 
 
 Saturday, g. Naval gun in position, fired a few 
 shots at enemy's outposts with effect. Arrival of 
 more guns and stores. 
 
 Sunday, 10. Forward movement. Highland 
 Brigade, K.O. Y.L.I., gth Lancers, Howitzer Bat- 
 tery, two Field Batteries, one Battery R.H.A., 
 Balloon Section R.E., I2th Lancers, marched off 
 at 3 p.m., began shelling Boer position at 5 p.m., 
 stopped at 7. Black Watch advanced about one 
 mile. Battle of Magersfontein. 
 
 1 80
 
 A Record 
 
 Monday, n. Parade at 12.30 a.m. for night 
 attack. Received tremendous fire in mass of quarter 
 column at 4 a.m. ; suffered great loss. Charged to 
 within 200 yards of Boer position. F. G. T. hit in 
 thigh, and remained, being shot at all day, until 
 7 p.m. at night. Reached hospital at 10 p.m. and 
 got wound dressed. 355 killed and wounded in the 
 Black Watch ; seven officers killed and eleven 
 officers wounded. 
 
 Tuesday, 12. Arrived at M odder River, spent 
 day there in hospital. Put on board hospital train 
 en route for Wynberg ; very comfortable. 
 
 Wednesday, 13. Hospital train all day; passed 
 through Orange River, De Aar, etc. 
 
 Thursday, 14. Arrived at Wynberg, very com- 
 fortable hospital ; wound redressed. 
 
 Friday, 15. Hospital. Quiet day, writing 
 letters. Poor Berthon died at 8 p.m. 
 
 Saturday, 16. Hospital at Wynberg. Quiet day. 
 Berthon buried. 
 
 Sunday, 17. Quiet day in hospital at Wynberg. 
 
 Monday, 18. Hospital at Wynberg. 
 
 Tuesday, 19. Hospital, Wynberg ; received 
 Scotsman of i6th and I7th November, also Golf, 
 1 7th November. 
 
 Wednesday, 20. Moved to Claremont Sana- 
 torium. 
 
 Thursday, 21. Claremont. 
 
 Friday, 22. Claremont. 
 
 Saturday, 23. Claremont. 
 
 Sunday, 24. Claremont. Drove to Wynberg 
 Hospital. 
 
 Monday, 25. Claremont. Visited Rhodes' house 
 and saw the lions. 
 
 Tuesday, 26. Claremont. 
 
 181
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Wednesday, 27. Claremont. Arrival of wounded 
 officers from Natal. 
 
 Thursday, 28. Claremont. Visited Rondebosch 
 golf links. 
 
 Friday, 29. Claremont. Went to Cape Town 
 and visited dentist. 
 
 Saturday, 30. Claremont. Visited Wynberg 
 Hospital. Dined with Mr. Michell (manager of 
 Standard Bank). 
 
 Sunday, 31. Train to Simon's Bay; went on 
 board H.M.S. Niobe. Lunched, dined, brought in 
 New Year, and stayed the night. Great fun ; pipes 
 in great form. 
 
 JANUARY, 1900. 
 
 Saw the New Year in on board H.M.S. Niobe, 
 a very cheery evening. Left Simon's Bay about 
 8.30 a.m. Cleared for action and dropped a target 
 overboard. The shooting of 6-inch guns was very 
 fine. 
 
 Monday, i. Arrived in Table Bay about 3.15 p.m. 
 and anchored. Returned to Claremont about 6 p.m. 
 
 Tuesday, 2. Visited Newland's Cricket Ground 
 in afternoon and saw finish of Cape Town r. 
 Western Provinces. 
 
 Wednesday, 3. Went into Cape Town with the 
 " Long Un " and spent some happy hours at the 
 dentist's. 
 
 Thursday, 4. Visited dentist and saw some 
 wounded officers on board the transport Canada 
 for England. Cricket match, Bar v. Navy, at 
 Newlands. Dinner at Sanatorium. 
 
 Friday, 5. Dentist, 10 to 12.30 ; finished, thank 
 goodness. Entertained a few officers of Niobe to 
 dinner at club. 
 
 182
 
 A Record 
 
 Saturday, 6. Dined and slept on board H.M.S. 
 Niobe. Very rough sea in Table Bay. 
 
 Sunday, 7. Pleasant day on board Niobe. 
 
 Monday, 8. Left Niobe at 9.15 a.m. and returned 
 to Claremont. Dined with Innes at Mount Nelson 
 Hotel and stayed night. 
 
 Tuesday, 9. Visited docks, saw the Majestic. 
 Wolfe Murray and Innes and Knight dined with 
 me at club. Returned to Claremont in evening. 
 
 Wednesday, 10. Dined at club with Wemyss, 
 and left Cape Town for Modder at 9 p.m. with 
 " Long Un " and Knight of H.L.I. 
 
 Thursday, n. Day in train. Passed Heatlie on 
 his way South. Played piquet with " Long 'Un." 
 F. G. T.'s birthday. 
 
 Friday, 12. Arrived at Modder River about 
 7 p.m. 
 
 Saturday, 13. Quiet day at Modder. Visited 
 outposts and Ramsay's grave. 
 
 Sunday, 14. Open-air service. Lord M. present. 
 Visited T. M. B. in outpost line. 
 
 Monday, 15. Quiet day. Visited 75th Field 
 Battery. 
 
 Tuesday, 16. Went on outpost at 3.15 a.m. 
 Very hot all day. Reconnaissance in force on Boer 
 position. 
 
 Wednesday, 17. Arrival of large box full of pre- 
 sents for officers and men. Came off picket at 6 a.m. 
 Reconnaissance in force on Boer position. No 
 casualties on our side. 
 
 Thursday, 18. Went on picket at 6 p.m. 
 Urmston visited my picket. Swarm of locusts. 
 
 Friday, 19. Came off picket at 6 a.m. Went 
 round part of the outposts with Urmston. Saw 
 Boer position very clearly through strong telescope. 
 
 183
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Saturday, 20. Very hot in the morning, and two 
 very heavy thunder storms about 12 noon and 
 5.15 p.m. Frightful dust storm before the rain. 
 
 Sunday, 21. Went on picket at 3.15 a.m., cool 
 up to ii a.m., after that hot. 
 
 Monday, 22. Came off picket at 6 a.m. Court 
 Martial from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artillery duel. 
 
 Tuesday, 23. Brigade route march. Very hot 
 day. Football match, Black Watch v. I2th Lancers. 
 B. W. won by I goal. General MacDonald arrived. 
 
 Wednesday, 24. Went on picket at 3.15 a.m. 
 Dust storm all day and rain at night. 
 
 Thursday, 25. Came off picket at 6 a.m. Walk 
 with Wolfe Murray in evening. 
 
 Friday, 26. Went on picket at 6 p.m. 
 
 Saturday, 27. Came off picket at 6 a.m. 
 Walked with Urmston in afternoon. 
 
 Sunday, 28. Morning service at 7 a.m. Visited 
 outpost line and 4*7 guns with Urmston, Yorstoun, 
 and Berkeley. Wolfe Murray and Begbie dined 
 with me. 
 
 Monday, 29. Went on picket at 3.15 a.m. Got 
 very wet about 12 noon. Very heavy rain and 
 strong wind. Dust storm afternoon, and more rain 
 at night. 
 
 Tuesday, 30. Seaforth : Came off picket at 6 a.m. 
 Inspected by MacDonald at 7 a.m. Stewart dined 
 with me. 
 
 Wednesday, 31. Went on picket at 6 p.m. 
 
 FEBRUARY, 1900. 
 
 Thursday, i. Came off picket at 6 a.m. Arrival 
 of more troops. Saw boxing competitions in even- 
 ing. Begbie, R.A., dined with me. 
 
 184
 
 A Record 
 
 Friday, 2. Saw final and semi-final boxing. 
 
 Saturday, 3. Highland Brigade and one Cavalry 
 Regiment and one Horse Battery moved eight miles 
 down stream from Modder Station. F. G. T. on 
 picket, very hot. Frazer's Drift. 
 
 Sunday, 4. Frazer's Drift to Koodoosberg, 
 13^ miles. H Company with rear guard, frightfully 
 trying march, very hot, and did not arrive till 
 3.15 a.m. F. G. T. and most of company rather 
 beat. 
 
 Monday, 5. Changed camp to north side of 
 river. 1,000 Boers made demonstration against 
 H.L.I, picket. H Company on picket from 
 8.30 p.m. 
 
 Tuesday, 6. Cavalry patrol retired before 500 
 Boers. Boers made another slight attack. 
 
 Wednesday, 7. Boers made determined attack 
 on outpost line. 
 
 The last entry recorded in this Diary was 
 therefore made on the day of his death. 
 
 Tait started for South Africa full of hope 
 and good spirits, his one fear indeed seem- 
 ingly being that his regiment would not 
 arrive in time to see some real hard service. 
 Writing from Aldershot, on the eve of starting 
 for Tilbury, he expresses this fear. 
 
 Aldershot, 
 
 21 October, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 Just a line to let you know that I have got 
 my kit and everything complete. I am afraid there
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 will not be much for us to do when we get out. 
 The Boers learnt a little yesterday. We have got 
 a splendid lot of men, and they will be very useful 
 if they get a chance. 
 
 Good-bye and good luck, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 After a week of fine weather, Tait writes 
 home again just before reaching St. Vincent, 
 where the Orient stopped to coal. He was 
 still evidently taking the light-hearted view 
 of the war which was prevalent before he left 
 home. Little did he know, as he wrote the 
 following letter, that on that very day the 
 disaster at Nicholson's Nek was taking place. 
 
 S.S. Orient, 
 
 30 October, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We have had a splendid voyage up to now ; 
 grand weather all the time. The accommodation 
 and grub are excellent, and we are all in the best of 
 form. We practice daily at a target, slung over 
 the side of the ship from a boom, with revolvers 
 My Mauser pistol is a great success. We will reach 
 St. Vincent to-morrow night (Tuesday) or Wed- 
 nesday morning. Our next stop after that will be 
 Cape Town. I was inoculated for enteric fever on 
 Saturday, and felt rather sorry for myself on 
 Saturday and Sunday ; but now I am all right 
 again. We played a cricket match to-day against 
 the officers of the S.S. Orient and the officers of 
 the Mounted Infantry (we have about 300 men and 
 
 186
 
 A Record 
 
 about 20 officers of the Mounted Infantry on board), 
 and beat them. 
 
 We have a " sweep " every day on the number 
 of miles run by the ship during the 24 hours. Up 
 to now I have not won one. 
 
 I instruct the officers every day in physical drill 
 and other gymnastic exercises ; naturally we are all 
 very fit. It is beginning to get a bit hot. We are 
 all anxiously awaiting news from the Transvaal 
 at St. Vincent. 
 
 Hope you are all very fit, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 P.S. I hope the show will not be all over before 
 we get there. The poor Gordons got it fairly hot. 
 
 F. G. T. 
 
 Just before reaching Cape Town he de- 
 scribes the latter part of his voyage in the 
 two following letters 
 
 S.S. Orient, 
 ii November, 1899, 
 600 miles from Cape Town. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We are now having some rough weather, and 
 the sea is coming on board pretty freely. I am 
 still enjoying my grub, which is a good sign. A 
 lot of officers and men have already succumbed 
 to sea sickness. We expect to reach the Cape on 
 Monday the isth, where we will get our orders. 
 We heard very bad news at St. Vincent from 
 Natal. I hope Sir George White has been able 
 to hold his own. 
 
 We expect to go straight up the middle of the 
 Orange Free State with a Division (10,000) on each 
 
 187
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 flank. Our Division consists of a Highland Brigade 
 and a Light Infantry Brigade. The Highland 
 Brigade consists of the Black Watch, Argyle 
 and Sutherland Highlanders, Seaforth Highlanders, 
 and Highland Light Infantry, under Major-General 
 Wauchope. We got a magnificent send off at 
 St. Vincent from H.M.S. Diadem. The sailors' 
 cheering was very fine. 
 
 I should like to have my Christmas dinner at 
 Pretoria, but I don't expect we shall get there 
 until well on in February at the soonest. I forgot 
 to tell you to spend 15 (fifteen pounds) on some 
 silver thing, and send the account to Harry Hart, 
 Esq., Hon. Secretary, Prestwick Golf Club, Prest- 
 wick. Get anything you like, and have " Amateur 
 Championship, 1899," P u t oru 
 
 The officers of the ship gave us a very fine 
 concert and a supper the other night. I shall 
 post this in Cape Town on Monday. I hope you 
 are all very fit. 
 
 Give old " Nails " a kidney or two from me. 
 Best love to all, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 P.S. Address letters, 
 
 The Black Watch, 
 
 South African Field Force, 
 
 South Africa. 
 
 13 November, 1899. 
 
 We hope to arrive at Cape Town this afternoon 
 about 6 p.m. We have had it very rough last 
 two days. I am still eating a good dinner and a 
 splendid breakfast. 
 
 188
 
 A Record 
 
 I enclose programme of concert and menu for 
 book. This letter has to be posted at i p.m., 
 and as it is nearly lunch time (12.30 p.m.), I 
 must stop. 
 
 All the old lot are with us Colonel Coode ; 
 Majors Duff, Maxwell, Berkeley, Cuthbertson ; 
 Captains Bruce, Elton, Eykyn, Macfarlan, Stewart ; 
 Lieutenants Cameron, Hamilton, Tait, Harvey 
 (John), Harvey (St. John, ist Batt.), Ramsay, 
 Edwards, Wauchope, etc. ; 29 officers and 950 men. 
 
 The young officers that have joined lately are 
 a capital lot. 
 
 I have an excellent fellow of the name of Innes 
 in my company. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 S.S. Orient, 
 
 13 November, 1899, 
 
 About 70 miles N.N.W. of 
 
 Cape Town. 
 Dear Uncle John, 
 
 Many thanks for cheque. We have had a 
 most excellent and cheery voyage. The last two 
 days have been rough, but I have enjoyed them 
 immensely. 
 
 We expect to get to Cape Town at 6 p.m. 
 to-night. We may have to land there, or we may 
 have to go on to Port Elizabeth. I hope Sir 
 George White has not lost any more regiments. 
 We got a magnificent send off from St. Vincent 
 by the officers and crew of H.M.S. Diadem, We 
 heard there that two regiments had capitulated, 
 and that Sir George White had wired to the Queen, 
 
 189
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and also that he (Sir G. W.) was practically sur- 
 rounded. * * * * We shall hear everything in 
 five hours or so. 
 
 I shall write to you as soon as Kruger has 
 carried my clubs round Pretoria Links. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Tait arrived at Cape Town on Novem- 
 ber 1 3th, and left the following evening for 
 De Aar Junction. Writing en route, he 
 mentions his first impressions of South 
 Africa. 
 
 On the train after leaving 
 Matjesfontein, 
 
 15 November, 1899. 
 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We arrived at Cape Town on Monday and 
 anchored outside the harbour. On Tuesday we 
 went into harbour and disembarked. We left Cape 
 Town last night about 10 p.m., and we are now 
 about one third of the way to De Aar. The 
 gradients on the railway are very stiff, i in 40 is 
 quite common, and in several places as steep as 
 i in 30. We have already gone up about 3,000 feet, 
 and our pace has been very slow. We expect to go 
 on from De Aar to relieve Kimberley and Mafeking. 
 The climate here is lovely ; a beautiful clear sky 
 and a fairly hot sun. We hope to arrive at De Aar 
 to-morrow, Thursday, about 12 noon. 
 
 The railway is patrolled in all the dangerous 
 places by Cape Mounted Police and Volunteers. 
 We have had a very good reception so far, but soon 
 we will get into the disloyal parts, and probably 
 have a shot or two fired into the train. I am 
 
 190
 
 A Record 
 
 writing this in the train, which does not run too 
 smoothly. We have 700 men in this train, and the 
 remainder come on in a later train. We had a 
 great reception at Matjesfontein from a large land- 
 owner (a Scotsman, by name Logan). He is a 
 member of the Cape Parliament, and one of Rhodes' 
 lot. A very fine lunch and a most hearty send off. 
 As far as I can see we have done very little with 
 the Boers so far in Natal, but I trust that the 
 reinforcements, which ought to have arrived by 
 now, will soon put matters right. I think we ought 
 to be able to cause a diversion on the western 
 boundary of the Orange Free State, and at the 
 same time relieve Kimberley and Mafeking. Having 
 done that, all being well with the Natal force, we 
 would march straight on Pretoria. That is the 
 programme at present, but it is quite possible that 
 we may advance through the centre of the Orange 
 Free State. 
 
 I am very fit. Best of luck to you all. 
 
 Yours affectionately. 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 He arrived at De Aar on November 16, 
 and his regiment remained at that station for 
 six days. Writing from there he sent home 
 the following interesting letter : 
 
 De Aar, 
 
 20 November, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We arrived here on Thursday last. This is 
 a most important junction, and our business is to 
 defend it. The gist, 78th, and half Battalion of 
 ourselves are here. We have been expecting an 
 attack daily, but as yet the Boers have not put in 
 
 191
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 an appearance. Our other half Battalion, under 
 Major Duff, left here on Saturday to garrison 
 Naauwport, an important place about 70 miles off. 
 
 The Boers blew up the railway bridge close to 
 Naauwport just after our lot had crossed. We 
 shall garrison this place here until Lord Methuen 
 has relieved Kimberley. After that, Methuen's 
 force will return here, and we will all go towards 
 the Orange Free State through Colesberg, and from 
 thence through the middle of Orange Free State to 
 Pretoria. 
 
 We have been supplying the outposts to this 
 place for the last four or five days, and the work is 
 very trying and hard. Not a wink of sleep, and 
 constantly on the alert. I am doing adjutant for 
 this half Battalion here. Up to now we have been 
 fairly comfortable, but we always sleep fully dressed, 
 to be ready at a moment's notice. I was in com- 
 mand of a very important post a few nights ago 
 with 15 men (200 rounds each), grub and water for 
 three days, and orders to hold it to the last. I 
 was in hopes the Boers would arrive, but they 
 did not. They have made a fatal mistake in not 
 attacking this place sooner. If they had attacked 
 a week or so ago they could easily have captured 
 it, and thereby cut off the large force on the 
 Orange River from its base, and not only that, but 
 a large quantity of valuable stores would have 
 fallen into their hands. At the present moment 
 they have not much chance unless they bring a 
 very large force. I met Heatlie here ; I dined with 
 him on Saturday, and met his wife. He enquired 
 very kindly after you all. 
 
 It is very hot here, and our tents are pitched in 
 a huge bunker, and the dust is something frightful 
 
 192
 
 A Record 
 
 when it blows. The 7ist, with my pal Wolfe 
 Murray, left here this morning to hold the Orange 
 River while Methuen advances on Kimberley. No 
 more time. 
 
 Yours aifectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 On November 22 Tait moved eastward 
 to Naauwpoort, from which place he writes : 
 
 Naauwport, 
 
 25 November, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We joined the right half Battalion here last 
 Wednesday. This is a far more pleasant camp than 
 De Aar. Our strength here is one Battery R.H.A., 
 one and a half Battalions Infantry, and a few 
 Mounted Infantry, and an Ammunition Column. I 
 believe we are going to attack Colesberg as soon as 
 we are reinforced. We want a Regiment of Cavalry 
 and another Battalion of Infantry. The Cavalry 
 Regiment is expected to-day, so we ought to be at 
 work soon. We are now in touch with the Boers, 
 about 14 miles from here. On Thursday last we 
 sent out a Company of the Black Watch and some 
 Mounted Infantry in a train in the direction of 
 Colesberg. We had repaired the line the day before 
 to within 15 miles of that place. Our men and the 
 Mounted Infantry found the Boers in a strong posi- 
 tion about 16 miles from here. We are about 
 38 miles from Colesberg. The Mounted Infantry, 
 in reconnoitring the position, got three men hit (one 
 man in four places). We are in a capital position 
 here, but the Boers are too crafty to attack us. 
 General French is in command here. I have just 
 
 193 N
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 come off 24 hours' outpost duty. It is very tiring 
 work, as you must never sleep, and must be on your 
 feet all the time. Cameron, Innes, and I share a 
 tent. When we advance from here (if we have to 
 leave the railway) we are only going to carry a 
 blanket and a waterproof sheet. A lot of us have 
 started beards ; I have managed to shave up to now, 
 but I expect I shall be compelled to give it up. 
 Ramsay and John Harvey look very well in beards. 
 We are all very fit. We have all given up swords 
 and taken to rifles, to be more like the men, and 
 consequently not so conspicuous. I hope Willie and 
 Alec carried my motion. Many thanks for your 
 letters. " South African Field Force" is the correct 
 address. 
 
 Hope you are all very fit. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 The " motion " referred to by Tait was 
 one which he would himself have proposed 
 had he been able to be present at the business 
 meeting of the Royal and Ancient Club. Its 
 object was to give the members of the club, 
 and not the committee, the final appointment 
 of the club secretary. This motion, which 
 was an excellent example of Tait's sound com- 
 mon sense, was unfortunately lost at a small 
 meeting by three votes. 
 
 Tait left Naauwport on November 27th, 
 and went by rail North, via De Aar, to 
 Orange River Station, and writes from 
 there 
 
 194
 
 A Record 
 
 Orange River, 
 
 i December, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I am writing this on the bank of the Orange 
 River. My Company and two others are at present 
 guarding the railway bridge. There are a lot of 
 Boers about nine miles from here, but they won't 
 attack us, worse luck. We ought to have been with 
 Lord Methuen in his last three fights, but as our 
 Battalion was split up into two, just when we were 
 wanted, the gist were sent instead. We expect to 
 be relieved here by another regiment about Sunday, 
 and then we will follow on and join Lord Methuen, 
 and get up to him in time to relieve Kimberley. 
 Lord Methuen lost a lot of men at the Modder 
 River, about 550 killed and wounded. The gist 
 suffered the most. Our other half Battalion is at 
 Naauwport, 140 miles from here. We expect them 
 to join us to-morrow or Sunday. We expected an 
 attack last night, from information that we had 
 received from our scouts, but the ruffians did not 
 come. The Boers are awfully keen on blowing up 
 the bridge here, but I don't think they will manage 
 that while we are on the spot. We send a quarter 
 of our Company to bathe at a time, the remaining 
 three-quarters look out for the Boers. We came 
 here from Naauwport last Monday. Two Regiments 
 of our Brigade are already with Lord Methuen ; 
 half of our Regiment and the Seaforths are here, so 
 in a few days the Highland Brigade ought to be 
 together at the front. I met Percy Grant, first at 
 De Aar and again here ; he is a volunteer doctor 
 during the war. I went round the Boer wounded 
 with him two days ago here. There are about sixty 
 
 195 N 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 or seventy of them. The)' are fairly decent-looking 
 chaps, and seemed quite happy. I talked to a good 
 many of them (that is to say to those that spoke 
 English) ; most of them were jolly glad to be pri- 
 soners, and none of them were keen to fight any 
 more. We are wearing khaki aprons over our kilts, 
 as a dark kilt is a splendid thing " to draw a bead 
 on." We are about one and a half miles from camp, 
 on the top of a kopje covering the railway bridge. I 
 have just returned from bathing, with a party of 
 25 men or so ; they enjoy themselves very much in 
 the water. I had a capital swim myself. 
 
 The weather is splendid, very hot during the day 
 and quite cool at night. The only thing that 
 bothers us is the dust, which is most unpleasant 
 when there is any wind. Cameron has been pro- 
 moted Captain. We are only 40 miles from Lord 
 Methuen, and the railway has been repaired right up 
 to Modder River, so we will not take long to reach 
 the front when we start. 
 
 Two trains of our wounded came in yesterday. I 
 have not been down to camp to see them yet, but I 
 shall go this afternoon. We get very little news 
 here ; in fact, everyone at home must know far more 
 about the war than we do. I hope my motion was 
 carried at St. Andrews. General Andrew Wauchope 
 is looking very fit and well. We have just been 
 warned to be ready to go off to-morrow (Saturday), 
 so my next letter will be from somewhere near Kim- 
 berley, I hope. 
 
 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all at 
 38, George Square, 8, Belgrave Crescent, 51, George 
 Square, etc., etc. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 196
 
 A Record 
 
 Owing to congestion on the line, the left 
 Battalion, in which Tait was, proceeded north- 
 ward on foot, the right Battalion having pre- 
 viously gone forward by train. 
 
 Writing to his brother Alec from Honey 
 Nest Kloof, Tait describes the journey towards 
 Modder River, and, as usual, does not forget 
 to send a kindly message with regard to 
 " Nails' " welfare, which no doubt the dog 
 duly appreciated 
 
 Honey Nest Kloof, 
 
 South Africa, 
 
 5 December, 1899. 
 My dear Alec, 
 
 I thought you might like to hear a little 
 about this show out here, so as I have a little time 
 to spare I write you a few lines. We join Lord 
 Methuen to-morrow at the Modder River, 12 miles 
 from here. Our right-half Battalion is already 
 there. They went by train ; we are marching, as 
 the line, which is only a single one, is much con- 
 gested with traffic. Stores, ammunition, troops, 
 and supplies of all kinds go up, and empty trains 
 and trains with sick and wounded come down. We 
 have to march 55 miles from the Orange River, 
 over very bad, sandy tracks, with very little water 
 (water is very scarce in this part of the country). 
 It is very hot during the day, and sometimes very 
 cold at night, especially about 2 a.m. There is 
 absolutely no shade, and the dust is very bad ; 
 under the circumstances, you will see that 12 miles 
 a day is quite good going. Each officer and man 
 carries upwards of 35 Ibs., without counting clothes. 
 
 197
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 We all carry rifles and 100 rounds of ammunition 
 a large coat, a large water bottle (holding two 
 quarts), field glasses, and a haversack. People 
 think nothing of a 15 or 20 mile walk in England 
 when dressed in a shooting suit and carrying 
 nothing but a stick or a gun ; personally, I would 
 sooner walk 35 miles like that in England than 
 14 miles here at this time of year, dressed as we 
 are. We carry rifles and the same equipment as 
 the men, in order to make it more difficult for the 
 Boers to pick out the officers. The transport, 
 which consists of mules and bullock waggons, 
 carries a blanket and a waterproof- sheet for each 
 of us (inside the blanket we carry a spare shirt, a 
 pair of socks, a sponge, and a few articles of that 
 sort). That comprises my whole wardrobe at 
 present. I have managed to shave up till now, but 
 nearly all the rest have got beards, as water is so 
 scarce, and sometimes you don t get an opportunity 
 of shaving for two or three days at a time. 
 
 We expect to have a big fight at Spitfontein at 
 the end of this week or the beginning of next. Lord 
 Methuen's last fight at the Modder River was by 
 no means a success, but by Thursday this week he 
 will be reinforced by the Highland Brigade, another 
 Battery of Artillery, and the I2th Lancers. The 
 Boers are in a very strong position at Spitfontein, 
 and will take some shifting. I expect we will get 
 our share of the fighting. We join Lord Methuen 
 to-morrow, and the Seaforths, the last to arrive of 
 the Brigade, on Thursday. I am writing this under 
 a shelter made from galvanised iron and wooden 
 props, the remains of a store looted by the Boers 
 some time ago. It is well over 90 in the shade 
 now. When we have cleared the Boers out of their 
 
 198
 
 A Record 
 
 position at Spitfontein, then Kimberley will be 
 relieved ; after that I expect we will march on 
 Bloemfontein. I have been very fit so far, but it is 
 rather too hot for my taste. 
 
 Remember me to Sandy Morton, the Smiths, 
 Maclean, etc. 
 
 No more time. 
 
 I hope you carried my motion. Give " Nails " 
 a good Christmas and New Year dinner from me. 
 I hope he is very fit. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Tait arrived at Modder River on Decem- 
 ber 6th, and joined the other half of his 
 Battalion. 
 
 A few hours before the fatal attack on 
 the kopje at Magersfontein he writes to 
 Mrs. Tait 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 10 December, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I have only time to write a short note, as we 
 are off on a night march to-night and will attack 
 enemy at dawn to-morrow. We shall probably be 
 away for five or six days from here. The enemy is 
 in a very strong position, but we hope to turn him 
 out to-morrow. Our force consists of the Highland 
 Brigade and Yorkshire Light Infantry, four Bat- 
 teries, and gth Lancers. Your last letter must have 
 gone astray, as I have received nothing for a fort- 
 night. We expected the last mail to-day, but it has 
 been delayed, so we shall probably not get any 
 letters for a week. 
 
 199
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 I wrote to Alec last mail ; this will be a week 
 after his letter. The Black Watch lead the 
 advanced guard, so we may get it fairly hot. Best 
 of luck to you all, not forgetting " Nails." 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 At 12.30 on the morning of the nth 
 December, Tait started with the Highland 
 Brigade on their ill-fated attempt to carry 
 the Boer position at Magersfontein. How, 
 having failed properly to locate the Boer 
 position, they were surprised, when marching 
 in mass of quarter column and on the point 
 of defiling, by a terrific rifle fire from the 
 advanced Boer trenches, is now a matter ot 
 history. 
 
 Something akin to panic seized the 
 advancing brigade, and it was at this crisis, 
 and in an environment which made his 
 action the more characteristic, that Tait 
 rallied his company " all that was left ot 
 them " and continued the attack. In the 
 work he did the work of a moment Tait 
 showed that he had not mistaken his 
 vocation.* 
 
 There was no time for deliberation, for 
 what was to be done had to be done without 
 a moment's pause for thought. Tait's action, 
 therefore, in unhesitatingly rallying his men 
 
 * Sergeant Dyke of the Seaforth Highlanders, who carried Tait 
 off the field, describes his conduct as being conspicuously gallant. 
 
 2OO
 
 A Record 
 
 and advancing in the face of the deadly 
 fire which confronted him, can hardly be 
 altogether ascribed to his great presence of 
 mind and his undoubted faculty for grasping 
 quickly the circumstances of a situation. 
 When there is no time for thought, the 
 natural impulses of the man, not his reason- 
 ing faculties, dominate his actions. The 
 supreme moment of Tait's life came to him 
 amid the darkness and disorder at Magers- 
 fontein, and without an instant's hesitation, 
 he instinctively chose the course that was 
 natural to him. 
 
 On the following day, December 12th, 
 Tait started in the hospital train en route 
 for Wynberg, and arrived at the hospital on 
 the i4th. A fellow officer, wounded at 
 Magersfontein, writes as follows of his 
 journey with Tait to Wynberg 
 
 I remember being among the first into the 
 ambulance train which brought us wounded to 
 Wynberg after Magersfontein, and keeping the 
 berth next me for Freddie, who, both in the train 
 and afterwards in hospital, seemed much more con- 
 cerned for my comfort than ever he was for his own. 
 One of the last letters he ever wrote was one he 
 sent to me just before they started for Koodoosberg, 
 full of details about our losses at Magersfontein, 
 which he knew I was anxious to have, but which 
 must have been most troublesome to obtain in the 
 hurry before starting but that was just like him, 
 he always had time to help a pal. 
 
 201
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 On reaching Wynberg Hospital, Tait 
 wrote his first impressions of Magersfontein 
 to his mother. 
 
 Wynberg Hospital, 
 
 Near Cape Town, 
 
 15 December 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 We started a night march on the enemy's 
 position at 12.30 a.m. on Monday morning last. 
 The Black Watch in front, then the Seaforths, 
 Argylls, and H.L.I. The night was pitch dark, 
 and the country we had to go over was covered with 
 small boulders and low, thick, prickly bushes. We 
 got nothing to eat before starting, and very few of 
 the men had time to fill their water bottles. The 
 march went all right until about 2 a.m., when a 
 tremendous thunderstorm broke over us, and lasted 
 for more than an hour. We were absolutely soaked to 
 the skin. With the rain the night got still darker, 
 consequently we got along at a painfully slow rate. 
 A night march is bad enough on a fairly clear 
 night, but on a really dark night it is hopeless. 
 About 4 a.m. we could dimly see the kopje that 
 the enemy were holding. At that moment we 
 were in mass of quarter column facing the kopje, 
 and, as far as I could judge, about 600 yards 
 from it. We were just going to deploy when 
 the most terrific fire suddenly started about 
 300 yards off (that is to say, midway between 
 us and the kopje). It was still too dark to see 
 anything clearly. Our orders were to lie down, 
 fix bayonets, and charge. Not wanting to miss 
 anything, I got in front of the front company 
 and charged. We got along a 100 yards or so when 
 we got into the dreadful flanking as well as frontal 
 
 202
 
 A Record 
 
 fire, and lost very heavily. I could now see that 
 the enemy were in trenches about 200 to 250 yards 
 off. We managed to get 50 yards nearer, losing 
 heavily all the time, and there we lay down (what 
 was left of the lot with me) and began firing. I was 
 about 15 or 20 yards in front, and had just got up 
 to get back in line when I got a bullet through my 
 left thigh. I was knocked clean over, but two of 
 my men got up and pulled me back into the line. 
 It was still not quite light. I was able to turn 
 over on my stomach and fire at the Boers. A 
 quarter of an hour later it was quite light, and then 
 we began to get it properly. The men on each 
 side of me were hit straight away, and in a few 
 minutes very few were left unhit. It was quite 
 impossible for any ambulance or doctor to advance, 
 so all our wounded lay within 200 yards or so of the 
 Boer trenches all day in a broiling sun, being shot at 
 whenever they moved until 7 o'clock at night, most 
 of them without a drop of water. 
 
 When our artillery fire was very hot, and the 
 Boer fire in consequence slacker, I managed to get 
 some badly -wounded fellows back to some bushes 
 and shade about 100 yards in rear. I lay all day 
 from about 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. being shot at. I got 
 a shot through my haversack and another grazed 
 my heel, and the rest hit all round. I smoked 
 some cigarettes, munched a little bit of biscuit, and 
 would have been fairly comfortable but for my 
 wound (which hurt a good deal), and for the heat, 
 which was excessive. I knew the bullet had not 
 hit a bone or an artery, so I felt fairly cheerful 
 under the circumstances. I got back to hospital 
 about 10 p.m. and got dressed, and then had two 
 big bowls of tea and some biscuits, and since then 
 
 203
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 I have been all right. The wounded have had a 
 very comfortable journey down here in hospital 
 trains, and this is a capital shady spot, very unlike 
 the Modder River. I expect to go north again in 
 a week. We lost the Colonel, and, worst of all, poor 
 old Macfarlan and Ramsay, also Bruce and Elton. 
 Twelve officers wounded, and total in the regiment 
 355 killed and wounded. Young Wauchope is hit 
 in four places, but he is getting on well. All I hope 
 is that next time we get a chance of giving back 
 a bit of what we have received. How is poor 
 old " Nails " ? Give him plenty of bones from me. 
 I hope you are all very well. 
 With best love, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Tait remained at Wynberg Hospital for 
 a week, after which he was removed to 
 Claremont Sanitorium. On leaving Wynberg, 
 where he was evidently comfortable, he sends 
 another pleasant message to " Nails." 
 
 Wynberg Hospital, 
 
 Near Cape Town, 
 
 19 December, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I have nothing further to write except that 
 I am getting on first rate, and hope soon to be back 
 at the front. I enclose telegram, which you might 
 put into the book. The hospital here is very com- 
 fortable, and all the wounded are doing well. One 
 of our officers died here of blood poisoning, very 
 
 * This telegram was from the representatives of 40 Golf Clubs 
 in Manchester and district, wishing Tait a speedy recovery. 
 
 204
 
 A Record 
 
 suddenly ; he was wounded in the leg. That makes 
 seven killed and eleven wounded. Things seem 
 to be going very badly for us just now 
 Our brigade was simply thrown away ; hundreds of 
 splendid fellows were killed and wounded, and 
 nothing gained in the end. You will get this letter 
 along with my last, which I wrote last Friday or 
 Saturday. The mail goes to-morrow morning. 
 Hope you are all very well, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 P.S. How is " Nails " ? Give him plenty of 
 food. 
 
 F. G. T. 
 
 P.S.S. We miss the mails regularly ; as we get 
 to one place they go on to another, and so on. I 
 have not had a letter for over three weeks. 
 
 F. G. T. 
 
 Tait was convalescent by this time, and 
 writing from Claremont, on December 26th, 
 gives further particulars of Magersfontein 
 
 Claremont, 
 
 Near Cape Town, 
 
 26 December, 1899. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I came here last Wednesday, and I appear 
 to be getting on first rate. I hope you got my 
 telegram all right. This is a rum sort of establish- 
 ment ; it seems to be a home for all sorts of broken- 
 down people. The Government have taken part of 
 it for wounded officers. I thought at first that the 
 bullet that hit me had gone clean through my thigh 
 
 205
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 without hitting anything, but it now appears to have 
 gone through the thigh bone. I don't feel any ill 
 effects ; my appetite is excellent, and I leel really 
 very fit ; of course, I am very stiff, and my leg feels 
 weak. I enclose a telegram for the book. I got 
 your December letter before the November one. A 
 lot of our wounded officers will have to come home ; 
 Major Duff, young Wauchope, Drummond, and 
 possibly Cameron, and a Harvey that you don't 
 know. It is awfully sad about poor Macfarlan and 
 Ramsay ; I am awfully sorry for Mrs. Macfarlan. 
 I was with Macfarlan and Ramsay when we first 
 charged, but they both went off with a lot of men 
 to try and work round the flank of the Boers. I 
 never saw them again, as I went on with the frontal 
 attack. General Wauchope and our Colonel, and 
 Captain Bruce and young Edmonds, were all killed 
 with the lot of men that I accompanied. General 
 Wauchope is in no way responsible for the fearful 
 loss of life amongst the Highland Brigade ; he got 
 his orders, and had to carry them out, and he was 
 killed in front of his brigade. I feel certain 
 that if we had been led up in line we should have 
 rushed the position with probably a quarter of the 
 loss that we actually suffered. As it was, we arrived 
 rather late and in mass of quarter column. I will 
 explain that formation to you : There are eight 
 companies in a battalion, and four battalions in a 
 brigade ; quarter column means a column of com- 
 panies with six paces between companies ; mass of 
 quarter column, in our case, meant thirty-two com- 
 panies one behind the other at six paces interval, 
 with a slightly longer interval between battalions. 
 Our front was about 50 yards and our depth about 
 300 yards ; a pretty formation to arrive within 
 
 206
 
 (Snafshot. 
 
 ON BOARD H.M.S. "N1OBE," January ist, 1900. 
 
 (Last photograph of F. G. Tail,}
 
 A Record 
 
 350 yards of the Boer position. You may imagine 
 the effect of a tremendously hot rifle fire into that 
 compact body. Our men behaved magnificently, 
 and a cooler lot of officers and men I never want to 
 see. Some of our men on my right actually got 
 into the trenches, and were then shelled out by our 
 own guns and forced to retire. I am 
 
 glad Roberts is coming out, as the troops have 
 great confidence in him. Your present of socks 
 and tobacco will be very welcome when it arrives. 
 
 I hope you all had a very pleasant Christmas ; I 
 cannot say I enjoyed mine much. I had a drive 
 to Rhodes' house yesterday. 
 
 The last mail has arrived at Cape Town, and 
 ought to be delivered this afternoon here. 
 
 I hope you are all very well. Give my love to 
 Aunt Jane and Uncle Crum, and a bone with plenty 
 of meat on it to " Nails." 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Being now well enough to get about, Tait 
 went down to Simon's Bay and spent a couple 
 of happy days cruising on H.M.S. Niobe. He 
 joined the cruiser on the 3ist December, and 
 so was able to show them the true Scottish 
 method of bringing in the New Year. He 
 refers to his cruise in the following short 
 note 
 
 Claremont Sanatorium, 
 
 2 January, 1900. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I start next week for the front again. 
 Nothing of importance to tell you. I had a little 
 
 207
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 trip on board H.M.S. Niobe (first-class cruiser) from 
 Simon's Bay to Cape Town, and enjoyed it very 
 much. I am practically all right now. If I have 
 time to-night I will write a little more. Love to all. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 He returned to Claremont on January 8th, 
 and on the loth started again for the front, his 
 last birthday (nth January) being spent in the 
 train. 
 
 In the following letter he mentions having 
 taken some photographs, which are, unfortu- 
 nately, not sufficiently distinct for reproduction 
 in these pages. 
 
 Civil Service Club, 
 
 Cape Town, 
 
 9 January, 1900. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I got two of your letters yesterday. I go 
 to the front again to-morrow (Wednesday). I spent 
 a few days on board the Niobe, and I am now quite 
 well again. I have no news at all. I shall let you 
 know about the tobacco and the other presents you 
 sent to the men by the next mail. All my letters go 
 to Modder River and then come back, so I always 
 get them a week late. Please thank Aunt Jane for 
 her kind present. I hope to get it when I arrive at 
 Modder again. Wolfe Murray and I are going up 
 to-morrow night together. I send you a few photo- 
 graphs, taken by myself, which may interest you. 
 I have written on the back of each one 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G TAIT 
 
 208
 
 A Record 
 
 When Tait arrived at Modder River he 
 spent several uneventful days, during which 
 he wrote the following letters to Mr. Herbert 
 Johnstone and myself, which refer mainly to 
 his experiences at Magersfontein. 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 14 January, 1900. 
 
 My dear Herbert, 
 
 You are a " ripper " writing to me, you 
 have no idea how much I enjoy a letter from home. 
 I arrived here yesterday again, after being away 
 down near Cape Town for a little over four weeks. 
 I am quite fit again, and ready for another go. I 
 got shot through the thigh early in the morning, and 
 while it was still fairly dark. (Beastly fluke ! !). I 
 was only about 250 yards off the trenches all the 
 time, trying to organise another rush. The shot felt 
 very much like a terrific kick without any pain ; it 
 knocked me clean off my legs, and two fellows 
 hauled me back into the line. I was beastly un- 
 comfortable all day, as I was lying on a sort of small 
 ant heap, and the brutes crawled up my legs and 
 amused themselves round about the two holes in my 
 leg. I plugged away with my rifle, and I can almost 
 swear to two Boers, which was not so bad, but when 
 I get them on the open, or attacking us, I will have 
 a much bigger bag. Their position 
 
 was by nature very strong, but was made trebly so 
 by the trenches and entanglements that they had 
 made. To have attacked their position with any 
 prospect of success we should not have had less 
 than 5,000. * * * * We were all led to under- 
 stand that the enemy's position was a large kopje, 
 
 209 o
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and when we were about 600 yards off it, as far as 
 we could judge in the darkness, we were just be- 
 ginning to deploy, when we got a terrific fire from 
 the front and flanks. We then found out that their 
 first position was a line of trenches more than 
 200 yards in front of the kopje. 
 
 We got the order to lie down, fix bayonets, 
 and charge. Our front three companies charged 
 straight on, and the other five went off to the right 
 to try and turn the Boers' right flank. The front 
 three companies (I was in that lot) got to within 
 about 200 yards, but we could not get any nearer ; 
 the remnant of the three companies lay down at 
 this point, and held their ground until 7 p.m. in a 
 hot sun, without water and food, and being plugged 
 at all the time. I think only six men of this lot 
 got away unhurt after fifteen hours' fighting. The 
 Boers never hit me again, although I got any 
 number most unpleasantly close ; two through my 
 haversack, the rest hitting the ground in front, or 
 whizzing past my ears. General Wauchope, Colonel 
 Coode, Bruce, and young Edmonds, were all killed 
 within fifty yards or so on my left. Many of the 
 men were hit three or four times, and some more. 
 Poor young Wauchope got hit four times, and lay 
 out all the night, and was not brought in till 
 ii o'clock the next day. He is an awful plucky 
 fellow. I never expected to get away, so I made 
 the best of a bad job and smoked cigarettes. 
 We were never supported all day. The Gordons 
 advanced about 10 o'clock, but never got very 
 close. 
 
 My two best friends are killed poor old Anak 
 Macfarlan and Ramsay, two splendid fellows. Old 
 Anak bagged four Boers before they got him. 
 
 210
 
 A Record 
 
 I hope you are very fit. I should like to be 
 playing matches with you this winter. If I get 
 back we shall have lots ; but if we have another 
 Magersfontein, I have my doubts. The whole thing 
 is absolute luck ; one man is hit four or five times 
 and recovers, and another man gets hit once and 
 is killed, and some don't get hit at all. From my 
 experience of fifteen hours' fighting, it is not to be 
 compared to the excitement or interest of a good 
 finish at golf. After you have been shot at by 
 people you cannot see to shoot at, it becomes 
 deadly dull. Possibly when one does all the shoot- 
 ing it may be more interesting. Please give Mrs. 
 Herbert my kindest regards. John Harvey is all 
 right ; we expect him here to-day. 
 
 Please remember me most kindly to Archie Pat, 
 Leslie, Harry Stevenson, John Menzies, Tom Clark, 
 and with many thanks. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 19 January, 1900. 
 My dear Johnnie, 
 
 Many thanks for your kind letter. It was 
 awfully good of you to write. I am all right again 
 now, and back at the front. I should have had 
 my leg badly broken if the bullet which hit me 
 had not had an awful "slice" on. The "slice" 
 made it go round the bone. We had a jolly hot 
 time of it I can tell you, but it was a very one- 
 sided show, as the Boers were behind trenches, and 
 we were in the open. I got plugged about 4 a.m., 
 about 250 yards from the trenches in our front 
 line, and lay there till 7 p.m. at night, getting 
 
 211 o 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 plugged at all the time ; only about six of this front 
 line got away without being hit. The papers say 
 the Highland Brigade retired and re-formed. The 
 Black Watch never did ; and, furthermore, we held 
 our ground all day. 
 
 I hear excellent news from Colenso to-day. 
 Buller has got his whole force across the Tugela. 
 I don't think we will take more than three or four 
 months now. Poor Macfarlan, Ramsay, Elton, and 
 Edmonds, are an awful loss to us. 
 
 I am afraid I cannot get back in time to play 
 the May Medal with you. I should like to see 
 you pull it off; you have not had any luck lately 
 in the important events. 
 
 Many thanks, old man, for your letter. My 
 kindest regards and love to Stuart Paton and other 
 friends at Woking. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 In a letter written on January lyth, Tait 
 describes a reconnaissance on Magersfontein, 
 and on the following day in a letter to his 
 mother, gives his views on the future pro- 
 spects of the campaign. The letter written 
 to his brother Alec on the same day is of 
 peculiar interest. Tait had come through 
 the extremities of war at Magersfontein, and 
 he here gives expression to a thought which 
 he must purposely have concealed from his 
 mother, and only lightly hints at to his 
 brother in the now pathetic words, " in 
 case of accidents." 
 
 212
 
 A Record 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 17 January, 1900. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I got back here last Friday. Your box 
 arrived here to-day, and was much appreciated. 
 Tobacco, socks, shirts, pipes, and anything of that 
 sort are always useful. 
 
 I don't know whether you ever received my 
 wire or not. I sent one from Wynberg about a 
 week after I got hit, but you do not mention 
 having received it. Please let me know if it 
 arrived. We are just off on a reconnaissance in 
 force on Magersfontein again. Two regiments and 
 a battery or two. The heat here is rather too 
 much, and it is generally accompanied by a dust 
 storm. We start in about three quarters of an 
 hour, so I must now close. I will add some more 
 later. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 18 January, 1900. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 Our reconnaissance yesterday ended without 
 any casualties to us, although the Boers put a few 
 shells fairly close to us every now and then. The 
 officers are very much pleased with the box, which, 
 as I said, arrived yesterday. They all send their 
 best thanks. The shortbread is excellent ; a large 
 number of clay pipes were broken. The work now 
 is very hard. Each Company is on picket three 
 nights out of five, and the duty lasts 27 hours. The 
 men get a chance of a little sleep on picket, but 
 the officers have to be on the alert all the night. 
 
 213
 
 F G. Tait 
 
 We go on at 3 a.m. and come off at 6 a.m. the 
 following morning. If it was cooler during the day 
 one could put in a few hours' sleep, but it is far 
 too hot for that. I could not write last week as 
 I was travelling up from Cape Town, and I missed 
 the mail at Modder River. I have had a lot of very 
 kind letters from people all over the country. One 
 enjoys a letter very much out here. I am awfully 
 sorry for all the people at home having all their 
 dances and fun stopped on account of the war. 
 I think it is a great mistake, as it gives too much 
 time for thought, and goodness knows there is plenty 
 to think about. I think everything ought to go on 
 all right as soon as Ladysmith is relieved. The 
 great difficulty that we have in carrying on the war 
 is due to spies. The whole of Cape Colony is just 
 bristling with disloyal people who give excellent 
 information to the Boers. 
 
 Our information about the Boers is generally 
 very bad, and often most misleading. I believe that 
 a good many of our scouts are in the Boers' pay. 
 I shall write to Alec this mail if I have time. 
 Please tell the Governor to pay some money into 
 Cox & Co. for me. I had a good look at the 
 Magersfontein position yesterday when we were out. 
 * * * * I believe Kimberley would have been 
 relieved six weeks ago if we had left a small force 
 to hold Modder River and moved out with the 
 remainder round the Boer flank through the Free 
 State and on to Kimberley. 
 
 The Boers then would either have had to come 
 out and fight us in the open or remain in Magers- 
 fontein and see Kimberley relieved. In any case, 
 the relief of Kimberley was a great error. An 
 advance up the middle of the Free State from Orange 
 
 214
 
 A Record 
 
 River would have been far better, as the Free 
 State is absolutely level, and the Boers would not 
 then have had the great advantage of taking up a 
 series of splendid positions in front of us and forcing 
 us to fight whenever they felt inclined. Another 
 thing, the mere fact of a strong force of 20,000 men 
 moving up the Free State would have relieved 
 Kimberley, as the force investing Kimberley would 
 have had to withdraw to defend Bloemfontein. I 
 miss poor old Anak and Ramsay very much. I wish 
 they were here to enjoy the shortbread. Give poor 
 old " Nails " some kidneys for his kind present. 
 
 No more time. 
 
 Kindest regards and love, etc., to all, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 P.S. I hope the Governor is better. 
 
 F. G. T. 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 18 January, iqoo. 
 My dear Alec, 
 
 I have not much time, but I can manage a 
 few lines. Thanks for your letter. I got up here a 
 few days ago, and am quite well again. I had a jolly 
 lucky recovery, half an inch more and I should have 
 had my thigh-bone smashed. I hope you are very 
 fit. I am sorry we lost our motion at St. Andrews, 
 but we did very well, as we never canvassed at all. 
 It is too hot out here for my taste. I hope you got 
 my letter from Honey Nest Kloof. We will never 
 be able to replace MacFarlan and Ramsay, they 
 were two splendid fellows. We have lost over one- 
 third of the Regiment, and I have lost one-third of 
 my Company. 
 
 215
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 The work here is very heavy just now, three days 
 out of five on picket for 27 hours at a time without 
 sleep. I think we ought to finish the show in four 
 months if Ladysmith is relieved soon. John Harvey, 
 Berkeley, and I are the only three officers back as 
 yet. We will get two more almost at once, making 
 five out of eleven wounded, but we shan't see the 
 other six for many months, I am afraid. Poor 
 young Edmonds, Colonel Coode, General Wauchope, 
 and Bruce, were all killed close to me. I had some 
 desperate near shaves. Two bullets through my 
 haversack, etc. I have received many kind letters, 
 but it is awful work writing in this heat. Remember 
 me to all my Glasgow friends, and, in case of acci- 
 dents, I want George Law to get my putter, and old 
 Ponkie Kerr something too. Arty Wolfe Murray 
 said it was lucky my bullet had a " slice " on ! ! Have 
 you got your partnership yet ? 
 
 Good luck. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 Writing to his old friend, Ian Mclntyre, 
 a week later, Tait gives another interesting 
 description of the battle of the nth December, 
 and pays a high tribute to the men of the 
 Black Watch- 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 24 January, 1900. 
 
 Dear old Ian, 
 
 Many thanks for your letter. You have no 
 idea how much I enjoy a letter from the old country, 
 especially when it is from a " Fettesian." Isn't that 
 
 216
 
 A Record 
 
 what you call yourself? I remember some club 
 coming over from Edinburgh to play golf at St. An- 
 drews last September with a name something like 
 that. The members were a funny lot. They blocked 
 the green, crowded out the Club- House, cooked 
 their scores, and forgot to (or couldn't) pay their 
 caddies. Now that I have put the Turkish bath 
 question all right I shall proceed. 
 
 I am back again at the front, and quite recovered, 
 and ready for another go. I hope the Boers will 
 attack us just for a change. We have been ordered 
 not to advance at present. I suppose that means 
 waiting until one of our columns is level with us in 
 the Free State. I think things are beginning to 
 improve a bit. I think the war will be over in four 
 months. Our fight was very much worse than a 
 rough football match in this way ; if you get scragged 
 or kicked in a football match you can generally give 
 as good as you get, but at Magersfontein we never 
 had a chance, we were led into a place something 
 like this * 
 
 You will see that we were led into a re-entering 
 part of the kopje, and were fired at on three sides in 
 the dark. We were not extended at the time. The 
 extreme darkness of the night was mainly responsi- 
 ble for the failure of the attack. I got plugged at 
 for 15 hours at about 250 yards, after being hit in 
 the dark in our last rush. The position was very 
 strong by nature, and their trenches were cleverly 
 planned, and they made use of wire fences, which 
 are dreadful obstacles in the dark. Our men behaved 
 magnificently, and I have the greatest confidence in 
 
 * Tait here gives a sketch showing the three-sided position of 
 the Boer trenches. 
 
 217
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 them. Everything is very quiet here just now, 
 except that the picket work is very hard ; we are on 
 for 24 hours three days out of every four. That 
 does not leave much time for sleep. Hope you give 
 England and Wales a proper hammering.* 
 With many thanks, old man. 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 P.S. Kind regards to Mrs. Ian, also to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Mclntyre, senior. 
 
 F. G. T. 
 
 In a letter to his uncle, Mr. John Porter, 
 dated February 2nd, Tait throws some fresh 
 light on the Magersfontein disaster, and on 
 the same day, writing to his mother, he makes 
 special mention of the death of Private Mac- 
 gregor, well known to all frequenters of St. 
 Andrews, as the painstaking and courteous 
 Caddie Superintendent, who was a Reservist. 
 
 M odder River, 
 
 2 February, 1900. 
 
 My dear Uncle John, 
 
 Many thanks for your letter and enclosure 
 about J. B. * * * I don't know who was 
 responsible for the close formation. The forma- 
 tion was all right if we had deployed sooner ; 
 
 * This refers to John Ball's departure for South Africa with 
 the Cheshire Yeomanry. 
 
 2l8
 
 A Record 
 
 that is where the mistake occurred. Mass of 
 quarter column was the only possible formation to 
 march in that night. It was very dark, but at the 
 same time we had plenty of light to deploy at least 
 ten minutes before we were fired into. 
 
 General Wauchope never made any remark 
 about its not being his fault. His A.D.C. and 
 galloper have both told me so ; and, if they had 
 not, I should never have believed that he made the 
 remark it is not the least like him. 
 Many thanks for the Cox & Co. arrangement. 
 We expect to move from here soon ; in which 
 direction I don't know, but I hope on Bloem- 
 fontein. We receive reinforcements every day. 
 We have a very strong force of guns here now. I 
 must send this off to catch the mail. Hope Mrs. P. 
 is very well. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 P.S. The Black Watch never retired at Magers- 
 fontein. What other regiments did I only know 
 from hearsay. 
 
 F. G. T. 
 
 Modder River, 
 
 2 February, 1900. 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 Thanks for your letter. I have 
 
 inquired about Stewart and MacDonald, and I am 
 afraid they were killed ; they are at present reported 
 missing. The Boers buried about 70 of the Highland 
 Brigade, mostly our men, I am afraid, and there was 
 no record kept of their names. Shoes, socks, etc., 
 arrived all right ; many thanks. We expect to move 
 
 219
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 from here shortly ; large reinforcements arrive daily. 
 I hope we are going to march on Bloemfontein, as I 
 am tired of fighting in our own country. I am 
 afraid Ladysmith is in a bad way ; Sir George will 
 have to cut his way out, I expect, and leave his 
 wounded and sick. I am very glad to hear that the 
 governor is better. It is still very hot here. I 
 want some shirts badly. I am afraid MacGregor, 
 the Caddie Superintendent, is dead. Hain, my old 
 servant, is missing or killed ; also Scullin, the one I 
 had at Glasgow. 
 
 Love to all, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 F. G. TAIT. 
 
 On February 3rd Tait's brigade moved 
 westward down the Riet River, some eight 
 miles, to Frazer's Drift, and on the following 
 day arrived at Koodoosberg Drift. From here, 
 on the morning of his death, he wrote a short 
 note to his mother, which is reproduced on 
 the opposite page. 
 
 Tait was killed during the reconnaissance 
 which took place at Koodoosberg Drift, under 
 General Macdonald. A description of the 
 engagement would be both out of place here 
 and foreign to my purpose. The circum- 
 stances of his death have been fortunately 
 preserved for us in the following letter from 
 Private Scott, who, writing to his mother, 
 after describing the preliminary skirmishing 
 at Koodoosberg, tells of the rush that was 
 
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 made by Tail's Company in order to check 
 the Boer advance. He says : 
 
 I got down beside our officer, Lieutenant Tait, 
 on his right hand. He said, " Now, men, we will 
 fight them at their own game." That meant that 
 each man was to get behind a rock and just 
 pop up to fire and then down again. And we 
 found it a good way, for we were just as good 
 as they were at it, and we did not forget to let 
 them know it either, for, whenever one showed 
 himself, down he went with half-a-dozen bullets 
 through him. After firing for about half-an-hour, 
 the Boers stopped firing, and the order was given 
 not to waste our shot. Lieutenant Tait's servant 
 came up with his dinner, and he asked me if I 
 would like a bit of dinner, and I said I would, 
 and thanked him very much. He gave me and 
 another man half of his dinner between us. Little 
 did I think, when we were joking with one another, 
 that we were helping him to eat his last dinner. 
 Just as we finished, he said, " I think we will 
 advance another fifty yards, and perhaps we will 
 see them better, and be able to give it them hot." 
 We all got ready again, and Lieutenant Tait 
 shouted, " Now, boys ! " We were after him like 
 hares. The Boers had seen us, and they gave us 
 a hot time of it. But on we went. Just as our 
 officer shouted to get down, he was shot. I was 
 just two yards behind him. He cried out, " Oh ! 
 they have done for me this time." I cried up to 
 him, " Where are you shot, sir ? " and he said, " I 
 don't know." He had been shot through the heart, 
 and never spoke again. Just a minute afterwards 
 I was shot through the leg, and dropped. All this 
 
 221
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 time the sun had been burning down on us, and to 
 make things worse, we had no water. But our men 
 stuck to it, and about six o'clock the Boers began 
 to retire. I suppose they thought they had enough, 
 but we thought otherwise, and pumped it hard into 
 them when they were retiring. I was glad when 
 it was over, for I had suffered very much. I crawled 
 for about fifty yards to one of my comrades, and 
 he dressed my legs. After it was dark they started 
 to carry down the dead and wounded. To give 
 you an idea of the hill I was on, it took them three 
 hours to carry me down to the foot. 
 
 The kindly action which is so simply 
 recorded in this letter forms a fitting termina- 
 tion to a life that had been all kindness and 
 goodwill towards men.* 
 
 Tait, with his natural pluck and keenness, 
 had evidently been pushing on to gain a more 
 advantageous position when he was struck 
 down. His party must have been subjected 
 to a very hot fire, as Private Scott seems to 
 have been hit almost at the same moment as 
 his officer. 
 
 Private Scott's account is supplemented 
 by four other letters from men of the Black 
 Watch, which give the same story, with slight 
 but natural variations. There is no need to 
 
 * Lieutenant Blair, of the Seaforth Highlanders, who was also 
 killed during the engagement at Koodoosberg, was a schoolfellow 
 of Tait's, and it is a strange coincidence that Dr. Fell who examined 
 their bodies was also a contemporary at Sedbergh. 
 
 222
 
 A Record 
 
 comment on the feeling of affection and sorrow 
 which runs through all thr.ee letters. 
 
 " He always had a smile on his face. Our 
 Company would have followed him anywhere." 
 
 No words could more eloquently express 
 the relationship in which Tait stood to his men. 
 
 From Pioneer Sergeant Howden, and 
 Battalion Black Watch 
 
 It was in the afternoon that poor Lieutenant 
 Tait was killed. He was in command of H Com- 
 pany. He had just made a rush forward with the 
 company, about 50 yards, so as to get closer to the 
 Boer position. He was in the act of lying down to 
 get under cover when he was shot, pretty high up 
 on the breast. He exclaimed, " I am afraid I am 
 badly hit," and dropped down and died in about 
 a minute. He was carried back to camp, and 
 was buried the next day on the bank of the Riet 
 River ; a very pretty place close to the drift, sur- 
 rounded by South African plants and trees. 
 
 The men put a small wooden cross, with his 
 name on it, on the grave. 
 
 Koodoosberg is about 28 miles from Modder 
 River Station. 
 
 Lieutenant Tait was thought an awful lot of 
 by both officers and men ; he treated men as men, 
 and not as dogs. He will be greatly missed in the 
 regiment. 
 
 From Private Hacker, Bandsman, 2nd 
 Battalion Black Watch 
 
 27 February, 1900. 
 
 By the time that this reaches you, no doubt you 
 will have heard that we have lost poor Lieutenant 
 
 223
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Tait, one of the best of fellows. Just the day after 
 I came back from hospital he came up and shook 
 hands with me, and said, " No more lying in bed 
 now, lad, till we get back to Old England. We 
 must make it hot for the Boers." 
 
 5 March, 1900. 
 
 Since I wrote to you last we have buried poor 
 Lieutenant Tait. It is a nice spot where he is 
 buried ; but, poor chap, he is a long way off home 
 and friends. All the chaps miss him, he was so 
 cheery. 
 
 14 March. 
 
 I was not there when Lieutenant Tait was 
 killed, but carried him into hospital. 
 
 30 March. 
 
 All the chaps seem to miss Lieutenant Tait ; he 
 was one of our best officers, and was always so 
 bright and cheery, and made you feel as if you was 
 the same as himself. 
 
 From Private David Rowat, 2nd Bat- 
 talion Black Watch 
 
 We lost in our regiment two officers and one 
 man ; eight wounded. One of the officers was 
 Mr. Tait, as you speak of; he was shot through the 
 chest. We buried him before we left, and decorated 
 his grave with plants and stones the best way we 
 could. You will see it in the papers before you 
 get this letter. 
 
 In a letter received from a private of the 
 Black Watch by his parents in Pittenweem, 
 giving an account of the part taken by the 
 
 224
 
 A Record 
 
 Highland Brigade in the engagement on 
 Koodoosberg Hill, he says 
 
 Out of my company (H) we had six wounded 
 and one of our officers was killed. I think you will 
 know him Lieutenant Tait, the great golfer. He 
 was well liked by the company, and I tell you he 
 adored it as well. When we carried him over the 
 rocks at night there were a good many tears shed. 
 He was buried at Koodoosberg Drift, and we made 
 a little cross for his head. He was a good officer, 
 and always had a smile on his face. Our company 
 would have followed him anywhere. 
 
 On Monday, February I2th, the first 
 rumour of Tait's death reached London, in 
 a telegram from the correspondent of the 
 Morning Post. Throughout the whole day 
 eager enquirers visited the War Office, try- 
 ing to elicit information from the authorities ; 
 but no news had been officially received. 
 Never throughout the course of the war 
 had so many enquiries been made about 
 any officer. 
 
 Although the authorities telegraphed for 
 information, no news was received, the War 
 Office replying to all enquiries that, as Tait's 
 death had not been reported to them, they 
 saw no reason to credit the rumour. As 
 the days passed and still no confirmation 
 came, the hope arose and began to grow 
 almost into a certainty that some mistake 
 had been made by the Morning Post corres- 
 
 225 p
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 pendent. Though no news was even yet 
 received at the War Office, all hope was 
 gone when, on February I4th, Professor Tait 
 received an unsigned telegram from Wynberg 
 Hospital saying : 
 
 " Freddie killed instantaneously." 
 
 It afterwards transpired that the telegram 
 had been sent by Tait's old friend, Lieutenant 
 Wauchope, who had been severely wounded 
 at Magersfontein.* 
 
 It is impossible to describe the universal 
 feeling of sorrow which the intimation of Tait's 
 death brought to the whole of Scotland, and 
 to many who knew him elsewhere. But one 
 name was on everyone's lips, but one thought 
 in the hearts of all who knew him. It would 
 be impossible to attempt to chronicle the 
 feeling of universal sympathy for his family, 
 and the deep sense of personal loss which was 
 felt by all. No word of sympathy was more 
 appreciated by Tait's family than the simple 
 note from Freddie's old friend Mr. W. Greig, 
 of the St. Andrews Golf Club, while the letter 
 from the secretary of that club is so pregnant 
 with the thoughts which filled the hearts of 
 a thousand golfers, that I venture to reproduce 
 it here. 
 
 * A Memorial Fund was at once started, and the sum of 1,500 
 was soon raised. This will be mainly devoted to building a new 
 v ing for the Cottage Hospital at St. Andrews. 
 
 226
 
 A Record 
 
 St. Andrews Golf Club, 
 
 February ig. 
 Dear Professor Tait, 
 
 The Members of the St. Andrews Golf Club 
 desire, through me, to respectfully tender yourself, 
 Mrs. Tait, and family, their sincere sympathy in this 
 your time of sorrow. We are but humble working 
 men of dear old St. Andrews to whom Freddie 
 Tait was something apart from all other men. Not 
 alone by his golfing abilities was he so, for of no 
 other golfer of this generation could it ever be said 
 that they possessed the love and hero-worship 
 which was so readily given to your soldier son. 
 Yours most respectfully, 
 
 ALEXANDER MILNE, 
 
 Hon. Sec. 
 
 The following letters, written shortly after- 
 wards, express the love and admiration which 
 Tait's brother-officers felt for him. 
 
 Wynberg Hospital, 
 
 February 13. 
 Dear Mrs. Tait, 
 
 Just a line to say how we all feel poor 
 Freddie's death, and how deeply we all sympathize 
 with you. 
 
 He was, as you know, my Subaltern, and, I sup- 
 pose, was commanding my Company on that fatal 
 day. It may be a small consolation to you to 
 know he was killed instantaneously and suffered 
 no pain. Wauchope sent you a wire to that effect 
 from here yesterday. 
 
 I think I may number myself amongst the 
 greatest friends he had in the Regiment we always 
 
 227 p 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 got on splendidly together, and the Battalion will 
 never be the same without him ; in fact, the poor 
 Regiment will be hardly recognizable after this 
 horrible war is over; it is heartbreaking to think 
 about it. 
 
 With the deepest sympathy for yourself and 
 the Professor, 
 
 I remain, 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 ARCHIBALD R. CAMERON. 
 
 Wegdraii, 
 
 15 February, 1900. 
 My dear Professor, 
 
 It was with the greatest sorrow that I for- 
 warded to you from Modder River on February 12, 
 registered, a small box, containing dear old Freddie's 
 watch, cap-badge, skene dhu, diary, notebook, 
 whistle, three keys, two little charms, garters, sleeve 
 links, cheque book, packet of letters, pipe and 
 tobacco pouch, purse, hackle, pair of scissors, and 
 Mauser cartridge. These articles were all on his 
 person when he was killed. His valise, and any 
 kit which he had stored in Cape Town, I have 
 ordered to be sent home to you, and will, I hope, 
 arrive safely. I thought you would prefer to have 
 them. His claymore, revolver, and Sam Browne 
 belt are stored at De Aar with all of ours, as we 
 carry rifles, and are dressed the same as the men. 
 They will be sent to you some day, but I cannot 
 promise you when. It is impossible to get at them 
 at present. I cannot find words to express the very 
 great sympathy which I feel for you and your family 
 in your terrible bereavement, and in saying this, 
 I only express the feeling of every officer and man 
 
 -228
 
 . 
 
 ***? 
 
 fa 
 
 e* 
 
 LETTER FROM "NAILS" FOUND IN TAIT'S POCKET 
 AT KOOD005BERQH
 
 A Record 
 
 in the Battalion. We all loved your son ; his was 
 such a bright, cheery nature. Through all the hard 
 work of this arduous campaign he was always the 
 same so keen, so light-hearted. I tell you, his loss 
 to us we shall not get over. We all mourn with 
 you in your great sorrow. He was such a very dear 
 fellow. I think I knew him specially well, and 
 I could not possibly feel his death more acutely 
 had he been my own brother. He died nobly, doing 
 his duty, leading his Company up that awful kopje. 
 It is some sort of comfort to know that his death 
 was instantaneous. He was shot in the right 
 breast, and exclaimed, " They have got me at last," 
 and was gone. He is buried on the banks of the 
 Riet River, close to where he and I bathed together 
 the previous day, when he was just like a school 
 boy, larking in the water, and so thoroughly enjoy- 
 ing it. One of our fellows took a photograph of 
 the grave, which I shall forward to you some day, 
 when we can get it printed. 
 
 My dear Professor, I grieve for you and yours 
 from the bottom of my heart. To us, dear old 
 Freddie's loss is quite irreparable. 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 T. MOWBRAY BERKELEY. 
 
 Paardeberg Drift, 
 
 23 February, 1900. 
 My dear Tait, 
 
 I cannot express to you how grieved we all 
 are at the loss of your brother who was killed at 
 Koodoosberg, and how we sympathise with you and 
 your family in your great loss. Freddie was shot in 
 the right breast, and it must have remained in his 
 back as there was only one bullet mark. 
 
 229
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 He was mercifully killed at once, without any 
 pain. I saw his body when it was brought in, and 
 his face had its usual expression, and he looked 
 almost as if he were smiling. He was buried at 
 Koodoosberg, and I hope later that we will be able 
 to give you a photo of his grave. I would have 
 written sooner, but we have been on the march and 
 fighting ever since, and even now I see no chance of 
 getting this letter away for the present. 
 
 I have to thank you for your letter about the two 
 boxes, both of which have arrived and have been 
 distributed to the N.C.O.'s and men according to 
 instructions from Mr. Wauchope. Your brother 
 personally saw to the distribution of both boxes, as 
 he knew more about them than anybody else here. 
 
 Please convey the thanks of the Regiment to all 
 those who so kindly contributed and collected the 
 goods for us, and I can assure you their kindness 
 was much appreciated. 
 
 With my deepest sympathy to you and all your 
 family in your terrible loss, 
 
 Believe me, my dear Tait, 
 Yours very sincerely, 
 
 JOHN E. H. HAMILTON. 
 
 Letters of condolence and sympathy to 
 his parents came in hundreds from all ranks 
 and conditions of men and women, all breath- 
 ing the same thought, expressed in different 
 ways. It would be out of place to produce 
 many of them here, and unnecessary, for 
 everyone must know the message they con- 
 tained. I will therefore close this last chapter 
 of Tait's life-story with a letter just received 
 
 230
 
 A Record 
 
 from Major Archibald Urmston, of the Ma- 
 rines, who tells me some incidents of no small 
 interest about his old friend and comrade-in- 
 arms. 
 
 I only saw Freddie once or twice before Magers- 
 fontein, one occasion being the very evening before 
 the attack. Amongst others present were Wolfe- 
 Murray (7ist), poor Macfarlan and Colonel Coode. 
 We were talking about the impending fight, and the 
 chances of getting hit, and Freddie, amongst other 
 remarks said, it would just be a golfer's luck to be 
 hit somewhere bad in the arm, and so finish his 
 golfing career. Well, next day two out of that party 
 (poor Colonel Coode and Macfarlan) were no more. 
 Wolfe- Murray got hit in the wrist, and Freddie in 
 the leg ; but as he said afterwards it wasn't so bad, 
 as he and Wolfe-Murray were sent back to the hos- 
 pital at Wynberg, and, when convalescent, had some 
 good times before rejoining, amongst which was a visit 
 to Commander Erskine Wemyss on board H.M.S. 
 Niobe. Here the}- made the Christmas evening 
 hideous to all but stout-hearted (or eared) Scotsmen, 
 by giving a skirl on the pipes, Freddie being the chief 
 culprit. His account of being struck by the bullet, 
 was that it felt as if someone had mistaken that par- 
 ticular spot for a football, and had duly administered 
 a good drop kick. Not being able to do much else 
 he managed to get into a kind of hollow some 
 300 yards off the Boer trenches, and, like Micawber, 
 just waited for " something to turn up." His patience 
 was rewarded after some seven hours of the doubtful 
 pleasure of being made a target of at intervals by 
 some of the more enterprising of the enemy, but it is 
 only fair to state that Master Freddie rather brought 
 
 231
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 it on himself, as he had his gun handy, and let fly at 
 the top of the trenches whenever he saw even the 
 shadow of a hat. He never got a right shot at a 
 fairly exposed target, which he didn't seem to think 
 was quite " cricket." His logic was, " I gave them 
 a fair shot (or rather, many shots) at me, and I fancy 
 I ought to have one at least in return." Anyhow he 
 gave this sort of amusement up after an hour or two, 
 as the only result of his firing, as far as he could 
 reckon, was to draw several shots all round him. 
 The final decision to " quit sniping " was made, 
 when one of these most unpolite of enemies landed a 
 bullet pretty near where his tail would have grown 
 had he been a monkey. Fortunately, not having 
 one, he couldn't lose it, but he had no less than 
 27 holes drilled through the plaits of his kilt instead ; 
 so, as I said before, he " quit sniping," and got to 
 smoking cigarettes as a diversion, and pondering 
 over events in general, and his somewhat undesirable 
 situation in particular. If my memory does not play 
 me false, I think he passed the odd intervals between 
 " smokes " in sundry forty winks. 
 
 Anyhow, after a fortnight or three weeks, he 
 returned once more to Modder River, and rejoined 
 his Regiment (which had suffered terribly severe loss 
 at Magersfontein). His first jump was a desire to 
 see the position the Highland Brigade attacked. 
 I had various detachments with guns on the ground 
 overlooking Magersfontein, and being so constantly 
 there, I knew a good deal about the Boers and their 
 position, which was about 5,000 yards distant. So 
 we went up one day Freddie, Harvey (Black 
 Watch), and myself, to take a look at Magers- 
 fontein. 
 
 Even then it took them much consultation and 
 
 232
 
 A Record 
 
 scratching of heads as to whether the Highland 
 Brigade had attacked on the side of the spur nearest 
 to our position, or "just round the corner." How- 
 ever, after much thought as to " this, that, or 
 something else," they concluded it must have been 
 "just round the corner," in which decision I have 
 no doubt they were right. It must be remembered 
 it was dark during their advance to the attack, and 
 kopjes all look much the same. 
 
 Another time, Freddie told me his colonel 
 (Carthew-Yorstoun) would like very much to go 
 round the batteries and see the various points of 
 interest. We arranged a day, and on picking them 
 up, found Frederick was perched up on horseback, 
 though he confided to me going out that he hardly 
 reckoned riding as one of his strongest points. 
 Anyhow, if he hadn't said so, one would not have 
 noticed anything wrong, as man and beast stuck 
 together in quite a friendly way ; and it wasn't for 
 want of pace, as, being short of time, we went up 
 to the Naval 4*7 Battery at a good sharp gallop. 
 But Freddie was there all the time, and apparently 
 enjoyed himself A I. I never saw him outside a 
 horse again. 
 
 It was almost an afternoon custom to go out 
 somewhere or other to escape sand storms, flies, 
 etc., if possible. Up the river was the best and 
 most pleasant place, but it was hard to get Freddie 
 away from the batteries ; and he was fairly tickled 
 when he was allowed to pull the lanyard of the 
 R.M.A. 4*7 gun, and send a lyddite into the Boer 
 trenches, always hoping it was a " good putt " 
 (certainly a good long one). He was always trying 
 to egg Major Nichols, of the R.A. Siege Battery, 
 to " give it them." Nichols used to ask him if he 
 
 233
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 could see anything worth firing at. By Freddie's 
 showing, there must have been whole armies of 
 Boers marching and counter-marching behind their 
 works, not to speak of whole convoys of waggons, 
 etc. No doubt they were there, as Freddie made 
 out, only the most powerful telescopes failed to 
 locate these hordes sufficiently accurately to warrant 
 Nichols in distributing his ammunition over a few 
 square miles of country on the " off chance," be- 
 sides which, Nichols, to use the vulgar boy's phrase, 
 " had been there before." On our homeward jour- 
 neys, Freddie would own to having seen, perhaps, 
 some half-a-dozen Boer warriors at most, or, 
 anyhow, he thought they might have been Boers. 
 The Highland Brigade left Modder about break 
 of day on February 3rd, to hold the drift at 
 Koodoosberg. It was the last time I ever saw the 
 poor old boy. I was up to see off my brother 
 (A. and S. Highlanders), who was then Brigade 
 Major to General Hector Macdonald, commanding 
 the Highland Brigade, so I saw both him and 
 Freddie, and walked a bit of the way with the latter, 
 who was, of course, marching with his Company 
 on foot. He was full of go and keenness to '" have 
 at " his friends again. He was carrying a service 
 carbine, on which he placed great reliance and 
 value, saying, he intended to be level with the 
 men who beat him at Magersfontein, or some of 
 their fellows. The poor old boy, he no doubt did 
 his best, and most likely succeeded, but at far too 
 great a cost, as he never returned from Koodoos- 
 berg, where his grave now lies, and will no doubt 
 be held in reverent memory by every man, woman, 
 and child who knew him. Always cheery, always 
 the same genial and happy disposition, taking such 
 
 234
 
 A Record 
 
 keen interest in everything, and one of the most 
 charming of companions. 
 
 Tait was buried in a quiet and beautiful 
 spot hard by the Riet River, with comrades 
 who had fallen with him comrades in rest as 
 in work. A small cross marks the spot, the 
 left-hand one of a group of three, and behind 
 and around are trees, and greenness, and 
 freshness, all rendered more pleasant by con- 
 trast with the sandy barrenness of the sur- 
 rounding country. At the grave side stood his 
 Highland company, hardly a man with eye 
 undimmed. In death, as in life, a singular 
 sweetness of expression was noticed on his 
 face, for there had been no pain, no parting, 
 no sorrow of regret for friends left behind ; in 
 a moment the passing had taken place, and 
 left his outward form unchanged. " Rest 
 is good after the work is done," and Tait 
 seemed to be tasting a little of its sweets 
 before entering into the greater sphere of 
 work which lay before him. 
 
 " How sleep the brave, who sink to rest 
 By all their country's wishes blest ! 
 When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
 Returns to deck their hallowed mould, 
 She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
 Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. 
 
 By fairy hands their knell is rung, 
 By forms unseen their dirge is sung : 
 There Honour comes, a pilgrim gray, 
 To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; 
 And Freedom shall awhile repair 
 To dwell a weeping hermit there ! " 
 
 235
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Thus we leave what was mortal of the 
 brave and lovable soldier, far out in the rolling 
 veldt, simply resting resting after his short 
 life's work was done. Himself, his real life, the 
 soul we knew, with its cheery brightness, its 
 honour and its love shining through the keen, 
 kind eyes that lives on in the hearts of a 
 thousand friends a great inheritance, a pos- 
 session indestructible. 
 
 The life cut short, its military side almost 
 undeveloped, its future unknown these must 
 be sad thoughts ; for Tait had not yet 
 come to his fulness, and there were much 
 greater things which he would have done 
 had he been allowed ; but that was not to 
 be. But there is a brighter side he died 
 the death he would have chosen, he went 
 quickly to rejoin his old friends, a goodly 
 company who had fallen at Magersfontein. 
 He died the true soldier's death too soon, 
 indeed his work not yet done, but still the 
 true soldier's death. 
 
 If all life be not a gigantic anticlimax, 
 Freddie has gone forward with many a trusty 
 comrade to that unknown land where there is 
 no seeming failure, and no incompleteness, to 
 the land of all fulness. He will enrich it with 
 his presence. 
 
 THE END. 
 236
 
 APPENDIX 1. 
 
 RECORDS OF CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES, 
 
 ETC. 
 
 I HAVE deemed it inexpedient in the story of Tait's 
 life to burden the pages with accounts of the great 
 matches he played in the Amateur Championship. 
 That golfers in the future should be able to find 
 some account of his historic tussles, collected for sake of 
 reference, I append the following descriptions of games 
 which are likely to be of more than passing interest. 
 Though I saw most of the matches which are detailed 
 in this Appendix, I have not thought it necessary to 
 describe them anew, considering that the accounts, 
 written at the time, would, for the purposes of reference, 
 be more satisfactory than fresh descriptions re-written 
 from memory after the lapse of several years. The 
 records are taken mainly from the reports in the Field, 
 the Scotsman, Golf, and the Times. They do not claim to 
 be more than scrapbook cuttings, but have the advantage 
 of being the first impressions of the writers. 
 
 I have omitted descriptions of stroke play, as this 
 variation of the game of golf has little interest when 
 detailed. Two accounts will, however, be found of 
 Tait's record scores at St. Andrews ; the one of his 
 medal record, the other of his famous record of 72 made 
 in 1894; the last-named being taken from Mr. Everard's 
 description in Golf. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1892, PLAYED AT 
 
 SANDWICH. 
 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT, a bye. 
 znd round. F. A. FAIRLIE beat F. G. TAIT by i hole. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. FAIRLIE. 
 
 The second round was decided in the afternoon, and the best 
 matches were those between Mr. F. G. Tait and Mr. F. A. Fairlie,
 
 F. G. Tak 
 
 Mr. A. D. Blyth and Mr. W. E. Fairlie, and Mr. H. G. Hutchinson 
 and Mr. N. R. Foster. Mr. F. G. Tail won the first and second holes, 
 halved the third, Mr. Fairlie won the fourth and fifth, the sixth was 
 halved in three, the seventh was won by Mr. Tait, and the eighth 
 was halved, the ninth Mr. Fairlie won. At the thirteenth hole 
 Mr. Tait was three up, but Mr. Fairlie, by excellent putting, took 
 the next three holes, making them all square at the sixteenth. 
 At the seventeenth Mr. Fairlie was nearly stimied, but he holed. 
 Going to the eighteenth Mr. Tait was away to the left, but Mr. 
 Fairlie was dead straight in his drive. Mr. Fairlie played a beau- 
 tiful second just over the bunker, and it ran dead, a " three" hole 
 winning him the tie by the narrow majority of one hole. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1893, PLAYED AT 
 PRESTWICK. 
 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT, a bye. 
 
 2nd round. F. G. TAIT beat H. H. HILTON by 3 and 2. 
 yd round. F. G. TAIT beat L. M. BALFOUR by 2 and i. 
 4*/ round. F. G. TAIT beat W. GREIG by 2 and i. 
 Semi-final. J. E. LAIDLAY beat F. G. TAIT by i after a tie. 
 
 Writing at the time, Mr. John Kerr thus comments 
 on the play Golf, May 1893 : 
 
 Next to the actual Champion the most remarkable figure in the 
 Championship was that of another young player, Mr. F. G. Tait. 
 Had he vanquished Mr. Laidlay, as he was within an ace of doing, 
 he and not Mr. Anderson might have been Champion. In our 
 opinion the Champion has Mr. Tait in part to thank for his victory, 
 for the keen contest which Mr. Laidlay had to come through with 
 that dashing young soldier -golfer before he reached the final, gave 
 the divinity student a better chance of beating him. Mr. Laidlay 
 did not seem wearied, but the great effort required of him at the 
 close of the final seemed slightly to suffer, because a similar effort 
 had been required in his contest with Mr. Tait. 
 
 Over the field Mr. Tait's driving could only be described by 
 Dominie Sampson's word "prodigious." So sweetly the ball left 
 the club, and so far and sure did it soar, it was indeed " a sicht for 
 sair een," and if even a Blackwell beats it we shall be surprised. 
 Certainly it was not beaten or equalled by any at Prestwick. 
 Mr. Tait generally started his round by allowing his opponent to 
 get three ahead. Whether this was due to nervousness, which he 
 gradually got rid of by the copious incense of his briar-root, or 
 whether by parting company with the tobacco pipe, he might, if 
 he had chosen, have avoided being three down, and thus become 
 
 238
 
 Champion we cannot judge ; but that he has the Championship in 
 him no one who saw him play at Prest wick can have the slightest doubt. 
 There is a dash and daring about his golf, and, if he only carries the 
 same with him as a soldier, he will certainly win renown for himself in 
 the army. Of all the players at Prestwick, we should say, from what 
 we saw of him, that he was the most genial and goodhearted. 
 
 His victory would certainly have been a popular one. The 
 hearty shake of the hand he gave to Mr. Greig, a workman-player, 
 who fought well against him in one round, and his kindly way with 
 the wee "hirplin" caddie who carried for him, were to us very 
 inning touches. That such a fine young player should have come 
 so well forward was one of the most pleasing features of this 
 Championship meeting. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. HILTON. 
 
 While there were a number of matches in the second stage 
 which gave promise of some close play, unquestionably most 
 interest centred in the meeting between Mr. F. G. Tait who has 
 made a mark for himself before now by the form he has shown at 
 St. Andrews and Mr. Hilton, whose high position among amateur 
 players was so fully established in the Open Championship Tour- 
 nament last year. A large crowd followed the match, and in their 
 expectation of seeing a fine exposition of the game they were not 
 disappointed, for although, undoubtedly, both players made mis- 
 takes, the play was well worth following. Mr. Tait began magnifi- 
 cently. He had a very pretty approach to the Cemetery the first 
 hole and he excelled himself on the green. Giving his long putt 
 every chance, he kept the line all the way, and was down in three. 
 Mr. Hilton, good as his approach was, could not equal this, and 
 the lead went to his opponent; but the advantage was shortlived. 
 The second hole is short, and an easy loft brings the player to the 
 green. It was while on the green that Mr. Tait failed. To begin 
 with, Mr. Hilton had laid a long putt dead, and it was apparent 
 that the hole at best could be nothing but a half for the other 
 player. When matters stood in this position, Mr. Tait played with 
 bad judgment. He took the wrong side of the hole, laid himself a 
 " stimie," and to get a half in three was beyond his powers. Cross- 
 ing the Cardinal, Mr. Hilton had the better second, and he was 
 well up in three, while in that figure Mr. Tait was short of the 
 green. The advantage which the champion thus gained he took 
 care to keep. He was down in five, while Mr. Tait took six, and he 
 led by a hole. This lead he further improved at the Black 
 Bridge. Mr. Tait did not play the hole altogether as it ought to 
 have been played ; but in order to win it Mr. Hilton had something 
 like a " stimie " to negotiate. It did not prove very troublesome, 
 
 239
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and he got down in four, and now stood two up. The " Himalayas " 
 to players of this calibre is a quite possible three, and in three it 
 would have been halved, had not Mr. Tait missed an easy putt 
 when a half was almost in his hands. Playing the approach from 
 the Elysian Fields, Mr. Hilton kept too much to the left, and he 
 was not on the green in his second. Mr. Tait took a better line, 
 and though his opponent played the next a nasty stroke well, 
 the advantage was still on his side ; but he gave it away by being 
 short in his long putt, and Mr. Hilton got a lucky half in five. For 
 this however the Royal and Ancient representative made ample 
 amends at the railway. He had the hole in a perfect three, and 
 deservedly won it, reducing the lead against him to two holes. 
 Monkton was characterised by indifferent putting on both sides, 
 and Mr. Hilton was again far from deadly on the green at the turn. 
 So badly, indeed, did he hole out that he threw away his chance of 
 a half, and Mr. Tait had the satisfaction of beginning the homeward 
 journey only a hole down. With a strong long game the first hole 
 "in " should be done in five. A five it was for Mr. Tait ; but his 
 opponent left himself too much to do on the green, and taking six, 
 he had the mortification of seeing the last of his lead knocked off. 
 From this point the match assumed an altogether different face to 
 what it had borne. Instead of the Hoylake player being the 
 aggressor, the running was taken up by his opponent. Both 
 carried the " Himalayas " in fine style, but the advantage in the 
 approach lay altogether with Mr. Tait. Handling the iron magni- 
 ficently, he lay within possible holing distance in two, and 
 Mr. Hilton had the long odds to play on the green. Knowing the 
 necessity of being up, he gave the putt " plenty " and a little faulty 
 in line, it overran the hole. He had to play two more, and got 
 down in four. It now remained for Mr. Tait to play one of two. 
 He did it to such purpose that he got down, and for the second 
 time in the match led by a hole. The hazard at the next the 
 twelfth hole is the wall in front of the green. This is a difficulty 
 which can only be negotiated by a deft use of the iron. At this 
 point, Mr. Hilton did what for him is a most unusual thing he 
 altogether miscalculated the distance. The ball hit the top of 
 the wall, and fell back into sand. He tried again to get across, but 
 without success, and his case becoming more hopeless still, he 
 elected to give up the hole without playing it out, because Mr. Tait 
 lay very nicely on the green in three. The next hole however was 
 probably the turning point of the match. It is a good five at any 
 time, and it seemed when both players went forward to the green, 
 that it would be halved in that figure ; but Mr. Tait came away in 
 great style. He holed a magnificent long putt, got down in four, 
 and stood three up with five to play. A half in five followed, 
 
 240
 
 A Record 
 
 and amid increasing excitement on the part of the crowd, the 
 players approached the fourth last hole. Mr. Hilton lost ground 
 considerably by "duffing" his approach, but he made a fine 
 recovery, and when each had played three there was little to draw 
 between them. The hole was played out without incident. It was 
 a half in five, and Mr. Tait stood in the comfortable position of 
 " dormie " three. The end came at the third last hole, for although 
 Mr. Tait gave his opponent a distinct chance by failing in the first 
 instance with his approach, Mr. Hilton on his part missed a putt 
 which would have given him the hole in four. It was halved, and 
 the match was Mr. Tait's by three up with two to play. 
 
 Mr. Tait played a remarkably powerful long game. "Far and 
 sure " though the Hoylake player drove, he found himself often out- 
 distanced by ten or fifteen yards. Perhaps however it was on the 
 putting greens that the Open Champion towards the close of the 
 match failed most. He was not playing with the confidence which 
 was so characteristic of his game at Muirfield last autumn, and 
 indeed all round he was under his game. Still, a golfer of his class 
 is never an easy nut to crack, and great credit belongs to Mr. Tait 
 for so distinguishing himself to-day. The scores in the match, 
 giving Mr. Hilton a nine for the twelfth hole, are : 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out 3 46545355 = 4- 
 In 5 354555- 
 
 Mr. Hilton : Out 4 35435456 = 39. 
 In 6 495555- 
 
 MR. LAIDLAY v MR. TAIT. 
 
 Circumstances combined to invest the match between Messrs. 
 Laidlay and Tait with special interest, for the former is a player 
 who has proved his prowess on many fields, and Mr. Tait's brilliant 
 appearance has been one of the features of the meeting. A large 
 crowd, eager and critical, followed the play. Up to the turn, 
 although Mr. Laidlay had the best of the game, there was not a 
 great deal in the match. Mr. Tait, two down there, succeeded in 
 squaring matters at the " Dyke," the twelfth hole, and the game 
 assumed an interesting phase, for the next two holes being halved, 
 there were but four holes remaining. On the fourth last green, 
 Mr. Laidlay once more forged ahead. It was only a momen- 
 tary advantage, for a great putt gave Mr. Tait the next hole in 
 three. The excitement among the spectators was now great, and 
 it was rendered more intense when the last two holes were splen- 
 didly halved in four, and the match resulted in a tie. There was 
 nothing for it but to play on till one or other of the players won 
 a hole. The result was not long in doubt. A hole decided matters. 
 
 241 Q
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Mr. Tail's long putt at the Cemetery was on the strong side, and 
 as his opponent's odds had laid him three feet from the hole, 
 Mr. Tait had this a four-foot putt for a half. He did not get 
 it, and Mr. Laidlay had only to hole out in four, to win the closest 
 of matches. The scores, approximating where the holes were not 
 played out were : 
 
 Mr. Laidlay : Out, 52655434 6=40. 
 
 In, 65654444 4=42 ; total, 82. 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 45764445 5=44. 
 
 In, 64554534 4=40 ; total, 84. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1894, PLAYED AT 
 
 HOYLAKE. 
 
 is/ round F. G. TAIT beat J. G. Gibson by 7 and 6. 
 znd round. F. G. TAIT beat H. G. HDTCHINSON by i after a tie. 
 yd round. F. G. TAIT beat R. B. SHARP by 5 and 3. 
 Semi-final round. S. MURE FERGDSSON beat F. G. TAIT by 4 
 
 and 3. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. HORACE HUTCHINSON. 
 
 The chief interest of the second round centred in the fight 
 between Mr. Tait and Mr. Horace Hutchinson. The former lost 
 the first two holes, according to his custom throughout the tourna- 
 ment, but playing the third and fourth very strongly through a 
 hailstorm, made matters square. At the seventh hole faulty 
 putting on the part of Mr. Hutchinson had put Mr. Tait two 
 ahead, but his own faulty driving lost him them again at the turn. 
 On the way home the fight was keen, Mr. Hutchinson playing steadily, 
 and Mr. Tait after occasional aberrations, making brilliant recoveries, 
 until at the end of the round they were all even and had to go out for 
 an extra hole. This hole Mr. Hutchinson looked like winning after the 
 second stroke, but Mr .Tait laid a long approach near, Mr. Hutchinson 
 overran, and after his opponent had holed out, failed to do likewise, 
 and lost a well-fought match by one at the nineteenth hole. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. HILTON. 
 
 On the morning of Thursday Mr. R. B. Sharp held Mr. Tait for 
 a while, but in the end the latter went away and beat him easily. 
 In the afternoon the great attraction was the match between 
 Mr. Tait and Mr. Hilton. Mr. Tait, of course, lost the first two 
 holes, but thereafter played with his usual pluck. His driving, 
 moreover, was better than in his match with Mr. Hutchinson, but 
 his putting and approaching were not quite so remarkable ; indeed, 
 his steadier driving left him less heroic efforts to make by way of 
 
 242
 
 A Record 
 
 recovery. A poor second shot of Mr. Hilton's to the fifteenth hole 
 went far to decide the match. At this point the players were all 
 even, but Mr. Hilton's worse-than-indifferent record went to ground 
 in a rabbit scrape. Mr. Tait won the hole, and never lost the 
 advantage, finishing i up on a finely-played match. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. MURE FERGUSSON. 
 
 The first round of the final day a perfect day for golf, though 
 rain fell nearly without interruption during the afternoon saw 
 Mr. Ball pitted against Mr. Laidlay, and Mr. Tait against Mr. Mure 
 Fergusson. The former seemed to promise a very good fight ; the 
 latter was generally thought to be a comparatively easy matter for 
 Mr. Tait. Mr. Tait at once, as usual, fell two behind, but recap- 
 tured the lost holes quickly and took the lead, only, however, to 
 have it worried away from him :by Mr. Mure Fergusson's persis- 
 tency. Until near the finish the play was not good, but after 
 Mr. Fergusson, striking the top of the bunker going to the short 
 hole, had won this hole somewhat luckily, and so put himself two 
 up, he played the next hole brilliantly, and finished the match at 
 the fifteenth hole, four up and three to play. There is no doubt 
 that Mr. Tait was a little broken in nerve by the severity of his 
 previous matches. He had fallen into a tough place in the draw 
 and was suffering from the effects of his hard work. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1895, PLAYED AT 
 
 ST. ANDREWS. 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT, a bye. 
 
 znd round. F. G. TAIT beat J. E. LAIDLAY by 5 and 3. 
 yd round. F. G. TAIT beat A. STUART by 6 and 4. 
 Semi-final round. J. BALL, junr., beat F. G. TAIT by 5 and 3. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. LAIDLAY. 
 
 In this match the play at times was brilliant. Mr. Laidlay 
 however was a bit off his driving, and was not nearly so straight 
 as usual, while his putting was very often faulty. Mr. Tait, on the 
 other hand, played with his accustomed dash, the feature of his 
 game being the extraordinary accuracy with which he approached 
 the hole. At least 500 spectators watched the game with great 
 interest. The first hole was played to perfection. A drive and an 
 iron shot found both golfers over the burn on the green, and a half 
 in four was the natural result. Mr. Tait kept the line better than 
 his opponent from the tee to the second hole, but both got home in 
 two. The St. Andrews man made the better approach to the hole 
 and had an easy four, Mr. Laidlay leaving himself with too much 
 to do to get a half. Mr. Tait approached the third hole in fine 
 
 243 Q 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 style, and was only two yards to the left of the hole in two, while 
 Mr. Laidlay was fifteen yards over. The latter's third stroke was 
 weak, while Mr. Tait touched the lip of the hole. The Honour- 
 able Company representative made a bad putt, and Mr. Tait had 
 no difficulty in placing himself two up the first three holes costing 
 him only four each. The fourth hole was halved in five after equal 
 play, and the Long Hole was divided in six, the play on the green 
 being faulty, more particularly as regards Mr. Tait. Mr. Laidlay 
 lost a shot by getting bunkered with his tee shot going to the sixth 
 hole, and Mr. Tait playing it in par four stood three up, his 
 opponent requiring five. Although Mr. Tait was bunkered at the 
 Ginger Beer hole by drawing his drive, he got well out, and, aided 
 by a missed putt on the part of the ex-champion, he was able to 
 claim a half in five. The Short Hole was an unfortunate one for 
 the St. Andrews player. Taking his cleek, he got too much curl 
 on the ball, and dropped into a nasty bunker. After making two 
 ineffectual attempts to get out, he lifted his ball, Mr. Laidlay having 
 had an easy three on. The out hole was remarkable for the very 
 fine performance of Mr. Laidlay. Driving from the tee, he toed 
 his ball, and landed among rough ground. He got a fair distance 
 with his second shot, but still was unable to get clear of the bents. 
 With his third, however, he landed on the green from ten to fifteen 
 yards over the hole ; Mr. Tait being comfortably situated some six 
 yards from the hole in two, Mr. Laidlay had to play two more, and, 
 approaching the hole with a beautiful putt, the ball found its way 
 to the bottom, leaving Mr. Tait a nasty putt to win the hole in 
 three. The St. Andrews man was unable for the task, and 
 accordingly he turned two up. Mr. Laidlay's drive to the tenth 
 hole was off the line, while Mr. Tait had one of his long, straight 
 swipes. Mr. Laidlay was past the hole with his second, and 
 Mr. Tait landed his on the green. Mr. Laidlay's third was short, 
 and Mr. Tait, holing out a long putt, won the hole in three to his 
 opponent's five. The eleventh hole should in ordinary circum- 
 stances have gone to Mr. Tait, for his partner found himself in a 
 bunker. Mr. Tait, however, putted very weakly, and allowed his 
 opponent to secure a half in four. Mr. Laidlay had again the 
 misfortune to make the acquaintance of sand from the tee, but 
 Mr. Tait foozled his second shot, and each player approached the 
 hole on an equal footing. Mr. Laidlay, however, failed to get up 
 the ridge before the hole, while Mr. Tait succeeded, and eventually 
 ran down a long putt, adding another point to his lead. Mr. Tait 
 was now four up and six to play. The green play at the thirteenth 
 and fourteenth holes was faulty, Mr. Laidlay missing a short putt 
 at the former, and Mr. Tait following his example at the latter. 
 Halves in six were declared, and Mr. Tait stood dormie four. The 
 
 244
 
 A Record 
 
 match finished at the fifteenth hole. Both were on the green in 
 three, and, while Mr. Laidlay had a chance of winning the hole, he 
 should at least have got a half. He, however, failed to hole out an 
 easy shot, and Mr. Tait finished five up and three to play. 
 Mr. Tail's victory was a highly popular one. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. BALL. 
 The following account is taken from the Field : 
 
 This now left as survivors Ball, Tait, Leslie Balfour Melville, 
 Auchterlonie, to play the semi-final, which was entered upon at 
 two o'clock. Ball had Tait as his opponent. Those who had been 
 looking forward to the probable meeting of. the two men prophesied 
 a brilliant struggle, but it was a very disappointing and one-sided 
 contest. By the time the match started the crowd had gathered 
 thousands strong, and although a rope was stretched across the 
 course, and policemen and committeemen endeavoured to keep 
 order, their efforts were unavailing, and for the first few holes it 
 was just a rush to secure a vantage place at the next green. Ball 
 was accustomed to this sort of work, but Tait, although he had 
 previously played with a crowd at his back, was evidently put out. 
 He was, as usual, particularly strong in his driving, but was 
 deficient in his approaches, and especially in his putting. Ball 
 carried the first three holes right off. A stoppage to this victorious 
 career took place at the fourth green, but Tait all the way out was 
 only able to secure halves, and at the turn, after six holes had been 
 divided, Ball was still leading by three holes. The scores out were 
 43 and 46 respectively. Another half followed at the first home- 
 ward green. Ball carried the high hole in three, and was now four 
 up and seven to play. Three other halves after this followed, and 
 Tait saw his chance become smaller and smaller as the match 
 neared home. The match ended at the fourth last green, Ball 
 getting down a long putt by five and three to play. Ball had played, 
 despite the crowd who were pressing at his heels, as a machine, and 
 if he did make a mistake, and was punished, he never failed to 
 recover himself with his accustomed adroitness. Tait, it should 
 be mentioned, had a lot of bad luck to contend against. 
 
 - AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1896, PLAYED AT 
 
 SAxNDWICH. 
 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT beat C. G. BROADWOOD by 7 and 6. 
 2nd round. F. G. TAIT beat C. HUTCHINGS by 4 and 3. 
 yd round. F. G. TAIT beat J. E. LAIDLAY by 3 and i. 
 4*A round. F. G. TAIT beat J. BALL, Jun., by 5 and 4. 
 ^th round. F. G. TAIT beat H. G. HUTCHINSON by 3 and 2. 
 6th round. F. G. TAIT beat H. H. HILTON by 8 and 7. 
 
 245
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 The following descriptions are taken from the 
 Scotsman : 
 
 MR. TAIT Y MR. HUTCHINGS. 
 
 The match between Mr. Tait and Mr. Hutchings, which was also 
 of an international character, was scarcely so well contested, but at 
 the same time the latter did not accept defeat without making a 
 good fight. In the first instance it seemed that Mr. Tait's extra- 
 ordinary strong driving game might get him into trouble when the 
 wind was with him ; for at the very start he got a tremendous ball 
 away, and was trapped by a bunker which is not usually reached from 
 the tee. With a splendid recovery he had a four, and drew first blood. 
 He had another raking drive to the second hole, which, however, 
 carried into the rough. Though he did not make much of the 
 heavy lie, he won the hole, but Mr. Hutchings' approach was far 
 too strong. The hole over the " Sahara" was halved in four, and 
 Mr. Hutchings won the fourth in four, Mr. Tait playing it indiffer- 
 ently. Faultless play saw the fifth halved in three, and "The Maiden " 
 was faced with the Scottish amateur one up. He carried the 
 hazard in the teeth of the wind in grand style, and he practically 
 won the hole from the tee as his opponent drove slap into the face 
 of the hazard. A perfect four gave Mr. Hutchings the seventh, and 
 the Royal Liverpool player had the satisfaction of squaring the 
 match at the next hole, where Mr. Tait lost himself in " Hades." 
 A glaring mistake at the tee where Mr. Hutchings topped his ball 
 enabled his opponent to again secure the lead, and after the tenth 
 had been halved Mr. Tait gradually drew away. At the long sea 
 hole, where the force of the gale was most felt, he had his opponent 
 completely in hand. Out of the next four holes he won three, and 
 dormie four, he finished the match with a half at the fourth last. 
 Mr. Tait's score was : 
 
 Out, 454633555 = 40. 
 In, 5 4 6 5 7 5- 
 
 Omitting the sixth hole, Mr. Hutchings' figures were : 
 564530446556685. 
 
 Mr. F. G. TAIT (Black Watch) beat Mr. JOHN BALL (Royal 
 Liverpool) by five up and four to play. 
 
 Keen interest was taken in the encounter between Mr. Ball and 
 Mr. Tait, and the contest between them was the more interesting 
 because it was a pitched battle between two of the best-known 
 English and Scottish amateurs. The meeting gave Mr. Tait an 
 opportunity of wiping out the defeat which he suffered at the hands 
 of Mr. Ball a year ago at St. Andrews, when he was beaten by five 
 
 246
 
 A Record 
 
 up and three to play in the semi-final, and he did not fail to avail 
 himself of it. He came away with a brilliant game, and from the 
 very start held the lead, playing at the very top of his game. He 
 early secured an advantage, which he gradually increased, until it 
 was apparent that nothing but a complete breakdown on his part 
 could lose him the match. In approaching and on the greens, he 
 was especially brilliant, his putting indeed being faultless. It was 
 really on the greens and in his mashie play that he won the match, 
 for in the matter of driving there was nothing to draw between the 
 couple. A magnificent start was made with a half in four, 
 Mr. Ball playing a perfect wrist approach, after being a little wide 
 in his second, played from the rough. From the second tee 
 Mr. Tait kept well to the right to avoid the bunkers, and had a long 
 approach. Playing it admirably he was on the green in his second, 
 and Mr. Ball, who had placed his drive very prettily with the 
 " like," heeled badly, and was among bents to the right of the green. 
 He had still a four-foot putt for a half in four, but he failed to get it 
 down, and Mr. Tait, dead with a finely-played long putt, holed the 
 like, and assumed the lead. After crossing the " Sahara," Mr. Tait 
 had a fine chance offered him, for Mr. Ball was a bit wide and 
 short in his mashie approach. At the moment it seemed that he 
 was not to profit by the opportunity. He was desperately short 
 with his second, but he retrieved himself by holing out very prettily 
 in four, and was two up. Both were home with their seconds to 
 the fourth hole, and Mr. Ball had a nasty lie behind the green. 
 He made the most of it, and might have halved the hole in four, 
 had he not completely duffed his putt of five feet. Mr. Tait down 
 in four won the hole, and he played the next faultlessly in three, 
 and faced " The Maiden " four holes to the good, Mr. Ball having 
 sliced his drive into bad country in this case. Both carried the 
 hazard at the sixth hole, though not with too much to spare, and 
 giving the odds the Scotsman ran down a four-yard putt. Not to 
 be beaten, Mr. Ball holed the like from much the same distance 
 an excellently pretty piece of putting on the part of both. Both 
 were bunkered immediately before the seventh green, and both got 
 out without trouble. Mr. Ball's recovery was especially good, a 
 brilliant stroke in fact, and he secured the hole in five, as Mr. Tait 
 was somewhat feeble in giving the odds. With an eight-foot putt 
 the Scotsman just managed to halve " Hades," and at the ninth 
 green the same player again secured a half by very pretty holing 
 out, and turned three up. A foozled pitch on the part of Mr. Ball, 
 who did not appear to such advantage as usual in approaching, 
 cost him dearly at the first hole in. He was bunkered and again in 
 sand. In trying to get clear too finely he had to give two more on 
 the green. Mr. Tait, though there were weaknesses in his play at 
 
 247
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 this hole, was down in five, and again led by four. Superb holing 
 out on the Scotsman's part was the feature of the play at the 
 eleventh green. Mr. Ball lay quite safe with the odds for a five ; 
 but a half was denied him, as Mr. Tait gave the like (a fifteen-yard 
 putt) in splendid fashion, and holed. The Scotsman could now 
 breathe quite freely. He had a lead of five, with only seven to 
 play, which meant that unless he utterly broke down, victory was 
 assured to him. Mr. Ball had a very hard struggle indeed to get 
 even a half at the twelfth in five, and this brought the match to the 
 far hole. Mr. Tait played his second to carry the dangerous hazard 
 which guards the green, and, as it seemed, was fortunate in not 
 getting it clean. He lay short of the bunker, and quite safe for a 
 pitch ; while Mr. Ball, having now to risk everything, adopted bold 
 tactics, and fell foul of the trap. A wonderfully fine recovery 
 extricated Mr. Ball from his difficulties ; but still he had to be 
 content with a half in six, which meant that Mr. Tait was dormie 
 five. Again, at the "Suez Canal," the water hazard at the fifth 
 last, Mr. Ball played the dashing game. He drove the water with 
 his second, and Mr. Tait, recognising that a half was all he 
 required, played short from a rough lie. Both were home in three, 
 and a half in five saw Mr. Tait in possession of the field. The 
 scores were : 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 444433635 = 36. 
 In, 5 4 5 6 5. 
 
 Mr. Ball : Out, 455543535 = 39- 
 In, 8 5 5 6 5. 
 
 SEMI-FINAL. 
 
 MR. F. G. TAIT beat MR. H. G. HUTCHINSON by three up and 
 two to play. 
 
 The match between Mr. Tait and Mr. Hutchinson almost 
 monopolised the attention of the onlookers in the afternoon. They 
 came out in the expectation of seeing a battle royal, and they were 
 not disappointed. There was of course, much speculation as to the 
 result of the encounter, and the respective merits of the players 
 were keenly discussed. On the one hand, there were those who 
 thought that Mr. Hutchinson's undoubted powers and his great 
 experience as a match player would carry him through. On the 
 other hand the young Scotsman had made troops of friends by the 
 superb form he had shown in his earlier encounters, and his 
 supporters were fairly confident that he would emerge successfully 
 from the ordeal. Mr. Tait scarcely played with his usual judg- 
 ment at the first hole. Taking a line to the right to avoid the 
 bunkers, he lay with an open course to the green, when Mr. 
 
 248
 
 Hutchinson was in sand, the result of trying to carry the trap 
 with a driving iron for his second stroke. Forgetting the lie of 
 the ground, the Scotsman pitched instead of running his approach, 
 and the stroke was killed by the rising face. Mr. Hutchinson 
 with the like played splendidly from the bunker, and he was able 
 to secure the hole in five. The second was halved in four, 
 Mr. Hutchinson all but getting a three, and the third and fourth 
 were also halved, without any particular incident. On the next 
 green, to which the Scotsman had the better approach, the West- 
 ward Ho ! player holed a six-yard putt the odds very prettily 
 for a three, and as Mr. Tait did not give his like a chance, the 
 match stood Mr. Hutchinson two up. A raking ball from the 
 tee carried Mr. Tait clear of " The Maiden." Mr. Hutchinson took 
 the wrong line, and while over the hazard was in a sandy pot to 
 the right of the green. He got out of the difficulty, but was wild 
 in his third, so that he had to give the two more. The hole was 
 Mr. Tait's practically without its being played out, and the 
 lead against him was down to one. When both had reached 
 the green at the seventh hole, the advantage lay with Mr. Hutchin- 
 son. With the odds however Mr. Tait got down in deadly 
 fashion, and as his opponent was beaten by a four-foot putt for 
 a half, the match was all square. Over " Hades " Mr. Hutchinson 
 had a perfect drive. Mr. Tait's tee shot was short a little, and 
 he was lamentably weak in his long putt, which he might well 
 have played strong, considering the lie of the ground. He paid 
 the penalty of his mistake by losing a half, and with a wretchedly 
 bad lie from his drive to the ninth hole, he was no more than 
 up to the ninth green in three. A powerful long game through 
 the green gave Mr. Hutchinson a great putt at this point, and 
 playing one off two he holed in four, and turned two up. 
 Approaching the tenth green, which is a nasty pitch, Mr. Hut- 
 chinson duffed his stroke badly and was bunkered. In his effort 
 to recover he failed, was caught in another trap, and Mr. Tait 
 had the hole in hand. Now only one down, Mr. Tait put him- 
 self on equal terms with his opponent. At the next hole both 
 were on the green in two, and Mr. Hutchinson was strong in 
 his long putt. Mr. Tait laid the like safe for holing, and Mr. 
 Hutchinson failed with his chance, which however depended 
 on an eight-foot putt. Two grand drives brought the Scotsman, 
 who was now playing a splendid game, to the twelfth green. The 
 Westward Ho ! player had rather a nasty stand from which to 
 play his second. He failed to get a hold of it, and was wide 
 with his jnext. A perfect four gave Mr. Tait the hole, and he 
 had his head well above water for the first time since the start. 
 A tremendously powerful long game enabled the Scotsman to 
 
 249
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 cross the hazard and be on the next green in three with the 
 mashie, and though Mr. Hutchinson had a great recovery from 
 the bunker, he was unable to get a half. A mistake on the green 
 however cost Mr. Tait the fifth last ; but the battle again 
 went in the Scotsman's favour at the next, where both were lucky 
 in not being trapped, for there he had the better of the holing out, 
 Mr. Hutchinson's three-yard putt for a half jumping out of the 
 hole after being in it. Mr. Tait's position was at this stage very 
 comfortable. He was two up with three to play, and he finished 
 the match by holing a long putt for a three on the next green. 
 The scores were : 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 644544545 = 41. 
 
 In, 5 4 4 5 6 4 3. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson : Out, 544535634= 39. 
 10,6556554. 
 
 From Golf I take the following general review of the 
 tournament and description of the Final : 
 
 The first words I heard on arriving at Sandwich were that 
 11 Freddie Tait is playing a great game." Well, we all knew by past 
 experience that Mr. F. G. Tait could play what is termed "a great 
 game" ; but in past championships he had always failed, at one 
 time or another in the competition, to quite reproduce that marvel- 
 lous form which we well knew he was capable of, and the failure, 
 in the past two years, at least, had rather unfortunately occurred 
 at the moment when he was called upon to meet opponents against 
 whom it was necessary that he should be in his very best form in 
 order to avert defeat. Hence his failure to claim to his credit the 
 high-sounding title of " Amateur Champion Golfer of Great 
 Britain" a distinction which his many admirers and friends had 
 predicted would be his in the very near future. The past week, 
 however, has done a great deal to enlighten the sceptical as to how 
 Mr. Tait could play when in his best form, not only for one 
 individual round, but through a series of matches against the 
 leading lights of the amateur golfing world. His play culminated 
 in a succession of victories which have probably never been 
 equalled in the history of the Amateur Championship. Mr. Tait 
 had no easy work on hand in the second round, Mr. Hutchings, the 
 St. Andrews medallist, having to be disposed of. The St. Andrews 
 crack proved equal to the task, however, and after the Hoylake 
 player had held his own fairly well in the early stages of the game, 
 he had to acknowledge defeat by four up and three to play. 
 
 In the third round the match between those old opponents, 
 Messrs. Laidlay and Tait caused a great deal of interest. Neither 
 
 250
 
 A Record 
 
 played quite up to their best form, the result being a confirmation 
 of last year's form, Mr. Tait proving too much for the ex- 
 champion. 
 
 The fourth round saw Messrs. Tait and Ball face to face. So 
 easily had Mr. Ball defeated Mr. Tait in the penultimate round 
 last year at St. Andrews, that many came to the conclusion that it 
 was probable that Mr. Tait would not show his best form against 
 the ex-champion ; but the result proved that they were wofully 
 wrong in arriving at this conclusion, as nothing could have been 
 finer than Mr. Tait's play. After a half at the first hole, Mr. Tait 
 ran clean away from his opponent, finally winning by five up with 
 four to play. The winner holed out with great accuracy, and this 
 must have been somewhat demoralising to his opponent. 
 
 The semi-final stage found Messrs. Hutchinson and Tait in 
 antagonism. Mr. Hutchinson commenced well by securing a lead 
 of two early in the round, but his opponent brought the match all 
 even at the seventh, only to be again two down at the turn. The 
 tenth hole was probably the turning-point in the match, as from an 
 indifferent lie Mr. Hutchinson made a sad mess of his approach, 
 and although Mr. Tait also made a poor approach, he eventually 
 secured the hole in five to six, and from this point never looked 
 back, finally winning by three up and two to play. 
 
 The final round resolved itself, as in the past two years, into a 
 struggle between the representatives of St. Andrews and Hoylake 
 golf, and if it proved disappointing in the fact that the game did 
 not produce a close struggle, on the other hand it gave the 
 spectators an opportunity of witnessing as fine an exhibition of the 
 game of golf, on the winner's part, as one could wish to see. At 
 the very first hole Mr. Tait got down a three-yard putt for the hole, 
 and this proved a precursor of what might be expected. Holding 
 an advantage in the long game, Mr. Tait followed this up with some 
 marvellously accurate putting, and to cut a long story short, his 
 opponent never had a look in. Completing the outward half in 
 35, Mr. Tait reached the twelfth hole in 42, or two under fours, and 
 it certainly appeared as if he would complete the round in a marvel- 
 lously low total, but towards the conclusion his putting fell some- 
 what off from its previous high standard of excellence, and 76 was 
 the final result. The scores for the round were (giving Mr. Tait 
 credit for an almost certain putt, which he did not hole out) : 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 444542444 = 35 
 
 In, 434565545=41; total 76. 
 Mr. Hilton : Out, 545534644 = 40 
 
 In, 545665445 = 44; total, 84. 
 
 Mr. Tait's score is a new record for the green. Holding an 
 advantage of six holes on the round, the result was left almost 
 
 251
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 beyond doubt, and although Mr. Hilton raised slight hopes by 
 securing the first hole in the second round, Mr. Tait soon asserted 
 his supremacy, finally winning by eight up and seven to play. 
 
 There is no getting away from the wonderful merit of Mr. Tail's 
 victory. Drawn badly in the first instance, he had anything but 
 an easy task in order to qualify for the semi-final stage, as on his 
 way there he had to overcome Messrs. Chas. Hutchings, J. E. 
 Laidlay, and John Ball, junior, all in successive heats. All these 
 three he overcame with comparative ease, whilst if Mr. Hutchin- 
 son did cause him a little inconvenience at first, the Champion 
 came away in fine style on the homeward half. In the final round 
 nothing could have been finer than the form he displayed. His 
 driving was marvellously accurate, and not once during the whole 
 of the first round could any stroke from the tee be called at all off 
 the line. His tee shot to the " Maiden " and the three strokes up 
 to the long fourteenth hole in particular were exceptionally fine, in 
 fact he may be said to have played faultless golf, which could not 
 have been excelled by Taylor, Herd, or any other of the leading 
 professional players. With a continuance of his present form, 
 Mr. Tait will surely have to be reckoned with at Muirfield next 
 week. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1897, PLAYED AT 
 
 MUIRFIELD. 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT, a bye. 
 
 2nd round. F. G. TAIT beat C. L. DALZIEL by 3 and 2. 
 yd round. W. GREIG beat F. G. TAIT by i hole. 
 
 MR. TAIT v MR. GREIG. 
 
 The great event of the third round is the defeat of the Champion, 
 Mr. F. G. Tait, who has been beaten by Mr. W. Greig by one 
 hole, after a splendid match. When six holes had been played 
 Mr. Greig led by a hole. Both balls lay within putting distance 
 on the seventh green, but Mr. Tait failed with the odds, and 
 Mr. Greig pocketed the hole and again led by two. Playing to the 
 eighth hole, Mr. Greig experienced very hard luck. He landed in 
 the bunker with his second, but as Mr. Tait made the same 
 mistake, the consequences did not seem very serious. Mr. Tait 
 got his ball well out, and it rebounded from the wall on to the 
 green. Mr. Greig's was a clear stroke, too clear in fact, for the 
 ball disappeared over the wall. He paid the penalty of losing the 
 distance, dropped another ball into the bunker, and played the 
 odds. Though he got out, he was short, and the hole went to his 
 opponent. The ninth hole was halved in four, and the home 
 
 252
 
 A Record 
 
 journey was begun with the St. Andrews representativejleading by 
 one hole. The details of the half round were 
 Mr. Tait, 355455464 = 41- 
 Mr. Greig, 364564554 = 42. 
 
 The tenth hole was halved. A sliced ball landed Mr. Tait among 
 the rough to the right of the network of bunkers which guard the 
 approach to the eleventh hole. He played his second short, 
 and lay on the edge of one of the hazards, and his third skirted 
 the bank of another, but lay clear. Mr. Greig pulled his 
 third, and through indifferent putting was only able to secure a 
 half, when it appeared almost certain that he would add another to 
 his credit. Trapped from his drive, Mr. Greig recovered in great 
 style, and obtained a hard half at the twelfth hole. The next was 
 also halved, and with five to play the St. Andrews man was leading 
 by one hole. Mr. Tait was off line, and strong in his putt at the 
 short hole, which however was halved in three, though the leader 
 just missed the hole with his second at the sixteenth, where 
 Mr. Greig had missed a long putt for three. Mr. Tait had a nasty 
 downhill putt to win the hole. He played it carefully but missed, 
 and thus the seventh half in succession came about. The long 
 hole was brought to the green before it was decided. Indeed, had 
 it not been that Mr. Tait's fourth lay on the edge of the hole, and 
 more than half stimied his opponent, it also would have been 
 halved. As it was, the hole was won by the Champion, and the 
 match was all even with two holes to play. Mr. Tait cut his drive 
 slightly, but both balls lay on the green in two. Playing the odds, 
 Mr. Tait was weak. Mr. Greig made no mistake, and lay dead. 
 Mr. Tait missed his fourth, and this gave his opponent the hole, 
 and he was in the happy position of being dormie. Mr. Tait had 
 the advantage in the long game to the last hole. He lay on the 
 green with his second, whilst Mr. Greig had to play the odds from 
 behind the bunkers. His approach was short, but so was 
 Mr. Tait's, and the hole was halved in five. Mr. Greig's victory 
 was received with loud applause by the large crowd of spectators, 
 who evidently appreciated the sturdy fight which he had made 
 against his redoubtable opponent. The in-coming scores were 
 Mr. Tait,465434555 = 41. 
 Mr. Greig, 465434645 =41. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1898, PLAYED AT 
 
 HOYLAKE. 
 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT, a bye. 
 
 2nd round. F. G. TAIT beat ]. WILSON by 4 and 2. 
 yd round. F. G. TAIT beat C. HDTCHINGS by i after a tie. 
 
 253
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 4// round. F. G. TAIT beat H. H. HILTON by 6 and 5. 
 
 5th round. F. G. TAIT beat J. GRAHAM by i. 
 
 Semi-final round. F. G. TAIT beat J. L. Low at aand hole after 
 
 a tie. 
 Final round. F. G. TAIT beat S. MURE FERGUSSON by 7 and 5. 
 
 Mr. F. G. TAIT beat Mr. C. HCTCHINGS at the igth hole 
 after a tie. 
 
 Against Mr. Tait was Mr. Charles Hatchings, a well-known 
 and an experienced match player. This encounter promised 
 to produce the first sensation of the championship. It ended 
 in a neck-and-neck race, exciting at the close to a degree, and 
 trying the staying powers of the players to the utmost. The 
 run of the game shows how close the contest was. With a couple 
 of fours Mr. Hutchings, who is a player probably double Mr. Tait 
 in years, secured the advantage. A lovely iron stroke came to 
 the Scotsman's relief at the long hole, and a pretty three at the 
 "Cop." The fourth enabled Mr. Tait to square matters. With 
 a fine second the same player secured the fifth in four, and with 
 a long putt he won the " Briars " in the same figure and was two 
 up. At the eighth he had still this lead, but he lost the ninth 
 by duffing his approach, and he gave a half at the tenth to 
 his opponent by deplorably weak play on the green. The "Alps," 
 where the Scotsman had an indifferent drive, fell to Mr. Hutchings 
 in three, so that with seven to play the game was even. A long 
 putt on the twelfth green, which gave him a three, enabled Mr. Tait 
 to again forge ahead, but Mr. Hutchings paid him back in his 
 own coin at the next, the " Rushes," by holing a twenty-yard putt 
 for a two. Thus the game was kept going merrily on. Slicing 
 with his brassey at the "Field," Mr. Hutchings got a wretched 
 lie, and after endeavouring without success to extricate himself 
 he gave up the hole, so that Mr. Tait was one up with four to 
 play. Amid growing excitement on the part of the large gallery 
 the "Lake" was halved, Mr. Hutchings just failing with a ten- 
 foot putt for the hole, but the Royal Liverpool player after being 
 very lucky in scrambling through the bunker in front of the third 
 last green, ran down the like, an eight or nine-yard putt and won 
 the hole. This bit of good fortune for that it certainly was 
 enabled him to square the game, and sent him off in good spirits 
 for the second last hole. Every stroke was now eagerly watched, 
 and the excitement ran very high. By faultless golf, especially 
 in running up to the hole, the second last was halved in four, so 
 that everything depended on the home hole. There it fell to 
 Mr. Hutchings, who was thirty yards behind Mr. Tait in the 
 
 254
 
 A Record 
 
 drive, to give the odd for the second. He tried to carry the 
 bunker but was trapped. Mr. Tait's opportunity now seemed 
 to have come. He had a beautiful approach. Mr. Hutchings lay 
 badly in the sand, and appearances seemed against him getting 
 clear. He was equal to the occasion however. On the green 
 with the niblick he laid his odds dead, and a halved hole in five 
 meant a halved match. The couple at once went out to decide 
 matters. A hole was sufficient. Mr. Tait had a grand second 
 to the green, whereas Mr. Hutchings, lying heavily, duffed his. 
 This gave Mr. Tait a considerable advantage, and down in four, he 
 won the hole and the match. 
 
 FOURTH ROUND. 
 
 MR. TAIT beat MR. HILTON by 6 up and 5 to play. 
 A large gathering of spectators turned out to witness the match 
 between Mr. Tait and Mr. Hilton, the prospect of which had been 
 eagerly looked forward to from the start of the tournament. 
 Mr. Tait and Mr. Hilton are old opponents in the Championship. 
 A half in five opened their round ; then Mr. Tait stepped to the front. 
 He had the better approach to the second green, but it was not this 
 piece of play, good as it was, which gave him the lead ; it was a 
 lamentable weakness on his opponent's part, for he had a half in 
 hand. All he had to do was to run down an easy enough putt. He 
 was weak at the crucial moment, and home in five. Mr. Tait took the 
 lead. There were weaknesses on both sides in the putting at the 
 third a long hole which was halved in six ; and again in this part 
 of the game Mr. Hilton failed at the " Cop," and gave away his 
 chance of a half with a putt of little more than a yard, after 
 Mr. Tait had holed the odds for three. The " Telegraph " hole was 
 splendidly halved in four, but Mr. Tait introduced the sensational 
 element at the " Briars," where he ran down a forty yards putt for a 
 three a great effort, which gave him a lead of three. In pretty style 
 the seventh was halved in four. If there was no incident, there was 
 some variety in the play to the eighth. In his second to it, Mr. Hilton 
 carried into a treacherous bunker. Mr. Tait gave the hazard a 
 wide berth, and after his opponent had taken two to get clear, he had 
 the hole in hand, for the Englishman was giving the three more on the 
 green. Disaster again overtook the Open Champion at the ninth. 
 He got his second heavily, and was severely punished. With great 
 dexterity he extricated himself and reached the green, where he 
 made a desperate but unsuccessful effort to hole the long odds. 
 Down in the like Mr. Tait was now five up, and it was apparent that 
 unless Mr. Hilton pulled himself together the end was only a 
 matter of time. The Englishman had a distinct advantage on the 
 tenth green, which, to the dismay of his supporters, he allowed to 
 
 255
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 slip. The hole was halved, as also were the next two, and the 
 Englishman's discomfiture was complete at the " Rushes," where, 
 too strong in the long putt he failed even to get a half. Mr. Tait 
 was thus left a winner by six up and five to play. It is noteworthy 
 that Mr. Hilton never won a hole. Scores : 
 
 Mr. Tait : 5563434645353 
 Mr. Hilton : 5664444855354 
 
 FIFTH ROUND. 
 MR. F. G. TAIT (Black Watch) beat MR. J. GRAHAM (Royal 
 
 Liverpool) by one hole. 
 
 From the outset it had been anticipated that in the event of 
 Mr. Tait disposing of Mr. Hilton, he would have to deal with 
 Mr. Graham, the young Liverpool amateur, who deservedly enjoys 
 more than a local reputation. Mr. Tait entered into the contest 
 with every confidence, not only because of his own great powers, 
 but because of the magnificent victory which he gained over 
 Mr. Hilton yesterday afternoon. Mr. Graham, on the other hand, 
 must have felt that he had a very heavy task before him, and if in 
 the end the fortunes of war went against him, he at least carried 
 the game to the home green. In some respects the match was 
 disappointing, for neither player was at the top of his game. 
 Mr. Tait ought to have secured an early advantage, but he was 
 weak in his short game. On both the first and second greens the 
 holes were halved, but Mr. Tait lost the long hole, where he duffed 
 his second and was lucky in jumping the bunker. Profiting by a 
 mistake of Mr. Graham at the " Cop," Mr. Tait had the match 
 squared there, but the same player gave away a distinct chance of 
 assuming the lead at the " Briars," where a four-foot putt would have 
 given him the hole. He showed however to better advantage at 
 the eighth, where he holed out in good style with the odd, leaving 
 Mr. Graham a putt of little more than a yard for a half, which he 
 failed to get down. Having now the lead, Mr. Tait ought to have 
 kept it at the ninth, for he had the better drive and the better lie 
 off it. He unaccountably foozled his second, and was bunkered, 
 and finally gave up the hole, so that the match was all even when 
 the couple entered upon the latter half. Indifferent putting on 
 Mr. Tail's part gave Mr. Graham the lead at the tenth, but on the 
 next three greens the latter was decidedly weak, and Mr. Tait, 
 winning each hole, stood two up with five to play. A long putt 
 beautifully judged gave Mr. Tait the "Field," and with him three 
 up and four to play few expected to see the game go to the home 
 hole as it did. There was not much between them on the fourth 
 last green, and the hole might well have been halved. Mr. Tait 
 however was not equal to a putt of about a club length. The lead 
 
 256
 
 A Record 
 
 was thus reduced to two, and the next, where Mr. Tait was in 
 rough country off the line, and Mr. Graham was bunkered at the 
 green, was halved in six, leaving the former dormie two. Having 
 the best of the short game at the second last, Mr. Graham, down in 
 four, won the hole, and an exciting match ended in Mr. Tait's 
 favour on the home green, where Mr. Graham failed to hole a putt 
 of about two feet, which would have made it a halved game. The 
 scores (approximately stated) were 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 556345357; total 43. 
 In, 544346655; total 42. 
 
 Mr. Graham : Out, 555445364; total 41. 
 In, 455455645; total 43. 
 
 FINAL ROUND. 
 
 MR. F. G. TAIT ir MR. MURE FERGUSSON. 
 The first round opened at half-past 10 o'clock. Mr. Mure 
 Fergusson had the better drive, but Mr. Tait beat Mr. Mure Fergusson 
 with his pitch and gave him a good deal to do to secure a half in 
 five. Both reached the second green nicely in a couple, but in 
 this instance it fell to Mr. Tait to play the odd. He did so to 
 some advantage, and gained a half in four. In driving to the 
 long hole Mr. Fergusson heeled his ball amongst the crowd, strik- 
 ing a lady on the shoulder ; the ball lay on a putting green, and 
 under the local rule it had to be lifted and dropped without penalty 
 clear of the green. Mr. Charles Hutchings, who was referee, 
 proceeded to do this, with the result that the ball landed in a 
 hole. Mr. Tait refused to take advantage of his opponent's mis- 
 fortune, and promptly went forward and teed the ball. This 
 sportsmanlike act was greeted with a round of applause. Both 
 were on the green in three, and the hole was halved in six. At 
 the turn Mr. Tait was one up. Mr. Mure Fergusson had played 
 the two previous holes in superior form to that displayed by 
 Mr. Tait; but he went off his driving at the short "Alps." The 
 result was that he made acquaintance with sand and lost a 
 stroke. Mr. Tait holing out splendidly in four gave his opponent 
 no chance, and now held a lead of two. Mr. Tait continued to 
 play the more consistent golf, and he finished the round three holes 
 up. The approximate scores were : 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 546356344 = 40 
 In, 44445655 4=4i 
 
 Total, 81 
 
 Mr. Mure Fergusson : Out, 546454444 = 40 
 In, 545456644 43 
 
 Total, 83 
 257 R
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 In the afternoon the second round was followed by an even 
 larger gathering of spectators, who behaved wonderfully well. The 
 feature of the first hole was that Mr. Mure Fergusson with his 
 approach sliced out of bounds ; he however had a splendid third, 
 and as Mr. Tait ran into rough country a half in five resulted. 
 At the second Mr. Mure Fergusson sliced his tee shot, and the ball 
 landed on the top of the " Cop." Handicapped by an awkward stand 
 he overran the green into the ditch. On the other hand, Mr. 
 Tait by a splendid approach got down in three, and easily won 
 the hole. This increased his lead to four. The long hole was 
 capitally halved in five. After Mr. Tait had half topped a brassey 
 shot, Mr. Mure Fergusson lipped the " Cop" hole for a two, and 
 gave a half in three. A half in four resulted from the play to the 
 " Telegraph " hole. Being out of bounds Mr. Mure Fergusson 
 handicapped himself at the "Briars" but he gave an exhibition 
 of splendid approaching which enabled him to reach the green in 
 three. Mr. Tait, instead of taking advantage of his opportunity, 
 foozled his second, with the result that he ran into the sand 
 behind the " Cop." It was an awkward position to get out of, 
 and he lost the hole in six to five. Mr. Fergusson was four down 
 at the turn. Crossing the "Alps" Mr. Tait pulled his tee shot, 
 and Mr. Mure Fergusson followed by slicing his. The putting 
 was weak, particularly on Mr. Mure Fergusson's part, so that 
 Mr. Tait won in four to five. Now five up and six to play, 
 Mr. Tait became almost a certain winner of the championship. 
 The certainty was even more emphasized at the twelfth hole, where 
 Mr. Mure Fergusson overran the green into the water hazard. 
 Mr. Tait played the hole perfectly in four to Mr. Mure Fergusson's 
 five, and stood "dormie" six. The end came at the " Rushes " 
 which Mr. Tait secured in a capital three to a four by Mr. Mure 
 Fergusson, who exhibited weakness in his putting. Mr. Tait, who 
 was cordially cheered and congratulated, won the championship 
 by seven up and five to play. 
 
 AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, 1899, PLAYED AT 
 PRESTWICK. 
 
 ist round. F. G. TAIT beat A. R. AITKEN by 4 and 2. 
 
 2nd round. F. G. TAIT beat H. M. BALINGALL by 3 and 2. 
 
 yd round. F. G. TAIT beat S. H. FRY by 2 and i. 
 
 j\th round. F. G. TAIT beat G. F. SMITH by 5 and 4. 
 
 5th round. F. G. TAIT beat H. H. HILTON by i. 
 
 6th round. F. G. TAIT beat J. M. WILLIAMSON by 3 and i. 
 
 jth round. J. BALL, Junr., beat F. G. TAIT by i hole after a tie. 
 
 258
 
 A Record 
 
 FIFTH ROUND. 
 
 Mr. F. G. TAIT (Black Watch) beat Mr. H. H. HILTON (Royal 
 Liverpool) by i hole. 
 
 A large crowd of spectators followed this match, as it was 
 undoubtedly the piece de resistance of the present meeting, and 
 speculation was rife regarding the result, for it is acknowledged on 
 all hands that as a golfer Mr. Hilton has few equals, which is 
 proved by his double victory in the Open Championship, though 
 he has hitherto failed to win the Amateur Championship, Mr. Tait 
 having four or five times been the cause of his failure. At the first 
 green, which both reached in two, Mr. Hilton by a good pitch and 
 putt, won in four against five. A perfect two for Mr. Tait at the 
 second squared matters, but Mr. Hilton again took the lead at the 
 " Cardinal," having laid his approach dead, while Mr. Tait was out of 
 holing distance. The " Bridge " hole was halved in four, Mr. Tait 
 making up for a defective pitch by laying his long putt dead. The 
 greens being evidently keener than in the morning, both overran 
 the hole considerably in their second stroke on the " Himalayas " 
 green ; but Mr. Tait won by a long putt, and again squared the 
 match. Perfect play on both sides gave a half at the " Redan," and 
 imperfect approaches at the seventh were responsible for four on 
 each side. On this green Mr. Tait hi his putt gave himself a half 
 stimie, but he managed to get down. The eighth hole was badly 
 played by both. Mr. Tait topped his drive, and his ball was within 
 a foot of the bunker, about eighty yards from the tee ; then he 
 pulled his second into rough ground to the left, and his approach 
 was only on the edge of the green. Again however he laid the ball 
 dead, and Mr. Hilton failing both in his approach and long putt, 
 allowed him to get off with a half in five. Each had two good 
 strokes toward the end hole, but on the green, though Mr. Hilton 
 had the advantage of putting uphill, he was twice miserably short, 
 and taking three strokes to get down to his opponent's two, Mr. Tait 
 turned one up. The tenth hole was halved in five, both being on 
 the green in three, and both lipping the hole in putting for four. 
 The eleventh saw another half in four, and at the Dyke hole 
 Mr. Tait had a putt of ten feet for four, but did not manage to get 
 down, and another half in five was called. Driving to the right at 
 the thirteenth, both were in rough ground and recovered well. 
 Mr. Hilton laid his pitch on the green within putting distance ; but 
 Mr. Tait's pitch carried to the rough grass beyond, and here he 
 played one of the most dexterous downhill putts ever witnessed, 
 making the ball screw round off the grass almost at a right angle 
 and curve round to within two feet of the hole, and so securing a 
 half in five, Mr. Hilton not getting down. For the fourteenth both 
 drove well, and Mr. Hilton's second was within twelve feet of the 
 
 259 R 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 hole ; but Mr. Tait from the edge of the green lay dead, and 
 Mr. Hilton taking three strokes to get down, his putting being 
 lamentably weak, the Champion stood two up with four to play. A 
 very fine putt at the fifteenth green secured a half for Mr. Tait, for 
 after three strokes Mr. Hilton lay stony, while Mr. Tait was six 
 feet away, and a downhill putt to play. The sixteenth was also 
 halved in four, through perfect play on both sides. In going to the 
 "Alps" Mr. Tait was in the rough to the right, and attempting to 
 carry with a wooden club, he only went fifty yards. Mr. Hilton 
 played short in two, and Mr. Tait in three, and excitement was 
 great when after neat pitches on both sides, the former holed in 
 five, and the latter failed to get down. The match was thus 
 carried to the last hole, when Mr. Tait ended matters by laying his 
 opponent a stimie. Scores : 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 525434455 = 37 
 In, 545544464 = 41 
 
 Total, 78 
 
 Mr. Hilton : Out, 434444456= 38 
 In, 545554455 = 42 
 
 Total, 80 
 
 FINAL ROUND (From the Scotsman). 
 
 MR. F. G. TAIT i MR. J. BALL. 
 
 The tussle between Mr. F. G. Tait and Mr. John Ball became 
 interesting from the very outset ; for after Mr. Ball had started 
 nicely from the first tee, those whose sympathies lay towards 
 Mr. Tait had an anxious time from the moment the latter's drive 
 left the club until it landed. It looked as if his ball was going on 
 to the railway, but fortunately for him it struck the dyke and 
 rebounded on to the course. Both had good seconds on to the 
 green, and Mr. Ball, who played the odd, lipped the hole with his 
 third. Mr. Tait's like left his opponent a stimie to negotiate, and 
 as Mr. Ball failed to get past, Mr. Tait won the first hole in 4 to 5. 
 This was a good beginning for the Scotsman, and when Mr. Ball 
 spared his cleek going to the "Tunnel," and fell into the bunker in 
 consequence, Mr. Tait's prospects became exceedingly bright ; for 
 he was lying nicely on the green with his drive. Mr. Ball made a 
 good recovery with his second, but he had to play two more on the 
 green, and as Mr. Tait ran down a four- foot putt, the Englishman 
 never really had a chance, the hole going to Mr. Tait in three to four. 
 Two up on the first two holes was of course a lead which could not 
 have been improved upon, but for some time after this the English- 
 man kept a hold on his opponent, though it was not until the sixth 
 hole was reached that Mr. Ball won his first hole. The third, 
 
 260
 
 A Record 
 
 fourth, and fifth were each halved in four. Both got over the dreaded 
 " Cardinal," the difficulties of which have spoiled so many good 
 scores, with their seconds. With his next Mr. Tait was rather 
 strong, while his opponent lay within three yards of the hole. A 
 magnificent putt however secured Mr. Tait a four, and Mr. Ball 
 followed suit, his rival's deadly putting having apparently no effect 
 upon his nerve. The " Burn " was prettily played, and at this hole 
 Mr. Tait had a fine approach to within eight feet of the hole. He 
 did not manage to get down the long putt, however, and the 
 Englishman did well to secure a half. Both drives crossed the 
 "Himalayas" and lay on the far side of the green, and while 
 Mr. Tait was short with his second, Mr. Ball was too strong, and 
 each required four where three ought to have been the figure. 
 At the " Elysian Fields " the crowd had an object-lesson in regard to 
 Mr. Tait's long-driving abilities ; for off the tee here last year's 
 Champion, though going slightly off the line, out-drove his opponent 
 by nearly 40 yards. This advantage however was made little use of, 
 as Mr. Tait was not on the green with his next, while Mr. Ball 
 was within fifteen yards of the hole. Mr. Tait had a nasty run 
 up to play, and Mr. Ball, always having the best of the short game 
 at this green, got a four to Mr. Tait's five, and thus won his first 
 hole. Going to the railway, Mr. Tait had a fine drive to within 
 five yards of the hole, while Mr. Ball lay to the left. The latter 
 played the odd and was short, Mr. Tait, by getting a perfect three, 
 winning the hole, and standing two up on the match. " Monk- 
 ton " allowed Mr. Tait to increase his lead to three. Two long 
 balls were sent off from the tee, and Mr. Ball's approach was a 
 beauty, while Mr. Tait lay to the left. The Englishman was in 
 much better position. Playing the odd Mr. Tait was by no means 
 dead, but he got down his putt, and Mr. Ball, though lying only 
 fourteen inches from the disc, missed his easy chance of a half, and 
 Mr. Tait was thus three up with a four to his opponent's five. 
 Both played a safe game at the end hole, and after approaching 
 much to the left Mr. Ball again threw away his chance of a half by 
 weakness on the green, though all the same a little luck might have 
 given him a five instead of a six. Mr. Tait thus turned four up. 
 
 Going to the tenth hole, Mr. Tait got into trouble. He sliced 
 his ball into the rough, and he had to use a mashie to get on to 
 the course again. Taking a brassie for his third stroke however 
 he recovered splendidly, and lay within twelve feet of the hole. 
 Mr. Ball with a fine run up to the hole side, secured a half. The 
 eleventh hole was halved without incident in an orthodox four, 
 but the " Dyke " was interesting. It fell to Mr. Ball. Mr. Tait pulled 
 his drive very badly, and nearly found the burn, but had a better 
 second than his opponent, and both lay in front of the wall with 
 equal chances. The Englishman's pitch was excellently judged, 
 
 26l
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 and laid him eighteen inches from the pin, his finely played stroke 
 eliciting loud cheers from the immense crowd. Mr. Tait's like 
 was watched with great interest, but it was poor in comparison 
 with that of his opponent, and lay fifteen yards on the far side of 
 the hole. The Scotsman made a plucky bid for a half, but the 
 putt was too much for him, and Mr. Ball won the hole, as he 
 deserved to do, and again reduced his opponent's lead to three. 
 Mr. Tait however took the first opportunity of getting four up 
 once more. His approach to the thirteenth was as accurate as it 
 well could be, and he was lying within easy holing distance. 
 Mr. Ball on the other hand duffed his like, ran past the hole with 
 his fourth, and missed his fifth. His opponent had thus two for 
 it, but he only required one, and holed in four. Neither got a 
 good drive at the fourteenth, but both were over the bunker 
 and on the green in two. The Scotsman got down his fourth 
 a four-foot putt and Mr. Ball, failing with a putt only half that 
 distance, once more lost a hole through indifferent putting. At the 
 next hole Mr. Tait was in difficulties. He lay in rough ground to 
 the left with his second, but he recovered nicely though a little 
 too strong. He played two more, and failing to get up with his 
 fifth, gave up the hole. Mr. Ball was almost dead with his second, 
 and though he did not hole out, a three was a fair approximate 
 score for him. This made Mr. Tait four up with three to play. 
 The "Cardinal's Back" was halved in five, after Mr. Tait had 
 pulled his tee shot. Mr. Ball however duffed his approach and 
 narrowly missed the bunker, Mr. Tait's effort for a four running 
 round the lip of the hole. Both carried the height at the " Alps," but 
 only to land in the bunker by the hole side. Each got out with 
 his third, but too strongly, and both balls overran the hole. The 
 fourth strokes were hardly up, and while Mr. Ball got down a 
 four-yard putt amid cheers, Mr. Tait just missed a half, and 
 again his lead was down to three. Both drives were off the line 
 going to the home hole, Mr. Ball's being sliced, while Mr. Tait's 
 was pulled. The former's approach was a very fine one, but 
 the Scotsman was short with his. It ought to have been Mr. Ball's 
 hole, but again he missed an easy putt of about two feet, and he 
 allowed his opponent ,to get a half in four after an indifferently 
 played hole. Approximating where the players did not play out, 
 the details of the first round are as follows : 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 43444534 5=36 
 In, 54544656 4=43 
 
 Total, 79 
 
 Mr. Ball : Out, 54444445 6=40 
 In, 54465355 4=4i 
 
 "Total, 81
 
 A Record 
 
 SECOND ROUND. 
 
 The afternoon was fine, and once more an immense crowd 
 followed the players. Mr. Tait, with his substantial lead of three 
 holes, was generally looked upon as a comparatively easy winner, 
 and few in the crowd could have been prepared for what was after- 
 wards to take place. As was the case in the former round, Mr. Tait 
 got close up to the wall from the first tee, and he had a difficult 
 stroke to play for his second. This time, unfortunately for him, he 
 got over the wall and on to the railway, thereby losing a stroke, and 
 these misfortunes lost him the hole ; for his opponent was down in 
 a perfectly-played four. Mr. Tait looked like making good his 
 previous mistakes at the short hole. He had a beautiful pitch 
 from the tee to within three yards of the hole. Mr. Ball however 
 was dead with his second, and Mr. Tait, failing to get down in the 
 like, had to be content with a half in three. As far as the long 
 game was concerned, the " Cardinal " could not have been better 
 played ; for both were within thirty yards of the green with their 
 seconds. After that however Mr. Ball had a fine loft to about two 
 yards of the hole, and Mr. Tait, being very short with his approach, 
 had to play the long odds. Mr. Ball failed in his effort for a four, 
 but as matters turned out he did not require to hole out in that 
 figure even for a half ; for Mr. Tait failed to take his chance, and 
 Mr. Ball was thus only one down on the match. Play now became 
 more interesting than ever. Going to the burn, Mr. Tait took 
 a dangerous line, but getting away a cleanly-hit ball he kept out of 
 trouble, and as Mr. Ball sliced his second into the bank at the 
 waterside, it looked as if the Scotsman was again to forge ahead. 
 Mr. Ball had a very bad lie, and as he had very little chance of 
 getting out of his difficulties, it would have been better for him to 
 have gone into the Pow burn, for in that case he would simply 
 have lost a stroke. He made one attempt to get clear, but was no 
 better off than before, and with Mr. Tait on the green in two he 
 gave up the hole. This made Mr. Tait two up again, but the " Hima- 
 layas " was perfectly played by the Hoylake Club representative, 
 and Mr. Tait being very short with his run up, the Scotsman's lead 
 was once more reduced to one, Mr. Ball holing out in three, while 
 his opponent required one stroke more. Matters had now been 
 taken from the interesting to the exciting stage, and the tension 
 became very severe when Mr. Ball, by winning the " Elysian Fields " 
 in a nice four, was able to square the match for the first time since 
 the start. The "Railway" was halved in four one too many. 
 Mr. Ball was too strong from the tee, and found the burn, 
 
 263
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 thereby losing a stroke. His third was very short, but so was 
 Mr. Tail's, who made a poor show in trying to take advantage of 
 his opponent's troubles. Mr. Ball made ample amends by holing a 
 long putt on the sloping green, and his nicely-judged effort was 
 greeted with a hearty cheer. Mr. Tait tried hard to take the hole, 
 but his putt wanted strength, and he had to be content with a 
 half in four. Still another half followed, " Monkton " being divided 
 in five. Mr. Ball had the better approach, but he never gave his 
 long putt a chance, and Mr. Tait also showed a weakness on the 
 green. The struggle for supremacy still continued, and those who 
 were desirous of a victory for the Scotsman began to have grave 
 misgivings about the result; for Mr. Tait was playing far below 
 his true form, while Mr. Ball kept the course much better, and was 
 as a rule more steady all round. The end hole gave no idea as to 
 how the match would ultimately go, for it also was halved in five, 
 which is par play. 
 
 The tenth hole saw Mr. Tait still off his game, and it was lucky 
 for him that Mr. Ball's putt for a four did not get down, as pro- 
 bably it deserved to do. If Mr. Tait had putted in the same way 
 as he did in the morning, the hole might have been his ; but he no 
 only missed his opportunity of again taking the lead, but he just 
 managed with nothing to spare, to get a half. Driving against the 
 wind at the eleventh, both were in rough ground. The green how- 
 ever was safely reached in two, and by missing a two-yard putt, 
 Mr. Ball lost the hole, and stood one down on the match. The 
 hopes of Scotsmen were just beginning to rise again ; but at the tee 
 to the "Dyke" they were again dashed to the ground. Mr. Tait 
 pulled so badly that he lay on the other bank of the Pow burn, and 
 according to rule he had to lift to the near side and count a stroke. 
 His opponent was over the wall in one less viz., three to Mr. Tail's 
 four and after playing two more, and then overrunning the hole, 
 Mr. Tait gave up, neither player holing out. Again matters were 
 all square, and with only six holes to go, and after playing thirty 
 holes, the Championship was in reality as near decision as when 
 play started in the morning. But from a Scottish point of view, 
 affairs became rather gloomy when Mr. Ball, amid intense excite- 
 ment, won the thirteenth, and for the first time during the match 
 took the lead. Mr. Tait pulled both his first and second strokes, 
 and again got into difficulties with his third. Mr. Ball was on the 
 green with his like, and ultimately won the hole in four to six. The 
 fourteenth was halved in four, Mr. Tait striking the back of the 
 disc in his effort for a three. Mr. Tait however was not to be 
 beaten without making a plucky effort to pull off the match, which 
 at one time seemed so safe for him. He won the fifteenth, and once 
 
 264
 
 A Record 
 
 more there was nothing between him and his opponent. His 
 approach play and putting were perfect, and he was down in four. 
 Mr. Ball tried well to get a half, but he was not successful. Thus 
 with only three holes to play it was even yet a very open question 
 as to who would be Champion. The winning of the " Cardinal's 
 Back " by Mr. Ball however seemed to point to his ultimate success, 
 especially as the hole over the " Alps " was halved. The " Alps " 
 however were not crossed without incident. Mr. Tait's second 
 dropped into the water in the bunker, while Mr. Ball's like, striking 
 the bank and rolling back, also found a sandy bed. His ball 
 fortunately escaped the water, but only by an inch or two. There 
 was of course nothing for it but that Mr. Tait should wade in and 
 get out of his troubles as best he could, for another lost hole meant 
 to him the loss of the Championship. Much therefore depended 
 on his recovery, and amid cheering and excitement, which the 
 crowd made no effort to suppress, he got well out. Mr. Ball also 
 extricated himself nicely from a bad lie, and he too got a round of 
 cheers. A half in five was the result, but at the "Home" hole 
 Mr. Ball pulled his drive, and as Mr. Tait had the better approach, 
 he won the hole, cheer after cheer being raised in acknowledgment 
 of his pluck in saving the match at this stage. With the thirty-six 
 holes played the match was thus a tie, and a wild rush was now 
 made by the excited crowd from the " Home " to the first green, 
 Amid a breathless silence the competitors took their stand at the 
 first teeing ground. Mr. Ball outdrove his opponent by about 
 twenty yards, and Mr. Tait's approach overran the green, while his 
 opponent's lay within holing distance. Mr. Ball, down in three to 
 Mr. Tait's four, won the hole, and thus became Amateur Champion 
 for 1899, after the most exciting tussle that has ever taken place. 
 His victory, though it must have caused disappointment to the 
 majority of the crowd, was hailed with great cheering, and some of 
 the new Champion's more enthusiastic supporters carried him off 
 shoulder-high towards the club-house. The approximate details in 
 the second round were as follows : 
 
 Mr. Ball : Out, 435734455 = 4 
 In, 554445454 = 40 
 
 Total, 80 
 
 Mr. Tait : Out, 536445455 = 41 
 In, 547644553=43 
 
 Total, 84 
 265
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 The following is a short account of Tait's record 
 medal round of 78, St. Andrews, September, 1894. 
 
 ST. ANDREWS MEDAL, Sept. 1894. 
 Two players who were also strong favourites were Mr. F. G. 
 Tait and Mr. C. Hutchings. During the past year Mr. Tait has 
 occupied a most prominent position in the amateur golfing world. 
 Last September he carried off the club's gold medal with a score of 
 80, taking second place to Mr. Mure Fergusson. At Hoylake at 
 the Amateur Championship he was first favourite until he fell 
 before Mr. Mure Fergusson, and at the open meeting at Sandwich 
 he not only occupied the highest position amongst the amateurs in 
 the championship competition, but also showed his undoubted 
 superiority by holding the field until the semi-final of the amateur 
 v. professional golf tournament when the rest of his compeers had 
 succumbed. At the spring meeting of the Royal and Ancient Club, 
 Mr. Tait carried off the chief award, and proving in the best form 
 yesterday he repeated his May victory. He opened a grand round 
 with a capital four, but threatened to spoil his score with a six at 
 the second hole. Having a bad lie from his drive, a cleek shot for 
 his second landed him in the road, with the result as stated. At 
 the fourth hole Mr. Tait finished off a splendid hole by getting 
 down a long putt of twenty yards for a three. This excellent play 
 was rather discounted at the long hole, where, after being on the 
 edge of the green in a couple, he required half-a-dozen to hole out. 
 At the high hole again, Mr. Tait, in approaching the hole, made 
 acquaintance with the bunker and registered another six. With a 
 forty out, Mr. Tait started the journey in, in splendid fashion, and 
 continuing to display the best of form, he accomplished the inward 
 journey with the splendid score of seventy-eight a record for 
 medal play on the green. His details were : 
 
 Out, 464364634 = 40 
 
 In, 434455454 = 38 
 
 Total, 78 
 
 As none of the remaining players came near this score, Mr. Tait 
 won the King William IV. Medal, and also gained the Glennie 
 Aggregate Medal for the year. 
 
 Record score of 72 (from Golf, Feb. 16, 1894). 
 
 On the morning of February 5th Mr. Tait again broke 80, with 
 38 and 41 = 79 ; and in the afternoon with 72, 36 each way. In 
 view of this latter feat, it may be that golfers, especially those 
 abroad, will not find it wearisome if we describe the round some- 
 
 266
 
 A Record 
 
 what minutely. First, as to the position of the holes : the first 
 was on the medal green to the right, the tee some 70 to 80 yards 
 from the railings ; the second, on a newly-made green to the right 
 (the putting here being rough), rather farther on than the medal 
 hole ; the tee to the third hole is 30 yards further forward than on 
 medal days, and a good deal to the right, among the rough grass. 
 From that point every hole and tee was much about the same as 
 on medal days, as far as distance is concerned, until the end hole, 
 which was only some ten yards past the small bunker, and just to 
 the right of it. Turning homewards, though the tee is a little 
 more forward, the balance is about restored by the hole being 
 placed about the same distance further back the eleventh hole 
 was far to the left, close to the Eden, on a small table with steep 
 sides, and immediately behind the bunker ; it could not have been 
 reached from the tee save by a driver of exceptional power, such as 
 Holland or Mr. Tait himself. Thus it will be seen that the next 
 hole was considerably shorter ; in fact, Mr. Tait, with a terrifically 
 long ball, could, and actually did, reach the green. From this 
 point the only alterations to be noted are from the " Hole o' Cross " 
 to the " Ginger-beer " ; a much longer hole than on medal days, by 
 reason of the tee being put very far back ; and at the eighteenth 
 hole, where the same remark applies. Any exceptionally fine play 
 is invariably met by the criticism that " it was not the medal 
 round " ; this in Mr. Tait's case is certainly true ; but, had he 
 played the same game on the exact medal round as he did on this 
 occasion, his score probably would have been as good. For a 
 player of his power there is little to choose between the difficulties 
 of the two courses ; if the ninth and twelfth holes were easier, the 
 difference was quite made up by the extra length of the long hole 
 home, and of the last. Here then is the actual score : 
 
 Out. 544354533 = 36 
 Home, 333554454 = 36 
 
 Total, 72 
 Details as thus : 
 
 1. Two long drives over the Burn to left ; short loft ; two putts. 
 
 2. Two, rather to right ; short pitch ; putt (two yards). 
 
 3. Drive ; pitch ; two putts (almost a three). 
 
 4. Very long shot ; driving mashie; putt (10 to 12 yards). 
 
 5. Two drives on to narrow table fronting green ; approach ; two 
 putts (nearly a four). 
 
 6. Very long drive ; approach a little past ; two putts. 
 
 7. Drive drawn into second bunker ; niblick ; approach ; two putts. 
 
 8. First very wide to the right ; approach putt two yards past ; 
 third, in (good recovery). 
 
 267
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 9. Very long drive ; nearly home ; two putts. 
 
 10. Drive to foot of green ; approach 10 or 12 yards past ; third, 
 holed out. 
 
 11. Long shot to left of teeing-ground ; putted up; holed out 
 from 10 yards. 
 
 12. Very long drive which just reached green on the left ; two 
 putts. 
 
 13. Carried all the bunkers ; indifferent iron shot, heeled ; three 
 putts. 
 
 14. Two very long drives ; an iron shot quite straight ; two putts 
 (almost a four). 
 
 15. Long drive ; cleek shot to foot of green (too heavily taken) ; 
 approach dead ; one putt. 
 
 16. Drive ; wrist approach ; two putts (almost a three). 
 
 17. Drive somewhat drawn to left ; second to right of bunker ; 
 running loft on to green ; two putts. 
 
 18. Long drive; cleek shot past hole; two putts ; the first of 
 which hit the hole for 71, and ran about a yard past. 
 
 The crucial putt was well holed by Mr. Tait amidst loud 
 plaudits. 
 
 TABLE OF VARIOUS RECORDS. 
 ST. ANDREWS MEDALS. 
 
 Sept. 1890. Unplaced 95. 
 
 Sept. 1891. Unplaced 93. 
 
 Sept. 1892. Unplaced 91. 
 
 May 1893. Under 90 for first time [85 score]. 
 
 Sept. 1893. Round in 80. 2nd Medal (Mr. S. M. Fergusson wins 
 
 ist Medal in 79.) 
 
 May 1894. Won in 83. ist Medal. 
 Sept. 1894. Won in 78. ist Medal. New Record. 
 Out 4 6436463 4=40 
 In 4 3445545 4=38 
 
 78 
 
 Won Glennie Medal as well [161 strokes.] 
 May 1895. Second Medal at 85 strokes after a tie. 
 Sept. 1895. 83, but unplaced. 
 May 1896. 86, but unplaced. 
 Sept. 1896. (Residing at Ballater) did not compete. 
 May 1897. 84, won after a double tie with L. M. B. M. 
 Sept. 1897. 81, 2nd Medal, finishing with three sixes. 
 
 Won Glennie Medal for second time [165 strokes.] 
 
 268
 
 A Record 
 
 May 1898. 86, unplaced. 
 
 Sept. 1898. 82, 2nd Medal, after a tie with Mr. Leslie Balfour. 
 
 May 1899. 80. Won ist Medal. 
 
 Sept. 1899. 83. Won ist Medal. 
 
 Won Glennie for third time [163 strokes] . 
 
 CALCUTTA CUP. 
 
 Aug. 1890. Score beaten in Semi-Final by Mr. Nimmo. 
 
 Aug. 1894. Owe 2. Won. 
 
 Aug. 1899. Owe 4. Won (New Course.) 
 
 JUBILEE VASE. 
 
 Sept. 1890. Score beaten in Final by Mr, H. A. Bethune. 
 
 Sept. 1895. Owe 3. Won. 
 
 Sept. 1899. Owe 5. Beaten 5th round by Mr. C. A. W. Cameron. 
 
 ST. ANDREWS AMATEUR RECORD. 
 
 5th Feb., 1894. 
 
 Out, 544354533 = 36 
 In, 333554454 = 36 
 
 Total, 72 
 
 ST. ANDREWS FOURSOME RECORD. 
 
 26th Sept., 1898. Partnered by Mr. A. G. Tait. 
 Out, 464464433 = 38 
 In, 324565443 = 36 
 
 Total, 74 
 
 ST. ANDREWS "BEST OF BALLS" RECORD. 
 
 30 Nov., 1897. Partnered by Mr. Edward Blackwell v W. Auch- 
 terlonie and Andrew Kirkcaldy. 
 
 Out, 54344441 4=33 
 In, 343554444= 36 
 
 Total, 69 
 
 CARNOUSTIE RECORD. 
 
 July, 1894. 
 
 Out, 434443434 = 33 
 In, 454354554= 39 
 
 Total, 72 
 269
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 NORTH BERWICK RECORD. 
 
 nth May, 1896. 
 
 Out. 454344453= 36 
 In, 444443564 = 38 
 
 Total, 74 
 
 NEW LUFFNESS GOLF CLUB. 
 LECONFIELD MEDAL (Spring). HOPE GOLD MEDAL (Autumn). 
 
 April, 1895. Won First Medal (score 76. Record). 
 
 Oct., 1895. Won First Medal (score 86). 
 
 March, 1896. Second to Mr. T. T. Gray (82 to 81). 
 
 Oct., 1896. Absent. 
 
 May, 1897. Won First Medal (score 78). 
 
 Oct., 1897. Absent. 
 
 April, 1898. Absent. 
 
 Oct., 1898. Won Hope Medal (score 79). 
 
 April, 1899. Second, score 78 (Mr.A.W. Robertson Durham 77). 
 
 ST. GEORGE'S CUP (SANDWICH). 
 
 THREE WINS. 
 
 May, 1896. Score 84 + 81= 165 
 June, 1898. Score 84 + 79 = 163. 
 June, 1899. Score 76 + 79 = 155 (Record). 
 
 TANTALLON GOLF CLUB. 
 
 8th April, 1899. Medal Competition. Score 94 (unplaced), 
 gth Sept., 1899. Medal Competition. Score 89 (unplaced). 
 Mr. Laidlay won with 87. 
 
 EDINBURGH CONSERVATIVE CLUB. 
 
 5th May, 1899. Medal Competition. Won, score 87. 
 
 ARCHERFIELD RECORD. 
 
 1 5th July, 1899. 
 
 Out, 443334343 = 3i 
 In, 3 4 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 = 32 
 
 Total, 63 
 270
 
 A Record 
 
 GANTON RECORDS (AMATEUR). 
 
 20th March, 1897. 
 Out, 35 
 In, 33 
 
 Total, 68 
 The course was on this occasion about 3 shots easier than usual. 
 
 2ist July, 1899. 
 
 Out, 534433555 = 37 
 In, 325453533 = 33 
 
 Total, 70 
 This score is accepted as the amateur record. 
 
 MUIRFIELD RECORD (AMATEUR). 
 2ist March, 1896. 
 
 Out, 35445445 4 = 38 
 In, 444443435 = 35 
 
 Total, 73 
 
 [Tait was elected a member of the Honourable Company of 
 Edinburgh Golfers in October, 1899, but never played for any 
 Medal.] 
 
 MORTON HALL. 
 
 On 25th June, 1896, Tait went round in 72, making a fresh 
 record for the medal round, the previous best being 75. 
 
 BARNTON. 
 
 Tait was elected a honorary member of the Burgess Golf Club 
 in May, 1896, and in a match with Mr. W. T. Armour and 
 Mr. T. T. Gray holed out in 76. 
 
 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS. 
 
 1891, at St. Andrews. 3Oth; score 182. 
 
 1892, at Muirfield. 2oth ; score 326. 
 
 1893, at Prestwick. Absent. 
 
 1894, at Sandwich. gth [ist Amateur]; score 340. 
 
 1895, at St. Andrews. i4th ; score 341. 
 
 1896, at Muirfield. 3rd [ist Amateur] ; score 319. 
 
 1897, at Hoylake. 3rd ; score 317. 
 
 1898, at Prestwick. 5th ; score 315. 
 
 1899, at Sandwich. 7th [ist Amateur] ; score 324. 
 
 271
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM F. G. TAIT'S MATCH BOOK, 
 
 1896 1899. 
 
 T AM permitted, through the kindness of Lieutenant Tait's family, to 
 publish the following portions of his Golfing Diary. The years 
 1896 1899 embrace most of his greater matches. No match of real 
 importance has been left out, and no comment of Tait's has been deleted 
 or altered in any way. 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 30 
 
 St. Andrews F. G. T. & W. Mac- 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Self and W. MacF. very good ; 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 Parian ir J. Blackwell 
 
 
 
 
 round in 82. 
 
 
 
 
 & Capt. W. Burn. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i> 11 
 
 ii ii 
 
 ii ii n 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 Both partner and I played a 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very fine game after sth hole, 
 and a magnificent game in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 on a very long course (right- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hand course) ; in 34, out 44, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 443444344 = 34. 
 
 
 , 3 1 
 
 ii i 
 
 F. G. T. & W. Mac- 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 MacF. and I again in great form 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 Farlan Y A. F. Macfie 
 
 
 
 
 with exception of i7th hole 
 
 
 
 
 & J. Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 = 8. Macfie off his game. 
 
 
 >i 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Blackwell 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 All three played fairly well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 & W. Mac Parian (3 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 MacFarlan beat J. B. by 2. 
 
 
 
 
 balls). 
 
 
 
 
 This was a fine match for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 long driving. 
 
 
 Feb. i 
 
 n ii 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Mac- 
 
 
 
 y 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well until match 
 
 
 
 
 
 Farlan. 
 
 
 
 
 was over. MacF. completely 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 off his game. F. G. T. out in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 and 443 first 3 holes in. 
 
 
 ,. 4 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F.G.T. v John Oswald 
 
 Giving 
 
 i * 
 
 - 
 
 Both played indifferently 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 strokes. 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 272
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Los 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 Feb. 4 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v D. I. Lamb 
 
 _ 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well ; round in 77, 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 & J. Oswald (best of 
 
 
 
 
 left-hand course. Out, 5544 
 
 
 
 
 balls). 
 
 
 
 
 5 5 4 3 4 = 39- In, 4 4 3 4 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 5 3 5 = 38. D. I. L. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. O. both off their game. 
 
 
 ., 5 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. vD. I. Lamb - 
 
 + 3 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well with excep- 
 tion of a few holes. 
 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 ii .1 
 
 ii n n 
 
 ii n 
 
 5 
 
 Played badly going out, but 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well in. 39. Won 3 byes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 David Lamb much better. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Self 44 and 39 = 83. 
 
 
 6 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Black well 
 
 + } 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well ; round in 80. 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 & C. H. P. Carter 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 Carter good. J. B. rather ofi 
 
 
 
 
 (3-ball match). 
 
 
 
 his game. 
 
 
 1) * 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 n n >i 
 
 + 2 holes 
 
 2 
 
 i 
 
 Played badly to start with. 
 
 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 + i 
 
 
 
 J. B. got 4 up. Coming in I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 played well with exception 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of last hole. J. B. and Carter 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good. 
 
 
 ,, 7 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G.T. YA. F. Macfie 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well, strong cross 
 
 80 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 wind. Macfie rather off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game. Self, round in 80. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 5 54556444= 42. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In, 5 3 4 4 6 4 4 4 4 = 38. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Also 2 byes. 
 
 
 II II 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. & C. H. P. 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Carter and self in very good 
 
 85 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 Carter v A. F. Macfie 
 
 
 
 
 form. Carter holed out very 
 
 
 
 
 & J. Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 well. Macfie and Blackwell 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. F. G. T. and C. H. P. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C., 85. 
 
 
 8 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Auchter- 
 
 36-hole 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well ; round in 82, 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 lonie (ex-Champion). 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 first round with two 7's and 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 one 6. Not quite so good, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 second round 85. Auchter- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lonie very good second round. 
 
 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y L. M . Balfour- 
 
 10 holes 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well. Carter also 
 
 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 Melville & C. H. P. 
 
 Carter 
 
 I 
 
 
 good. The Champion missed 
 
 
 
 
 Carter (3-ball match). 
 
 3P- ' 
 
 
 
 some short putts. Out, 654 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 44. In, 5 4 3 5 5. Five holes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 out and in. 
 
 
 n 10 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. Y D. I. Lamb 
 
 __ 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well ; round in 78. 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 & C. H. P. Carter 
 
 
 
 
 Strong cross wind. Out, 4 5 
 
 
 
 
 (best of balls). 
 
 
 
 5 4 5 4 5 3 3 = 38. In, 4 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4474554 = 40. Carter 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and Lamb fair. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 
 - I i 
 
 Did not play quite so well. 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carter and Lamb rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 better. Wind rather stronger. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Played well in with excep- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tion of 1 7th hole. Out 44, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 41. 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Auchter- 
 
 36-hole 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well first round, 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 lonie. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 and badly second. Lonie bad 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 first, good second. Self 82 in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 morning; Lonie 83 in after- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 noon. Strong cross wind. 
 
 
 ,, 13 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Boyd & 
 
 Best of 
 
 Halved 
 
 Played well, with exception of 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 A. H. Cochran. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 last two holes. Boyd and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cochran good. Self 84. Last 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two holes 7 and 6 ! ! ! ! 
 
 
 ii 11 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 yed 
 
 Played well out, with exception 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of sth hole 7 ! ! Out 42, in 40. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cochran and Boyd good, with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 exception of last hole. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Splendid day. 
 
 
 1. M 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Gordon - 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played well, 82. Gordon also 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very fair. F. G. T. one or 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two bad holes. Strong wind. 
 
 
 273
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH Odds Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 Feb. 1 4 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Gordon - 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 
 Played well, 82. Rather bad 
 
 82 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 luck coming in. Strong 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wind. Gordon not quite so 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good. 
 
 
 ,. 15 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Boyd & 
 
 Best of 
 
 Ha 
 
 ved 
 
 Splendid match all through; 
 
 83 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 A. H. Cochran. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 all played well. Self had last 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 holes. Out 38, in 45. 
 
 
 i t 
 
 M 
 
 11 n ii 
 
 11 n 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Another splendid match. F.G.T. 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 79- Out, 5 4 5 4 64 444=40. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In, 4345 63 55 4 = 3?. 
 Boyd and Cochran both good. 
 
 
 ., 25 
 
 n 11 
 
 F. G. T. -v D. I. Lamb - 
 
 + 3 holes 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played fairly well. D. I. L. off 
 
 86 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 his game entirely. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving very well. Very cold 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and windy. 
 
 
 26 
 
 11 n 
 
 F. G. T. v D. I. Lamb 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Played well, with exception of 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 & A. H. Cochran. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 one or two holes. D. I. L. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and A. H. C. not on their best 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game. D. I. L. pressing. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Very windy. 
 
 
 
 ii 11 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 t 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Played well on the whole. 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Some indifferent holes. D.I.L. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and A. H. C. fair. Two bad 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes. 
 
 
 n 27 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. v A. H. Coch- 
 
 + * 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well. Strong cross 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 ran. 
 
 
 
 
 wind. 40 and 40. Cochran 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 completely off his game. Also 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 byes. 
 
 
 
 11 ! 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 + 1 
 
 Halved 
 
 Cochran much better, self most 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 indifferent, very little under 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 90. Wind much lighter. 
 
 
 28 
 
 St. Andrews 
 New Links 
 
 F. G. T. v J. H. Black- 
 well. 
 
 + 2 holes 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 Played badly going out, very 
 well in. J. H. B. good all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 through and putting very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. Self in in 38, J. H. B. 
 
 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 39- 
 J. H. B. very good last 5 holes 
 
 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 on medal course in 20, 4 5 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 3 20, and twice bunker- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ed. Self very fair. Some 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad holes going out. 
 
 
 29 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. TT D. I. Lamb - 
 
 + 3 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played well, with exception of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3rd hole out, and well back 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 except long hole 8 ! D. I. L. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good until last 3 holes. 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. & D. I. Lamb 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 Andrew and Cochran good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 V Andrew Kirkcaldy 
 
 
 
 
 D. I. L. very much off his 
 
 
 
 
 & A. H. Cochran. 
 
 
 
 
 game. Self very fair. 
 
 
 Mar. 3 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v J. H. Black- 
 well & W. Gordon. 
 
 2 strokes 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played well. Jim also good. 
 Gordon off his game. Jim's 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two strokes both told. F.G.T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 85 with 8 to and hole and two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 other bad holes. 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Stopped by snow 5 holes from 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 home, i up with Jim, 3 down 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 with Gordon. 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. ir W. Gordon - 
 
 9 ., 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well, with excep- 
 tion of 2nd and 3rd holes, 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 and 7. Out in 43, in 37. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 467555533 43- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In, 4 3 4 5 5 4 5 3 4 *~ 37- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gordon fair. 
 
 
 11 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. v H. S. C. 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 _ 
 
 Played a very strong game; 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 Everard & W. Gor- 
 
 
 
 
 out 38, in 37 75- 54454 
 
 
 
 
 don (best of balls). 
 
 
 
 
 6433 38; in, 4245454 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 5 - 37. H. S. C. E. very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. Gordon quite off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game. Perfect day for golf. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Also 4 byes. 
 
 
 274
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS I Score 
 
 1896 
 Mar. 5 
 
 St. Andrews \ F. G. T. v J. H. Black- 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well, except last 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 
 
 hole and and hole. Out, 4 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 5 4 5 3 3 4 = 39- In, 4 4 4 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 54456. J. H. B. fair, rather 
 off his putting. 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n ii 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well on the whole, but 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rather slackly going out. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 5 5 6 5 5 6 3 4 43. In, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 43 4 5 64444 38. J.H.B. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 not putting well. 
 
 
 6 
 
 n ii 
 
 F. G. T. & W. Gordon 
 
 F.G.T.& 
 
 Halved 
 
 Played in a regular gale, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y D. I. Lamb. 
 
 W. G. re- 
 
 
 
 blizzard of rain, snow, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 ceiving 
 
 
 
 hail. Very good match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 strokes. 
 
 
 
 Good golf impossible. 
 
 
 7 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Gordon Best of 3 
 
 
 
 Played very well after first 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 & J. Grimond. , balls and 
 
 
 
 4 holes. Gordon and Gri- 
 
 
 
 
 ! 5 strokes. 
 
 
 
 mond fair. F. G. T. 5 5 5 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 55424=41. ^,4334644 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 3 = 35 = 76. F. G. T. rather 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 unfortunate in some putts. 
 The play all round was not so 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 balls and 
 6 strokes. 
 
 
 
 good, especially on my oppo- 
 nents' part. F. G. T. 81. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out 42, in 39. One or two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad holes. Beautiful day. 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. v A. H. Coch- 
 
 10 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played well, with exception of 
 
 
 
 
 
 ran. 
 
 A. H. C. 3 
 
 holes start 
 
 
 
 2nd hole, 7. Out, 47445. 
 In. 4 5 5 5 3- A. H. C. off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putting. 
 
 
 .. 9 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. & H. S. C. 
 
 36-hole 
 
 o 
 
 10 
 
 Andrew and A. H. C very 
 
 
 
 
 
 Everard Y A. H. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 good, 83 with a g. Self and 
 
 
 
 
 Cochran & Andrew 
 
 
 
 
 Everard fair in the morning. 
 
 
 
 
 Kirkcaldy. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very bad in the after- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 noon. 
 
 
 10 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. Aikman - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Aikman good out and fair in, 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 and 47. Self fair, 85. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. putting badly. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Both played very well, with 
 
 81 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 exception of last 3 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Exceptional putting on both 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 sides. F. G. T. 42 and 39. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. E. Gilroy - 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Score in, 44434464 6=39. 
 Both bad going out and fair in. 
 
 86 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 Strong wind. Gilroy had 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 not played for some time. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. putting badly. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 i> n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n n 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Both a -little better. Self 84, 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 with some indifferent holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gilroy rather off his driving. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. 6 to last hole ! ! 
 
 
 i, 12 
 
 n ii 
 
 F. G.T. Y Jim Cunning- 
 
 J.C. 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played very badly going out, and 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 ham. 
 
 3 holes up. 
 
 
 
 fairly well in. Out 44, in 40. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. Cunningham off his game. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 n ii 
 
 ii ii ii 
 
 ii n 
 
 o 
 
 4 
 
 Played badly all through, com- 
 
 90 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 pletely off my putting. Cun- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ningham good out, but only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair in. F. G. T. 90. Beauti- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ful day for golf. Greens a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 little keen. 
 
 
 - 13 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y Andrew 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 Andrew very good; outlsS. Self 
 
 86 
 
 
 
 Kirkcaldy. 
 
 
 
 
 bad and 4 down. All square 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and 3 to play. Andrew in the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 railway ; self safe. Played a 
 beautiful shot up to hole and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 kicked into bunker under 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the hole into an impossible 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 " lie." Missed a short putt at 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i7th and lost match. Cruel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 luck! 
 
 
 275 
 
 S 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 Mar.i3 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Greig & 
 A. H. Cochran (best 
 of balls). 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 A very good match. My op- 
 ponents started with 4 fours. 
 I putted badly and missed 
 some very short putts. Greig 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 not on his best game. 
 
 
 17 
 
 Musselburgh 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Mac- 
 Farlan. 
 
 + 2 holes 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 Played steadily 27 holes; 35, 
 36 and 37. MacFarlan rather 
 off his putting. W. MacF. 
 
 7i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holed the ist hole in 2 the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2nd round. C. MacRae also 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 played and was in great 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. 
 
 
 20 
 
 Barnton 
 
 F. G. T. v W. T. Ar- 
 mour & Angus Mac- 
 Donald (best of balls). 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 A good match all through. 
 F. G. T. putting badly, but 
 playing the rest of the game 
 well. Armour very good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 MacD. fair. 
 
 
 M 21 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. v L. M. B. 
 
 Melville. 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 Leslie B. M. very good, but 
 lucky. Holed a long mashie 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 approach and 2 long putts. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Self also good except two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 short putts. L. M. B. M. 71 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 without 7th hole. 
 
 
 I. .1 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 - 
 
 7 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. played a very strong 
 game, and rather demora- 
 
 73 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lized the amateur champion. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. round in 73, record 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of Muirfield. Out, 35445 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4454-38. In, 4 4 4443 
 4 3 5 35 L M. B. M. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 round in 78. L. M. B. M.'s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 puttingall day was excellent. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very hard luck on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the putting green. 
 
 
 24 
 
 Mortonhall 
 
 F. G. T. v Colin Mac- 
 Rae. 
 
 18 strokes 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 Played well to start with, but 
 badly at the end. Putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 greens in bad order. Mac- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rae good. 
 
 
 II 1. 
 
 H 
 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 
 
 Ha 
 
 ved 
 
 Played better round in 73, one 
 stroke above record. Putt- 
 
 73 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ing very difficult. MacRae 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 much better than in first 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 round. 
 
 
 28 
 
 New Luff- 
 ness 
 
 F. G. T. v W. G. Blox- 
 som. 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Spring Medal. Played well 
 with exception of putting, 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 which was atrocious. Fin- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ished in 82. Bloxsom fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T. T. Gray won medal in 81. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. 2nd, 82. 
 
 
 Apr. 2 
 
 North Ber- 
 wick 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Mac- 
 Far Ian. 
 
 -J- 2 holes 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Played a good game with ex- 
 ception of 1 7th hole and a 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 few short putts. W. MacF. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. & Major D. 
 Kinloch v Ben Say- 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 A very fine match, but only 
 time for 12 holes. Major and 
 
 ~~ 
 
 
 
 ers & John Penn. 
 
 
 
 
 I dormie one, but putted 
 badly at the last hole. Say- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ers good. 
 
 
 .. 3 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. TT W. Mac- 
 Farlan. 
 
 Regi- 
 mental 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 MacFarlan had one or two bad 
 holes, and was unlucky in 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 Swetp- 
 
 
 
 his putting, otherwise he 
 
 
 
 
 
 stnke. 
 
 
 
 played well. F. G. T. very 
 baa luck at i7thhole ; 8 ! ! and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 to the last ! W. MacF. 95. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Won Sweepstake. 
 
 
 
 
 ., 
 
 .. 
 
 + 2 holes 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 WMacF. good coming in. F. 
 G.T. very steady all through. 
 
 79 
 
 276
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 Apr. 3 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. v Ben Sayers - 
 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 A very good match until the 
 
 78 
 
 
 wick 
 
 
 
 
 
 last 4 holes. Sayers very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 food, 77. F. G. T. 78 ; nth 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ole in 2 ! 100 yds. approach ! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sayers very lucky at I7th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole in a long putt which he 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 played far too hard, but his 
 ball hit mine away about 4 yds. 
 and lay dead itself. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 won the last hole. The match 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ought to have been halved. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lost by 3 and i to play. 
 
 
 ,; 4 
 
 II l 
 
 F. G. T. IT H. Ferrier 
 
 + 4 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played well against a strong 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kerr. 
 
 
 
 
 wind going out. Kerr driv- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ing well, but rather wild on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the greens. F. G. T. two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 consecutive 2's at the i3th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and i4th holes. Out, 45. In, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4552245--. No time to 
 
 
 
 
 G. F. T. v H. Ferrier 
 
 + * 
 
 5 
 
 
 play last two holes. 
 Wind much stronger. Started 
 
 
 
 
 Kerr. 
 
 
 
 
 at and hole and played the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 last 16. Kerr again driving 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well, but erratic on the green. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very steady. 
 
 
 ,, 6 
 
 Mortonhall 
 
 F. G. T. ir Colin Mac- 
 
 One 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 Very windy, and only time for 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rae. 
 
 stroke a 
 
 
 
 12 holes. MacRae good. F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole. 
 
 
 
 G. T. one very long drive 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 over pond, going to 3rd hole. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Over 200 yds. carry. 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 1 5 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 MacRae off his game. Self fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Driving well. Putting rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 badly. 
 
 
 .. !3 
 
 M 
 
 *i H it 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 MacRae in great form, espe- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cially on the green. Self in- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 different. MacRae 92, with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 sevens. 
 
 
 ., 14 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Capt. Deane 
 
 12 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. good, with exception 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 & Capt. W. Camp- 
 
 and best 
 
 
 
 of two or three holes, round 
 
 
 
 
 bell. 
 
 of balls. 
 
 
 
 in 74. Deane and Campbell 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rather shaky on the green. 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Colin Mac- 
 
 12 strokes 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 MacRae very good ; roundin 38, 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rae. 
 
 
 
 
 with a 9 and a 7. Putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very well. Self fair, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving badly. 
 
 
 .. i7 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. v Capt. Camp- 
 bell & Colin MacRae. 
 
 9 strokes 
 and best 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Very windy day. Played very 
 well with, exception of one 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of balls. 
 
 
 
 hole. Campbell in good form. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 MacRae rather off his game. 
 
 
 ,. 21 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. v Colin Mac- 
 
 6 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Only time for 12 holes. Both 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rae. 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 played badly. F. G. T. using 
 
 
 
 
 
 12 holes. 
 
 
 
 two new drivers with little 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 success. 
 
 
 ,. 23 
 
 
 n 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Both played badly. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving very badly. Very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hot. Played first 7 holes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 behind two awfully slow 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 players. 
 
 
 25 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. Y Capt. The 
 
 27 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 First round of a Regimental 
 
 
 
 
 wick 
 
 Master of Sempill. 
 
 and 
 
 
 
 Handicap Tournament F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 holes 
 
 
 
 G. T. very good until match 
 
 
 
 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 was over. Sempill very er- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ratic. 
 
 
 M 29 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Colin Mac- 
 
 9 strokes 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 MacRae very much off his 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 Rae. 
 
 
 
 
 game. Self in great form 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 with exception of one or two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes. Out, 42 ; in, 37 79. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Last four holes in, 14 3 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 43 = 14!! 
 
 
 277
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 May i 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Mac- 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Second round of a Regimental 
 
 80 
 
 
 wick 
 
 Farlan. 
 
 
 
 
 Handicap Tournament. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Played well, round in 80. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. MacF. good until last 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 holes. F. G. T. driving 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very well. 
 
 
 ,. 
 
 Mortonhall 
 
 F. G. T. v Duncan 
 MacLaren. 
 
 Spring 
 Medal 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Played indifferently, and went 
 round in 78. MacLaren 81. 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 at Mor- 
 
 
 
 Taylor won in 75 ; self se- 
 
 
 
 
 
 tonhall. 
 
 
 
 cond, 78. A very hot day, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and had to carry my own 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 clubs, consequently I aid not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Elay my best. Greens very 
 ad. 
 
 
 n 4 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v L. M. Bal- 
 
 l3-ball 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well with excep- 
 
 Si 
 
 
 
 four Melville & C. 
 
 match. 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 tion of a few short putts. 
 
 
 
 
 Hutchings. 
 
 
 
 
 Out 41; in 40=81. Greens 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very keen, and putting very 
 difficult. Won 3 byes from 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M., and 2 from C. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M. rather off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game. C. H. good until last 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 holes. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 II H 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. E. Laidlay 
 
 ii n 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Played well again with excep- 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 & J. B. Pease. 
 
 
 I 
 
 - 
 
 tion of two holes. Out 40 ; in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 43, with 7 to iSthhole. Pease 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good, out 38. Laidlay 
 and Pease halved. Pease 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putted, and drove very well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Laidlay very fair. 
 
 
 ,, 5 
 
 II I. 
 
 F. G. T. -a W. N. Boase 
 
 + 3 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played the first 3 holes very 
 
 83. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 badly, but after that very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well, with exception of i3th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and i4th holes. Round in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 83 long hole ; out in 3, holed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a full drive of about 180 yds. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 756435433= 40. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In, 4 2 5 7 7 4 5 5 4 = 43. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Boase fair, with exception of 
 
 
 ,. 5 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. vW.'Greig - 
 
 - 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 a few holes. Awfully hot day. 
 Both played badly, with an oc- 
 casionally good hole. Greig 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving well but putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 badly. Halved match. 
 
 
 6 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. v L. M. B. 
 
 Melville. 
 
 Medal 
 Round. 
 
 Hutch- 
 ings won 
 
 L. M. B. M. played well, and 
 won second medal with a 
 
 86 
 
 
 
 
 
 medal in 
 
 score of 83. Self very bad, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 82.L.M.B. 
 
 86. Out, 645446544 42; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 M. 83, A. 
 
 in, 5 4 4 5 7 5 5 4 5 44 86. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 E. Mac- 
 
 Putting badly. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fie 84, F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 G. T. & S. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pease 86. 
 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 II II 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. E. Laid- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Played good golf until the 
 
 
 
 
 
 lay & S. M. Fergusson. 
 
 match. 
 
 6 
 
 
 match was over. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson off his game. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Laidlay fair. F. G. T., 39 out. 
 
 
 ., 8 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. R. Cam- 
 
 24 strokes 
 
 4 
 
 Third round of Regimental , 81 
 
 
 wick 
 
 eron. 
 
 and 2 up. 
 
 
 Handicap. Cameron all right 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 going out, but went off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game coming in. Self very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. 42 out ; 39 in. Three bad 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes. 
 
 
 n 
 
 n ii 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Thomp- 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well, and reduced 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 son (Professional). 
 
 
 
 
 the North Berwick record by 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i stroke. Out, 454344453 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 36 ; in, 4 4 4 4 4 3 5 6 4 38. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rather unlucky at the i6th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and 1 7th holes. 
 
 
 278
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 WOE 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 
 Mayi2 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y Ben Sayers - 
 
 _ 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well. Out 38 ; in 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 42 =- 80. Record for extended 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 course. Sayers very much 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 demoralised. Also i bye. 
 
 
 
 ., 13 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. G. Wau- 18 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Final Regimental Handicap 
 
 80 
 
 
 wick 
 
 chope (Junior). 
 
 and i up. 
 
 
 
 Tournament. Played very 
 steadily, and putted well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Round in, 80 ; might, with a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 little care, have been some 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 strokes better. Wauchope 
 putted badly, otherwise he 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 must have won. 
 
 
 ., 16 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. S. Colt - 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well. Out in 38 ; 76 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in in 38. Tees very long, as i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 for championship. 535543 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 44=38. 436445444 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 38. F. G. T. lofted 3 stim- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ies. H. S. C. rather off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. S. Colt 
 
 3-ball 
 
 Halved 
 
 H. S. C. much better. J. L. L. 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 & J. L. Low. 
 
 match. 
 
 & 4 
 
 very tired and off his game. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. not so good as the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 previous round, and playing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rather slackly. 38 and 44 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 82. 
 
 
 ,, 17 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Mure 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 Played a very strong game, 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 
 with the exception of two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes. Mure good, with the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 exception of three or four 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tee shots. F. G. T. putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very well. Out, 4537335 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 5=38; in, 544745454 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 =42. S. Mure F., 82. 
 
 
 " " 
 
 ' 
 
 F. G. T. & S. Mure 
 Fergusson Y J. Ball & 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Both Mure and I in good form, 
 and a little heavy for the 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 C. Hutchings. 
 
 
 
 
 other two. F. G. T. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S. M. F., out, 544544634 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 39 ; in, 4 4 4 6 5 5 5 3 4 = 4. 
 Ball and Hutchings very good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 up to the i2th hole. S. M. F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving very well. 
 
 
 18 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y L. M. Bal- 
 
 St. 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well in the first 
 
 SA) .n 
 
 
 
 fbur Melville. 
 
 George's 
 
 
 
 round, but with bad luck ; 81 j * 
 
 
 
 
 Cup Com- 
 
 
 round in, 84. L. M. B. M. i 
 
 
 
 
 petition, i 
 
 
 
 played first 4 holes badly; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 after that he played very well, 
 and finished in 87. In the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 second round we both played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good golf. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 eventually won the cup with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 84 and 81 = 165, by 2 strokes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M. finished in 87 and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 85. There was a very fine 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 field; all those entered for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Amateur Championship. 
 
 
 19 
 
 ,. 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. G. Broad- 
 
 ist round 
 
 7 
 
 Played a good game. Out in 
 
 
 
 
 wood. 
 
 Amateur 
 
 38, and 454 first 3 holes in. j 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 pionship. 
 
 My opponent was evidently . 
 off his game. Very heavy 
 rain during last part of round. 
 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. & L. M. B. 
 Melville Y J. E. 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 L. M. B. M. and I played a 
 very steady game all through. 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 Laidlay & S. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 The other two were driving 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 
 very badly, but recovering 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 verv well. L. M. B. M. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T., out 39 ; in 41 80. 
 
 
 279
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 Mayao 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 F. G. T. v C. Hutch- 
 
 :nd round 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 A very fine match going out, 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 ings. 
 
 Amateur 
 
 
 
 but coming in C. H. went 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 
 
 
 rather off his game against 
 
 
 
 
 
 pionship. 
 
 
 
 the wind. A beastly day, very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wet and windy. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 H 
 
 F. G. T. v J. E. Laidlay 
 
 3rd round 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 The wind increased to a gale, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Amateur 
 
 
 
 with very cold rain. Golf 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 pionship. 
 
 
 
 very difficult to play. A very 
 good match up to the i6th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole. J. E. L. not driving 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very well. 
 
 
 i. 21 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Ball - 
 
 4th round 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 Played a very strong game, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 ! Amateur 
 
 
 
 rather demoralised the ex- 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 pionship. 
 
 
 
 champion. Out, 4444336 
 35=36; in, 54565. F.G.T. 
 putting very well. Won the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match by 5 up and 4 to play. 
 John Ball very steady. Fairly 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 strong wind. 
 
 
 ii i> 
 
 n 
 
 F.G.T.YH. G. Hutch- 
 
 th round 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Started badly, and was 2 down 
 
 
 
 
 
 inson. 
 
 Amateur 
 
 
 
 at the turn, but after that 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 
 
 
 played a grand game. Holed 
 
 
 
 
 pionship. 
 
 
 
 a fine putt to win match at 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i6th hole. H. G. H. putted 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very well. 
 
 ii 22 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. v H. H. Hilton 
 
 Final 
 
 8 
 
 _ 
 
 Played a particularly strong 77 
 
 
 
 
 Amattur 
 
 
 
 game. Out, 444542445 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 
 
 
 = 36; in, 434565545 
 
 
 
 
 pionship. 
 36 holes. 
 
 
 
 =41. With the exception of 
 a few short putts, the score 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 could not have been im- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 proved upon. F. G. T 6 up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at the end of first round. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hilton played a very plucky 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 uphill game ; 83 first round. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Second round F. G. T. very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 steady, except ist hole. 6 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 45 4 3 5 4 4 = 39 ; in, 44. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hilton again very plucky, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and holed some good putts. 
 
 
 23 
 
 Rye 
 
 F. G. T. v H. S. Colt 
 & 1. O. Fairlie (best 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 H. S. C. and J. O. F. too strong 
 for the golfed-out Champion, 
 
 
 
 
 
 of balls). 
 
 
 
 to whom they showed no 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 mercy. H. S. C. and J. O. F. 
 
 
 
 
 Ii 
 
 
 both played a good game, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and did some very fine 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes. 
 
 
 ., 25 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. S. Colt - 
 
 ~ 
 
 - 
 
 Played with Colt for the Han- 
 dicap Sweepstake. Both 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 played indifferently. Self, 
 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 81 and 6=87. H. S. C. made 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 no return. Greens awfully 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & I. S. Scott 
 
 
 ' 3 
 
 
 dry and very difficult. 
 F. G. T. and J. S. S. rather 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Y H. S. Colt & J. O. 
 
 
 
 
 heavy for the other two. All 
 
 
 
 
 Fairlie. 
 
 
 
 
 played indifferently, especi- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ally on the putting greens. 
 
 
 26 
 
 H 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Vardon - 
 
 36-hole 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 Rather too much golf, and a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 little stale after the Amateur 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Championship, and conse- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 quently not nearly up to the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 last week's form. Vardon 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very steady. F. G. T. rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 unlucky off the tee ; 4 niblick 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 shots in middle of course. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Also putted badly. 
 
 
 280
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 June 6 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Mure 
 
 _ 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 Mure completely off bis driv- 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 
 ing. F. G. T. putted badly 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 on the way out, and took 44. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Played well in, 36=80. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 
 
 n n ii 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 Mure much better. Self a good 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 deal worse, putting badly. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mure, 82. F. G. T., 84. 
 
 
 ,, 8 
 
 
 ii n ii 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 O 
 
 Played well, with the exception 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of one or two boles. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving very badly, but put- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ting and approaching very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 O 
 
 Played well; one bad hole. 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mure still completely off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving. 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 Archerfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y G. H. Law 
 & C. Law. 
 
 Best of i 
 balls. 
 
 2 
 
 o 
 
 Played very well, and estab- 
 lished a record for the links. 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 G. H. L. in great form, espe- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cially putting. 
 
 
 9 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. Kirk- 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 Played well, with the exception 
 
 
 
 
 
 caldy. 
 
 
 
 
 of 7th, 8th, and gth holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Andrew K. in great form, ex- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cept i8th hole 8 ! ! A. K., 80. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. Herd 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Played badly. Herd in good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form, 79 ; A. H. driving very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 straight, F. G. T. putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very badly. 
 
 
 ii 10 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y Kinnell 
 
 Open 
 
 - ' - 
 
 F. G. T. got a very bad start ; 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 
 
 drove over the wall at the ist 
 
 
 
 
 
 pionship. 
 
 
 hole and took 5. Played well 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 after that, except sth, 7th, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8th, and gth holes. Rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 unlucky in putting. Kinnell 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good at beginning, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad after. 
 
 
 ii M 
 
 ,, 
 
 ii n 
 
 H 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Played a very strong game all 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 through, and rather unlucky 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in my putts. Kinnell very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad. Taylor led me by 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 strokes on first two rounds 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (77 and 78). 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Hutchings 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Played rather badly and with 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad luck. A very hot day. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Started at an inconvenient 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hour, 12.30. 7th, 8th, and gth 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes very bad. Putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 badly. C. H. very fair. 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Started, knowing that 74 was 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 required, and would have 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 done it but for bad luck at 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i6th hole. Played a splendid 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game from start to finish, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the long putts would not go 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in. Taylor and Vardon tie 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 for first, 316. W. Fernie and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 self third, 3ig. 
 
 
 n 19 
 
 Mortonhall 
 
 F.G.T.vT.M. Berke- 
 
 Best of 
 
 I 
 
 _ 
 
 Played fairly well, with ex- 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 ley & C. MacRae. 
 
 balls & i. 
 
 
 
 ception of two or three holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T. M. B. in great form. Mac- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rae rather off his game. 
 
 
 n 25 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y D. MacLaren 
 
 
 
 _ _ 
 
 Summer Meeting. F. G T., 
 
 72 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 72 and 4 =76, 4th. Beat record 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 by 3 strokes. No scratch 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 prize. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & D. MacLaren 
 
 12 hole 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and MacL. in great 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y W. Taylor and Mac- 
 
 match. 
 
 
 form. Taylor and MacGregor 
 
 
 
 
 Gregor. 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 July i 
 
 Barnton 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. T. Ar- 
 
 Best of 
 
 . Halved 
 
 F. G. T. good. Beat record of 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 mour & T. T. Gray. 
 
 balls. 
 
 1 
 
 green by 2 strokes. 
 
 
 281
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 July i 
 
 Barnton 
 
 F. G. T. Y. W. T. Ar- 
 
 Best of 
 
 
 3 
 
 Armour in great form ; round 
 
 
 
 
 mour & T. T. Gray. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 in, 76. Putting'and approach- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ing beautifully'. F. G.T. bad. 
 
 
 ., 8 
 
 m 
 
 M 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 All played fairly well. Greens 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very heavy from the recent 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 heavy rain. 
 
 
 i IO 
 
 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 Two excellent matches. Ar- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 mour holed a very good putt 
 to save first match. 
 F. G. T. missed a yard putt to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 win the second match ! Gray 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. G. Tait & 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 A. G. T. rather out of practice, 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. T. Armour. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 but played fairly well, espe- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cially driving. Armour and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. fair. 
 
 
 .. 15 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y T. T. Gray & 
 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 Gray and Armour both good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. T. Armour. 
 
 
 
 
 Gray holed two approaches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. missed a 6 foot putt 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to half match. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 F.G.T.&W.T. Armour 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and W. T. A. in great 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 Y T. T. Gray & Lees 
 
 
 
 
 form ; round in 76. Gray and 
 
 
 Aug. 4 
 
 Carnoustie 
 
 (Barnton professional.) 
 F. G. T. Y W. MacFar- 
 lan & Bob Simpson. 
 
 3-ball 
 match. 
 
 3 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 Lees poor. 
 
 !A11 played badly. Greens in a 
 horrible condition ; not worth 
 
 - 
 
 ii 5 
 
 " 
 
 " " " 
 
 " 
 
 3 
 
 i 
 
 
 playing on. 
 
 
 ., 7 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y L. M. B. Mel- 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in great form ; round 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 ville. 
 
 
 
 
 In 77. Out, 455447334 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 391 in, 4344545 54 = 38. 
 
 ^ (3 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M., 81. 
 
 Jj3 o 
 
 i. 13 
 
 Carnoustie 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. MacFar- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 All in good form. F. G. T., out 
 
 
 
 
 
 lan & Bob Simpson. 
 
 match. 
 
 4 
 
 
 36. Good in, with exception 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of one hole. 
 
 
 ,i 17 
 
 
 F. G. T. & W. MacFar- 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 W. MacF. and I in great form. 
 
 
 
 
 
 lan Y Bob Simpson & 
 
 
 
 
 Fairly outclassed the profes- 
 
 
 
 
 W. Smith. 
 
 
 
 
 sionals. Bob Simpson rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 off his game. 
 
 
 19 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 A very fine match. Finished at 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the last hole by a fine putt of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. MacF.'s. All in good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 5 
 
 The amateurs received a hor- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rible dressing. W. MacF. not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 quite up to his usual game. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The professionals played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 29 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. G. Tait & 
 
 Best of 
 
 - 
 
 6 
 
 F. G. T. very bad; suffering 
 
 
 
 
 
 Firebrace. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 from a fall from a bicycle. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A. G. T. very fair. Firebrace 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 indifferent. 
 
 
 Sept 9 
 
 Ballater 
 
 F. G. T. Y Capt. Gum- 
 ming Bruce. 
 
 i stroke 
 a hole. 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 A very bad course ; long grass, 
 bad putting greens, and short 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes. First and probably 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the last round at Ballater. 
 
 
 Nov.28 
 
 Canton 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Harvey - 
 
 fr | a j - 
 
 Played very badly for first 9 32 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes ; after that good. 32 for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 last 9 holes ; equals Vardon's 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 record. J. H. very fair. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 F. G. T. & T. M. Berke- 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 Self and partner 4 up at one 
 
 
 
 ley Y J. Harvey & 
 
 
 
 
 time, but only succeeded in 
 
 
 
 
 Maxwell Stuart. 
 
 
 
 
 getting a hard half. Other 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two good after first 6 holes. 
 
 
 Dec.io 
 
 Redcar 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. W. Taylor 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 i 
 
 Taylor played very well; 76. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Self rather at sea on a new 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 course, and putted badly. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T., 77- 
 
 
 282
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1896 
 Dec.u 
 
 Redcar F. G. T. & Hon. G. Las- 
 
 $ 
 
 Halved My partner in great form with 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 celles v Capt. Penny- 
 
 
 
 
 all his clubs. Self fair. Mac- 
 
 
 
 
 man & C. D. Mac- 
 
 
 
 
 kenzie and Pennyman good 
 
 
 
 
 kenzie. 
 
 
 
 
 at the end. 
 
 
 II 
 
 
 F. G. T. & Hon. G. Las- 
 
 4 strokes. 
 
 7 
 
 - 
 
 My partner played magnifi- 
 
 
 
 
 
 celles v Capt. Penny- 
 man & Bob Hardie. 
 
 
 
 
 cently, and together we went 
 round in 82. Hardie very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 much off his game. 
 
 
 .. 
 
 Beverley 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Harvey - 
 
 ft 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Black Watch G.C. V 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Beverley G.C. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. Tait v 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. MacFarlan v 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. Harvey v 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 A. G. Wauchope Y 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25 o 
 
 
 
 .. 
 
 Ganton 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. M. Chance 
 
 * 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 i, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 J 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 1897 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 16 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. R. Pater- 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 Both played very indifferent 
 
 
 
 
 
 son. 
 
 
 
 
 golf. 
 
 
 ,, ii 
 
 M 
 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 ii n 
 
 Halved 
 
 Both slightly better. 
 
 
 
 Feb. 6 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. E. S. 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 C. E. S. C. and D. Lyell very 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chambers & D. Lyell. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 good. D. L. four threes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 going out ! ! Self, good out, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad in. 
 
 
 ii 
 
 M 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ii 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 Best of balls very good. F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 G. T. indifferent. 
 
 
 8 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. S. C. 
 
 Best of 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 Played well. The 3 balls very 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 Everard, R.A. Hall, & 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 bad. Links in disgraceful 
 
 
 
 
 T. Morris. 
 
 
 
 
 order. Putting greens awful. 
 
 
 .. 9 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. T. Ar- 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well. Armour and Law 
 
 
 
 
 
 mour & G. H. Law. 
 
 
 
 
 rather off their game. 
 
 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. very fair. Opponents 
 
 
 
 
 New Course 
 
 
 
 
 
 rather better. 
 
 
 ii IO 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Yl H. S C. 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. good. Everard and 
 
 79 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 Everard & J. Os- 
 
 
 
 
 Oswald only fair. 
 
 
 
 
 wald 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. not so good. Oppo- 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 nents much better. J. Os- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wald almost holed putt at 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 last hole to half match. 
 
 
 ii IZ 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. E. S. 
 
 + 3 holes 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 Played very well, with excep- 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 Chambers. 
 
 
 
 
 tion of two holes. Cham- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bers only halved 4 holes, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and did not win any. 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 Played slackly, and with rather 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad luck. Won 2 byes. 
 
 
 ii *2 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. S. C. 
 
 Best of 
 
 5 
 
 Played well, 80. Won by 5 
 
 80 
 
 
 ii 
 
 Everard & J. Os- 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 and 4, and 4 byes. Oppo- 
 
 
 
 
 wald. 
 
 
 
 nents very bad coming in. 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 H. S. C. E. and J. O. very good, 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 80. F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Missed 3 short putts. 
 
 
 n J 3 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y Andrew 
 
 
 
 - i 2 
 
 A splendid match. Andrew in 
 
 83 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 Kirkcaldy. 
 
 
 
 great form, 5 up after first 
 6 holes. After that, F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good. Andrew holed a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fine putt at i6th hole and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 got dormie. A. K., 81. 
 
 
 283
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1897 
 Feb.is 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 _ 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 Another splendid match, both 
 
 _ 
 
 
 New Links. 
 
 
 
 
 
 in great form. F. G. T. only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 halved the 3rd hole by care- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lessly moving his ball with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hand while removing a piece 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of grass. The hole was 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S'ayed out and won by F. 
 . T., but he had, of course, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to lose a stroke, according 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to the rules of golf. This 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 unfortunate accident made 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the difference of i hole. A. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 K., So, a. magnificent score. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T., in, 4 3 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 37- 
 
 
 .. 15 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v T. Jeffrey - 
 
 i 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 T. Jeffrey very much out of 
 
 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 practice. Self very fair. 
 
 
 .. 17 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. V N. E. Play- 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T.good. N. E. P. off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair, R. A. Hull & 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 game going out, but good 
 
 
 
 
 I. Gardiner. 
 
 
 
 
 coming in. R. A. H. very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. TT N. E. Play- 
 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 N. E. P. very good ; round 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 fair & A. H. Cochran. 
 
 
 
 
 in 82. Self and Cochran 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bad. 
 
 
 24 
 
 North Ber- 
 wick. 
 
 F. G. T. v C. E. S. 
 
 Chambers. 
 Same Match - 
 
 3 holes up 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 1 Very strong wind. Both play- 
 j ing badly. 
 
 
 
 Mar. i 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y N. E. Play- 
 
 4 holes up 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 re. G. T. very fair. N. E. P. 
 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 ii ii 
 
 fair. 
 Same Match - 
 
 ii ii 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 J occasionally good, but not 
 1^ steady. 
 
 
 n 2 
 
 
 F. G. T. v H. S. C. 
 
 Best of 
 
 i 
 
 
 Both good matches. Very cold 
 day. Wind in afternoon a 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 Everard & A. H. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 regular gale. H. S. C. E. 
 
 
 
 
 Cochran. 
 
 
 
 
 played very well in both 
 
 81 
 
 ii 11 
 
 ii n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n ii 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 times. A. H. C. good out. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hull and Cochran both good 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in the morning. F. G. T. 81, 
 
 
 3 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. v R. H. Hull 
 
 Best of 
 
 Halved 
 
 with a 7. Afternoon, F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 & A. H. Cochran. 
 
 balls and 
 
 
 played first 6 holes badly, 
 
 
 
 
 
 i up. 
 
 
 
 after that, well. F. G. T. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 ii ii 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ii ii 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 last 12 holes 533444455 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 444. Hull and Cochran not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 so good as morning. 
 
 
 .. 4 
 
 n ii 
 
 F G. T. & J. E. Came- 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 All in good form. N. E. P. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ron Y N. E. Playfair 
 (with 4 up). 
 
 
 
 
 playing his long putts very 
 well. 
 
 
 .. 5 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. ft H. S. C. 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 7 
 
 F. G. T. very bad. N. E. P. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Everard, N. E. Play- 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 and H. S. C. E. both good, 
 
 
 
 
 fair & A. H. Cochran. 
 
 
 
 
 and putting very well. Best 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of 3 balls, 78. 
 
 
 ii >i 
 
 ii n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n n 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 F. G. T. much better. Com- 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bination rather too strong. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 78 once more. H. S. C. E. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and N. E. P. again very good. 
 
 
 ,, 6 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. ir N. E. Play- 
 
 n n 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 A fine match. F. G. T. i down 
 
 So 
 
 
 
 fair & A. H. Cochran. 
 
 
 
 
 and 6 to play. N. E. P. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A. H. C. not quite so good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the last two holes. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 42 out, 38 home 80. 
 
 
 11 
 
 n ii 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n n 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 Won first 7 holes. Out in 39, 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 back in 40. Strong wind 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 north. N. E. P. and A, H. C. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 indifferent. 
 
 
 284
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1897 
 Mar. 8 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. -y Andrew 
 
 Medal 
 
 
 i 
 
 All in good form. Andrew K. 
 
 
 
 
 Kirkcaldy & W. 
 
 Ground 
 
 Halved 
 
 81. F. G. T. good, with ex- 
 
 
 
 
 Auchterlonie. 
 
 specially 
 turned on 
 
 
 
 ception of a few long putts. 
 All driving well. Holes 
 
 
 
 
 
 for this 
 
 
 
 specially lengthened for 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 match, rather longer than 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 medal course. 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 F. G. T. very good out, but 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 very bad in. Out, 344444 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 5 = 34- In,446s 65 466 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 46. F. G. T. had putts to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole every hole out in 3, ex- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cept long hole. Short putt 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at gth hole in and out. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 {First time on Elie Links. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Played very badly in the 
 
 
 >> 9 
 
 Elie 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. E. Laidlay 
 
 __. 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 morning, having left St. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Andrews without breakfast. 
 
 
 n it 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 Laidlay fair in morning. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Afternoon both very bad. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Links in bad order. 
 
 
 ii 20 
 
 Canton 
 
 F. G. T. Y A, G. Wau- 
 
 12 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in form ; 35 out, 33 in 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 chope (Junior). 
 
 and i up. 
 
 
 
 = 68. Course rather short, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 about 3 strokes easier than 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 usual. A. G. W. very fair. 
 
 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. v A. G. Wau- 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 chope & C. G. Broad- 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 > All three rather indifferent - 
 
 
 
 
 
 wood. 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 ii 30 
 
 York 
 
 F. G. T. v C. Mac- 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 C. MacRae in great form. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rae. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 Apr. i 
 
 Ganton 
 
 F. G. T. v Major 
 Brougham. 
 
 18 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 {Played a very fair game both 
 rounds, 74 each time, with 
 2 bad holes. Major B. very 
 
 74 
 
 74 
 
 ii n 
 
 ii 
 
 n ii ii 
 
 n n 
 
 2 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 n 6 
 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Mac- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 W. MacF. in great form. Self 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 Farlan & C. G. 
 
 match. 
 
 8 
 
 - 
 
 very fair. Broadwood most 
 
 
 
 
 Broadwood. 
 
 
 
 
 indifferent. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & W. Mac- 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 i 
 
 A great match. Self and Mac F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Farlan Y H. Vardon 
 
 
 
 
 2 up and 3 to play, and lost 
 
 
 
 
 & C. G. Broadwood. 
 
 
 
 
 last 3 holes. F. G. T. missed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a very short putt at I7th 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole. 
 
 
 ,. 9 
 
 ' 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Mac- 
 Farlan & C. G. 
 Broadwood. 
 F. G. T. & W. Mac- 
 Farlan Y H. Vardon 
 & C. G. Broadwood. 
 
 3-ball 
 match. 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 F. G. T. very bad in both 
 matches. W. Mac F. in great 
 - form. Vardon very good. 
 Broadwood distinctly good 
 in afternoon. 
 
 
 ,, 15 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. H. Coch- 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 ran. 
 
 
 
 
 Very windy and greens very 
 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. H. Coch- 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 keen. Very difficult golt 
 
 
 
 
 ran & N. E. Playfair. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,. 16 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. T. Boothby 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 I 
 
 R. T. B. very fair. Self good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at first, but got too many up, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and then got careless, with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the usual result. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y L. M. Bal- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Played much better. L.M.B.W. 
 
 
 
 
 
 four Melville & C. 
 
 match. 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 very fair. C. W. rather poor 
 
 
 ,, 23 
 
 .. 
 
 Whigham. 
 F.G.T.Y J.M.William- 
 son & D. MacEwen. 
 
 36 holes 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 on the putting greens. 
 Played moderately. Mac- 
 Ewen and Williamson fair. 
 
 - 
 
 n 24 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. A. Hen- 
 
 Best of 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 Played badly. The two balls 
 
 
 
 
 
 derson & R. J. Bryce. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 also bad. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 ,, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n ii 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played well .... 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y L. M. B. 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 _ 
 
 {Played a strong game both 
 
 
 
 
 
 Melville. 
 
 
 
 
 rounds. Leslie off his put- 
 
 
 n n 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 ting 
 
 
 285
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1897 
 Apr.27 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. F. T. v C. Dalzlel - 
 
 A mateur 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well. Dalziel very good 
 
 __ 
 
 
 
 
 Cham- 
 
 
 towards the finish. 
 
 
 28 
 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Greig - 
 
 pionship. 
 
 _ 
 
 i 
 
 Putted very badly. Greig 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putted very well. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 F. G. T.Y H.H.Hilton 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 Played last three holes very 
 
 
 
 
 
 & J. E. Laidlay. 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 badly. H. H. and J. E. L. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 indifferent. 
 
 
 ,, 29 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Hornby & 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 i 
 
 Henderson in great form. 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. Henderson. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. v J. E. Laidlay 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 J. B. played a very fine game, 
 
 
 
 
 
 & J. Ball. 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 75. F. G. T. also very good, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 except I7th hole. J. E. L. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rather demoralised. 
 
 
 ,, 30 
 
 (( 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Graham - 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Both played well. F. G. T. got 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 over bunker at i6th hole in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two!!!!!! 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. & J. Graham Y 
 
 4-ball 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 Ball very good. Other three 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. Ball & H. H. Hilton. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 very fair. 
 
 
 May i 
 
 New Luflhess 
 
 F. G. T. v G. H. Law - 
 
 Luffness Med 
 
 I. 
 
 Played well, but with bad luck ; 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two unplayable balls. Won 
 
 
 > 3 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y Capt. W. 
 
 2 holes up 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 the medal all right. 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 Burn. 
 
 
 
 
 Full medal round. Played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very well. 
 
 
 i> ii 
 
 i 
 
 F.G. T.Y Andrew Kirk- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 Laidlay in great form. A. K. 
 
 
 
 .. 4 
 
 
 caldy & J. E. Laidlay. 
 F. G. T. Y N. E. Play- 
 
 match. 
 6 strokes 
 
 : 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 and self very fair. 
 N. E. P. two good for F. G. T. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 
 
 with a third. 
 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ,, 
 
 Halved 
 
 Both played well ... 
 
 
 
 .- 5 
 
 I n 
 
 F. G. T. Y N. E. Play- 
 
 St. Andrt 
 
 ws Spring 
 
 554566534 = 43 143556 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 Medal. 
 
 5 5 4 4 = 41. Strong cross 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tie for first medal. 
 
 wind. Played well with ex- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ception of three holes. 
 
 
 " " 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. Y L. M. B. 
 
 Melville. 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 654765544 = 46 ;53556 
 4554 = 42. F. G. T. putted 
 
 88 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 disgracefully. L. M. B. in- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 diflerent. 
 
 
 ., 17 
 
 Hoylake 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Hutchings 
 
 - 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 Both in fair form ... 
 
 - 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 C. H. off his game, and putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very badly. F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. E. Laidlay 
 
 14-holo 
 
 2 
 
 Both played very steadily 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 18 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Auchter- 
 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 }Two good matches. F.JG. T. 
 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 H 
 
 lonie. 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 putting badly. W. Auchter- 
 lonie played a fine, steady 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game. 
 
 
 19 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Rowe 
 
 Open Champion 
 
 ship 
 
 5 4 5 2 4 4 4 55 1 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5- 
 Played well. 
 
 79 
 
 " " 
 
 " 
 
 ,i n 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 4 55 3 5 6 3 5,3 ! 4 3 4 3 5 5 5 5 6. 
 Played well, but unluckily. 
 
 79 
 
 ii 20 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. R. Smith 
 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 455355264; 453355637- 
 Played well ; putted badly at 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the iSth hole. 
 
 
 " " 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 4 45 3 4 5 4 45 ; 5 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 5- 
 Played well, very unluckily. 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Finished third. 
 
 
 ii 21 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Ball - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 Both played well. J. B. holed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a mashie shot out of the 
 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 red 
 
 rushes at 3rd hole in. 
 Another good match. J. B. 4-up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at one time. F. G. T. nearly 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 won the match. 
 
 
 Aug.ao 
 
 St Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y Ed. B. H. 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Both fine matches. F. G. T. 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 first round missed some easy 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putts. 
 
 
 286
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1897 
 
 Aug.20 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 Ted Blackwell driving enor- 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 mous balls. F. G. T. 3 up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 on 36 holes. 
 
 
 ,i 21 
 
 n n 
 
 F.G.T.v Harold Finch 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. good with exception of 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton & E. R. Black- 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 a few holes. H. F. H.very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 
 
 E. R. B. rather off his game. 
 
 
 II II 
 
 ti n 
 
 F. G. T. Y Harold Finch 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 F. G. T. moderate. E. R. B. 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 Hatton & E. R. Black- 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 very good. Combination too 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 
 
 strong. 
 
 
 I 23 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. R. Black- 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 A fine match. F.G.T. two down 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 
 
 and five to play. E. R. B. 
 out in 37, and round in 81. 
 
 
 II 
 
 n n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. fairly good, but not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 steady. E. R. B. not so good. 
 
 
 .. 24. 
 
 
 F. G. T. TT L. M. B. 
 
 Tie iorMa-v \lt 
 
 dal. 
 
 F. G. T. 84. L. M. B. M., 89. 
 
 84 
 
 i *f 
 
 
 Melville. 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 474555434= 41- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In, 4 3 4 5 7 5 5 6 4 = 43. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Two bad holes. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Ed. B. H. 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in better form. Ted 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 Blackwell & L. M. B. 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Blackwell also good. L. M. 
 
 
 
 
 Melville. 
 
 
 
 
 B. rather off his game. 
 
 
 Sep. 24 
 
 ti ii 
 
 F. G. T. v Surgeon- 
 
 Best of 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well first round for a 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 Major Duncan & 
 
 balls and 
 
 
 
 mouth. Opponents very 
 
 
 
 
 Davidson. 
 
 2 strokes. 
 
 
 
 moderate. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 n ii 
 
 F. G. T. v H. Janion - 
 
 ^and 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 H. J. played too well going 
 
 92 
 
 
 
 
 i up. 
 
 
 
 out. F. G. T. bad all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 through, 92 ! ! ! ! 
 
 
 n 25 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. v C. Hutchings 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well both rounds. 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Strong wind. 
 
 
 ,. i, 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 C. H. good first round 
 
 83 
 
 ,, 27 
 
 ,. 
 
 F. G. T. v L. M. B. 
 
 Melville. 
 
 - 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 444454433=35! 5 3 4 5.5 
 4 4 5 5 = 4- F. G. T. m 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 great form. L. M. B. very fair. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 n n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 . . 
 
 _ 
 
 I 
 
 454454534 = 38 144445 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 5 6 4 = 40. L. M. B. in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 great form ; F. G. T. also. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M., 78, with a seven 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 for i6th hole ! ! 
 
 
 n 28 
 
 
 F. G. T. & A. G. T. v 
 
 36-hole 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 All bad first 18 holes. Second 
 
 
 
 
 
 E. B. H. Blackwell & 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 18 holes the brothers Black- 
 
 
 
 
 E. R. Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 well very good. A. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rather off his game. 
 
 
 29 
 
 
 F. G. T. v L. M. B. 
 
 Medal 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Out, 455445324 = 36; in, 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 Melville. 
 
 Round. 
 
 
 
 3 4 4 5 6 5 6 6 6 = 45- F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good for first 15 holes, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 last 3 holes awful. S. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson first with 80; F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 G. T, second, 81. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & L. M. B. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 L. M. B. M. and F. G. T. in 
 
 
 
 " " 
 
 
 Melville v J. E. Laid- 
 
 
 
 
 great form. J. E. L. quite off 
 
 
 
 
 lay & S. Mure Fer- 
 
 
 
 
 his game. 
 
 
 
 
 gusson. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 3 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. & E. R. Black- 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 well v S. Mure Fer- 
 gusson & Capt. W. 
 Burn. 
 
 
 
 
 A poor match all through ; all 
 ' played slackly. 
 
 
 
 n i. 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 Oct. 5 
 
 Canton 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Harvey & 
 N. N. Ramsay. 
 
 Best of 
 balls and 
 3 up. 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 (Two capital matches. J. H. 
 and N. N. R. in great form. 
 
 - 
 
 ii .1 
 
 .. 
 
 Same Match - - 
 
 3 
 
 . 
 
 
 ,, 8 
 
 Brougb 
 
 F. G. T. v Jackson - 
 
 3 
 
 !A regimental match; four a 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & W. MacFar- 
 lan Y Jackson & 
 Harrison. 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 side. We won by 14 holes in 
 the singles, and by 10 holes 
 in the foursomes. 
 
 
 287
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds ! 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS Score 
 
 1897 
 Sep. 12 
 
 Canton 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Harvey & 
 
 N. N. Ramsay. 
 
 Best of 
 balls and 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 !F. G. T. in great form first 
 round. J. H. and N. N. R. 
 
 - 
 
 .. ., 
 
 
 
 3 up- 
 Same Match - - - , ii n 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 very good after lunch. 
 
 
 ,. 16 
 
 Mulrfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. H. John- 
 ston. 
 
 36 holes 
 8 strokes. 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Played fairly well. R. H. J. 
 putted very well first round. 
 
 - 
 
 ., 23 
 
 Blairgowrie 
 
 F. G. T. v N. N. Ramsay 
 
 1 4 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 ) Beastly wet day. Both rather 
 
 
 
 i. 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 | off it. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,F. G. T. in great form. Estab- 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lished two records ; one for 
 
 
 .1 25 
 
 
 F. G. T. v N. N. Ramsay 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 the 9 holes, another for the 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 - 18. First round, 37 = 4 4 53 4 
 4 5 4 4=37- Second round, 33 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 543434433 = 33- N. N. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 V R. good second round. 
 
 
 Nov. 4 
 
 Barnton 
 
 F. G. T. v A. M. Ross'- 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 _ 
 
 Both played well. A. M. R. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good on the green. 
 
 
 16 
 
 Elie 
 
 F. G. T. v J. E. Laidlay 
 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 Both in good form. I. E. L. holed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a fine putt to half the match. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 fl 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 J. E. L. in great form. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good, except putting. 
 
 
 ,, 17 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. v J. E. Laidlay 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 J. E. L. again played very well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. also good, until the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putting green was reached. 
 
 
 M ii 
 
 ,, 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 f Both in great form in both 
 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 
 II 11 M 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 I 
 
 \ rounds. F. G. T., 77. J. E. 
 1 L., 76. 
 
 
 ., 18 
 
 
 F. G. T. v J. E. Laidlay 
 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 F. G. T. 4 up and 6 to play, 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and only halved ! ! ! Played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the last 4 holes very badly. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 J. E. L. in great form again. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. indifferent. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 M 
 
 n ii ii 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 J. E. L. rather tired and quite 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 off his game. F. G. T. fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Strong wind. 
 
 
 n 22 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v A. Kirkcaldy 
 
 Short 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well. A. K., i8th hole 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match of 
 
 
 
 in 3. 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 ,. 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. B. H. 
 
 Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 7 
 
 Ted played very well. F. G. T. 
 auite useless. 
 
 
 
 i 23 
 
 ii 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. F. H. Les- 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 F. G. T. worse than ever. F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 lie & F. M. Innes. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 M. I. very steady. 
 
 
 n it 
 
 n ii 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 lo-hole 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 F. G. T. a little better. Very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 cold and windy. 
 
 
 ,, 26 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. B. H. 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Both in good form. Capital 
 
 
 
 
 
 Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 it ii 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 Another splendid match, both 
 
 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 
 
 in great form. 
 
 
 ,i 29 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. v A. Rother- 
 
 6 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 ham. 
 
 
 
 Both played indifferently 
 
 
 
 II II 
 
 i, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n i. 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 I, 30 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & E. B. H. 
 
 4-ball 
 
 5 
 
 Ted in great form; F. G. T. 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 Blackwell v A. Kirk- 
 
 match, 
 
 
 
 also good. Our best ball in 
 
 
 
 
 caldy & W. Auchter- 
 
 36 holes. 
 
 
 
 morning, 74. Second round 
 
 
 
 
 lonie. 
 
 
 
 
 both of us in great form 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 again. Best ball, 69. Ted, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 76 ; self, 79. Ted holed short 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole in one. Our best ball 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 was as follows : 5434444 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 = 33:343554444 = 36 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 69. W. A. very good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A. K. rather unsteady, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 brilliant. In the first round 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the professionals did not win 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a single hole ! ! 
 
 
 288
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1897 
 Dec. 3 
 
 St. Andrews 
 New Links 
 St. Andrews 
 Old Links 
 
 F. G. T. v E. B. H. 
 
 Blackwell. 
 Same Match - 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 {Ground rather hard on ac- 
 count of frost. Approach- 
 ing very difficult. Both 
 played well under the cir- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cumstances. 
 
 
 n 4 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. vR. H. John- 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 F. G. T. played well first 
 
 
 
 
 
 ston & A. R. Pater- 
 
 balls, 
 
 
 
 round, but not well enough 
 
 
 
 
 son. 
 
 36-hole 
 
 
 
 second round. R. H. J. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 A. R. P. both good, espe- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cially R. H. J., second round. 
 
 
 ii 10 
 
 New Lufihess 
 
 F. G. T. & J. Kerr v 
 
 36-hole 
 
 IO 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and J. K. in great form, 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. G. Bloxsom & B. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 especially on the putting 
 
 
 
 
 Sayers. 
 
 
 
 
 green. Opposition demora- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lized slightly. F. G. T. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. K., 82 and 79. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Partner and self in great form 
 
 _ 
 
 ,, 18 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. & J. H. Aitken 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 in both rounds. L. M. B. M. 
 
 
 
 
 V L. M. B. Melville & 
 
 
 
 
 good, with exception of a few 
 
 
 
 
 R. H. Johnston. 
 
 
 
 
 short putts. R. H. J. good 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 in morning, but rather off in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 afternoon. 
 
 
 ii 20 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v H. Ferrier 
 Kerr, with a J. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 g-hole 
 match. 
 
 4 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 (H. F. K. driving well, but 
 rather uncertain on the green 
 and through the green. F. 
 G. T. in good form, 40 and 42. 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (G. H. L. only moderate. 
 
 82 
 
 n 21 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. v G. H. Law 
 
 Best of 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 H. F. K. fair in the morning, 
 
 
 
 
 & H. Ferrier Kerr. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 but badly off in the after- 
 
 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 
 
 g 
 
 _ 
 
 noon. F. G. T. very fair 
 
 
 n 11 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 n n 
 
 
 
 both rounds. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f Ground very hard with frost. 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ted played well both rounds, 
 
 
 n 22 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v E. B. H. 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 especially in the first. F. G. 
 
 
 
 
 Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 T. a little off in the after- 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 1 noon. Ted, 80 in morning. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 | F. G. T., i2th hole ma!!; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 t Ted, 3!!!! 
 
 
 ., 23 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v E. B. H. 
 
 Blackwell & E. R. H. 
 Blackwell. 
 
 3-ball 
 match. 
 
 4 
 7 
 
 - 
 
 (Considering the hard ground 
 all played well. E. R. H. B. 
 rather off it at beginning, but 
 quite good during the second 
 
 80 
 
 11 11 
 
 ii ii 
 
 11 t 
 
 II M 
 
 4 
 
 
 round. Ted not so good as 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 ~ 
 
 the day before. 
 
 
 1898 
 
 Jan. 8 
 
 Ascot 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Hamilton 
 
 8 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 (F. G. T. played well both 
 rounds, although suffering 
 
 77 
 79 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ,, 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 from a stiff knee. C. H. 
 moderate. 
 
 
 .. 9 
 
 New Zealand 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. A. W. 
 
 Cameron. 
 Same Match - 
 
 6 strokes 
 
 6 strokes 
 j 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played well both rounds, with 
 exception of a few short 
 putts. My first visit to N.Z. 
 
 78 
 75 
 
 
 
 
 ana 
 i hole up. 
 
 
 
 C. A. W. C. very fair. 
 
 
 .. J5 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. IT W. Carr - 
 
 36-hole 
 match. 
 
 7 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. played well first round ; 
 rather indifferently second 
 
 
 
 
 
 : 8 strokes. 
 
 
 
 round. W. Carr not in form. 
 
 
 ,, 16 
 
 
 F. G. T. TT F. E. Faithful 4 strokes 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. E. F. driving badly. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 moderate. Very foggy. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & C. A. W. 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and C. A. W. C. in 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cameron v Hon. A. 
 
 
 
 
 great form. Opponents de- 
 
 
 
 
 H. Grosvenor & F. E. 
 
 
 
 
 moralised. 
 
 
 
 
 Faithful. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,. 29 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. v S. Mure Fer- 
 gusson. 
 
 36-hole 
 match. 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 First round, neither played very 
 well. Second round, F. G. T. 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in great form ; round in 75. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mure Ferguson not driving 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 289
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 Jan. 30 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. with i up Y 
 
 Best of 
 
 6 
 
 
 F. G. T. very steady. Other 
 
 
 
 
 
 C. A. W. Cameron 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 two very bad. 
 
 
 
 
 & W. D. Bovill. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 a 
 
 F. G. T. & C. A. W. 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 C. A. W. C. driving very well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cameron v W. D. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. moderate. Bovill 
 
 
 
 Bovill & A. H. Trevor 
 
 
 
 
 very fair. A. H. T. rather 
 wild. 
 
 
 Feb. 5 
 
 Wimbledon 
 
 F. G. T. v N. R. Foster 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 Very cold day. Both played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fairly well. 
 
 
 ,. 9 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. & Capt. G. 
 Verner v Capt. Pen- 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 A capital match all through, '< 
 and won by a very lucky putt 
 
 
 
 nyman & Capt. F. J. 
 
 
 
 
 on last green. G. V. in great 
 
 
 
 
 Carruthers. 
 
 
 
 
 form. Pennyman putted ex- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tremely well. F. G. T. fair. 
 
 
 ,. 13 
 
 
 F. G. T. v W. M. Corrie 
 Same Match - 
 
 i 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 1 Played well both rounds. W. 
 f M. C. not in his best form. 
 
 76 
 
 19 
 
 Richmond 
 (Sudbrook 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Gairdner 
 & D. Kinloch. 
 
 3-ball 
 match. 
 
 4 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 }F. G. T. in poor form both 
 rounds. Gairdner good se- 
 
 79 
 
 
 Park). 
 
 
 
 
 
 cond round. D. K. good se- 
 
 
 n 11 
 
 ii n 
 
 11 ii ii 
 
 ii n 
 
 U A 
 
 A 
 
 cond round. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ha 
 
 ved 
 
 . 
 
 
 11 20 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Gairdner - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 J. G. rather off his driving all 
 
 
 
 .. i. 
 
 ,, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 day, but his approaching and 
 putting was good. F. G. T. 
 
 
 i. ,i 
 
 
 
 Same Match (n holes) - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 in excellent form. 
 
 
 .. 25 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. & Capt. F. J. 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 Carruthers a little off his game. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Carruthers v Capt. 
 
 
 
 
 Pennyman driving badly but 
 
 
 
 
 Pennyman & Major 
 J. Reid. 
 
 
 
 
 putting very well. F. G. T. 
 and Reid steady. 
 
 
 i. 27 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. v R. Graham 
 
 Best of 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 i' R. G. M. and F. E. B. good in 
 
 
 
 
 
 Murray & F. E. Bad- 
 
 balls 
 
 
 
 the morning, but not so good 
 
 
 
 
 deley. 
 
 and j. 
 
 
 
 after lunch. F. G. T. vety 
 
 
 ,, ., 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 fair all through. 
 
 
 Mar. 4 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. M. Young 
 
 12 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. putting very well. E. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 M. Y. rather unsteady, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 driving well. 
 
 
 ,- 5 
 
 Wimbledon 
 
 F. G. T. Y F. E. Faith- 
 ful. 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 F. G. T. very fair, with ex- 
 ception of last four holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. E. F. in good form. 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 F. G. T. & F. E. Faith- 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 7 
 
 J. H. T. and C. A. W. C. In 
 
 
 
 
 
 ful Y J. H. Taylor & 
 
 
 
 
 great form. F. E. F. quite 
 
 
 
 
 C. A. W. Cameron. 
 
 
 
 
 off his game. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 moderate. 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 F. E. F. rather better. F. G. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T. rather worse. C. A. W. C. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putting in great style. Tay- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lor very straight and steady. 
 
 
 ,. 6 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. Y F. E. Faith- 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. in great form; 76, 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 ful. 
 
 
 
 
 with two sevens, F. E. F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very fair. 
 
 
 11 ii 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & F. E. Faith- 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 E. R. H. B. and C. A. W. C. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ful Y E. R. H. Black- 
 
 
 
 
 very steady. F. E. F. simply 
 
 
 
 
 well & C. A. W. 
 
 
 
 
 awful. F. G. T. good under 
 
 
 
 
 Cameron. 
 
 
 
 
 the circumstances. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (~W. Carr and F. T. Welman 
 
 78 
 
 i. 12 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y F. T. Wei- 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 - ! 1 both fair in the first round, 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 man & W. Carr. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 -{ but very indifferent second 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 . 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 round. F. G. T. good all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 t. through. 
 
 19 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. S. Paton - 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 Strong wind. F. G. T. in i 75 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 great form, 75 (record of i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Woking). J. S. P. very fair. I 
 
 290
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH Odds 
 
 IWon 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 Mar.ig Woking F. G. T. Y W. A. Hen- 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 Wcking v Oxford University, 
 
 _ 
 
 
 derson. 
 
 
 
 9 a side. F. G. T. in great 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. W. A. H. a little off. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Woking won all the matches 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 except two halved. 
 
 
 25 
 
 Duddingston F. G. T. Y L. M. Bal- 
 
 z 
 
 - 
 
 Both played well considering 
 
 
 
 
 
 four Melville. 
 
 
 
 
 the awful day (snow, sleet, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and wind). 
 
 
 26 
 
 ,, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 Same beastly weather. L. M. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 B. M. in great form. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very fair. 
 
 n ii 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. & L. M. B. 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 F. G. T. and L. M. B. M. ! 
 
 
 
 Melville Y W. Auch- 
 
 
 
 
 started badly, and were 
 
 
 
 terlonie & B. Sayers. 
 
 
 
 
 4 down after 6 holes, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 after that both played well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. A. and B. S. both good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Awful day ; snow, sleet, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a gale blowing. 
 
 
 n 31 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. Y F. E. Bad- 
 deley & Woodroffe. 
 
 Best of 
 balls 
 
 Halved 
 
 Woodroffe in great form, espe- 
 cially putting. F. E. B. very 
 
 
 
 
 and j. 
 
 
 fair. F. G. T. steady. 
 
 
 Apr. i 
 
 Woking F. G. T. Y Capt. G. 
 
 i stroke 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Verner driving very well. F. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Verner. 
 
 a hole. 
 
 
 
 G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. & Capt. G. 
 
 j 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 W. S. in good form. Verner 
 
 
 
 
 
 Verner Y Capt. W. 
 
 
 
 
 rather off his game. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 Sellar. 
 
 
 
 
 moderate. 
 
 
 ,, 8 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Oswald & 
 
 Best of 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 444733 336 = 37; 4555 65 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 E. Lehman. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 3 4 4 = 41. Strong wind. J. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 O. very fair. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. D. Blyth - 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 I 
 
 Both in good form. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 missed some short putts. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 ,, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 1 1 -hole 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. better. A. D. B. not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 so good. 
 
 
 ,. 9 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & S. S. Schultz Handicap 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Very strong wind. S. S. S. 
 
 90 
 
 
 
 & T. R. Mills. 
 
 round by 
 
 
 
 rather off his game. T. R. 
 
 
 
 
 
 strokes. 
 
 
 
 M. very steady. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. S. Schultz 
 
 Best of 
 
 Halved S. S. S. in great torm : out in 
 
 
 
 
 
 & T. R. Mills. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 36. T. R. M. holed a very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fine putt on the last green to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 half match. F. G. T. good. 
 
 
 ii 10 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. getting i hole 
 
 36-hole 
 
 _ 
 
 5 F. G. T. rather tired after 
 
 
 
 and i bisque Y W. D. 
 Bovill, E. Lehman & 
 
 match. 
 
 
 36-hole match with A. D. B., 
 W. D. B. and J. O. in great 
 
 
 
 
 J. Oswald. 
 
 
 
 form. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. D. Blyth - 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 - i Both played very well, espe- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cially in the first round. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Very strong wind made put- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ting very difficult. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y F. A. Booth - 
 
 36-hole 
 
 6 
 
 P- 
 
 F. G. T. 5 up after first round 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 . A. B. very good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 second round up till loth 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole. F. G. T. very steady 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 both rounds. 
 
 
 12 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y T. R. Mills 
 
 Best of 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 Very strong cold wind. F. G. 
 
 
 
 
 
 & S. S. Schultz. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 T. in great form. T. R. M. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and S. S. S. both rather off. 
 
 
 i M 
 
 ,, 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ii n 
 
 Halved A good match all through ; all 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 played well. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. with i up and 
 
 n ii 
 
 _ 
 
 i 
 
 The best ball very good. F. 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 i bisque Y J. Oswald, 
 
 
 
 
 G. T. very fair, rather un- ! 
 
 
 
 Murray Smith, & W. 
 
 
 
 
 lucky on the putting green. 
 
 
 
 
 D. Bovill. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,. 13 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y T. R. Mills - 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 T. R. M. quite off his game. 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. in great form. 
 
 
 M n 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. S. Schultz 
 
 n n 
 
 - 
 
 3 F. G. T. not so good. S. S. S. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in great form. 
 
 291 
 
 T 2
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 Apr. 1 4 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 F. G. T. v S. S. Schultz 
 
 i hole up i 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. 3 down at the turn, 
 
 
 
 
 & W. M. Grimshaw. 
 
 and best 
 
 
 and home in 30. S. S. S. 
 
 
 
 
 
 of balls. 
 
 
 
 putting very well. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n n 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 S. S. S. again in great form. 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. good. Home in 39. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. Robert- 
 
 i5-hole 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. and J. R. W. in great 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 son Walker v S. S. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 form out ; in, 38. C. H. P. C. 
 
 
 
 
 Schultz & C. H. P. 
 
 
 
 
 quite out of form. 
 
 
 
 
 Carter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .1 J 5 
 
 
 F. G. T. v S. S. Schultz 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 T. R. M. very fine out ; S. S. S. 
 
 
 
 
 
 & T. R. Mills. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 very good in. Best ball, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 74!!! F. G. T. very good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bar 4th hole. 
 
 
 II It 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n n 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 S. S. S. in irresistible form, 76. 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T. R. M. also good. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very good except 3 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Best ball, 75. 
 
 
 16 
 
 |( 
 
 F. G. T. & C. H. P. 
 
 4-ball 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and C. H. P. C. in 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carter v T. R. Mills 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 great form, and rather strong 
 
 
 
 
 & S. S. Schultz. 
 
 
 
 
 for T. R. M. and S. S. S. 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 Best ball of C. H. P. C. and 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. (74). F. G. T., 75, 
 record of Sandwich ; 35 and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 40. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 fS. S. S. not putting up to 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. F. G. T. good both 
 
 
 i 17 
 
 
 F. G. T. v S. S. Schultz 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 rounds. The last round of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 77 ought to have been a 72 
 
 
 n >i 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n ii 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 had the putting been even 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ordinary. Greens rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. fiery. 
 
 
 ii 22 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. v Hon. H. H. 
 
 3 strokes 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 H. Finch Hatton quite off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 Finch Hatton. 
 
 
 
 
 game. F. G. T. in good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. Two short holes in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two each. 
 
 
 23 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. v S. S. Schultz 
 & F. T. Welman. 
 
 Best of 
 balls. 
 
 8 
 
 - 
 
 36 holes. F. G. T. very steady, 
 other two not in form. 
 
 
 
 ,, 30 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v Hon. S. 
 Finch Hatton. 
 Same Match - 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 7 
 3 
 
 ; 
 
 \S. Finch Hatton quite off his 
 J game. F. G. T. indifferent. 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 {F. G. T. putted very badly in 
 
 80 
 
 May 2 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. TT S. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 the morning. Both good in 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 
 the afternoon. S. M. F. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 n n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 made some wonderful re- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 coveries. 
 
 
 n 4 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Hon. H. H. 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 Medal Round. F. G. T. putted 
 
 86 
 
 
 
 Finch Hatton. 
 
 
 1 
 
 abominably. H. H. F. H. in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 great form. 
 
 
 ii >i 
 
 F. G. T. & Hon. H. H. 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 3 up and 3 to play and only 
 
 
 
 
 Finch Hatton Y A. F. 
 
 
 
 
 halved the match! H. H. 
 
 
 
 
 Macfie & C. Hutch- 
 
 
 
 
 F. H. in great form until the 
 
 
 i 7 
 
 Wimbledon 
 
 ings. 
 F. G. T. v Lord E. 
 
 Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 10 
 
 last 3 holes. 
 F. G. T. dead off. Opponents 
 
 
 
 Hamilton & F. E. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 very steady, especially be- 
 
 
 
 Faithful. 
 
 
 
 
 fore lunch. 36-hole match. 
 
 
 ,, 8 
 
 Byfleet F. G. T. v F. E. Faith- 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 7 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. once more in form. 
 
 
 
 
 
 fill. 
 
 
 
 
 F. E. F. quite off. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 F. G. T. & F. E. F. v 
 
 4-ball 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. and F. E. F. rather 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 Harold Finch Hatton 
 
 match, 
 
 
 
 strong for other two. 
 
 
 
 
 & W. Carr. 
 
 best of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 against 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 best of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 two. 
 
 
 
 
 
 >i ii 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match (10 holes) - 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Same thing again. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and F. E. F. rather strong. 
 
 
 ,i 14 
 
 Woking F. G. T. & A. T. Law- 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. and partner in good 
 
 
 
 
 rence v J. S. Paton 
 
 
 
 
 form. J. S. P. and A. F. B. 
 
 
 
 & A. F. Burr. 
 
 
 
 indifferent. 
 
 
 292
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date i Links MATCH 
 
 Odds Won! Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 Mayi4 
 
 Woking F. G. T. v J. S. Paton 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 [I 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in great form, 74, 
 
 74 
 
 
 & A. F. Burr. 
 
 9 strokes 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 equals record of Woking. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 16 : in. 38. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. with 2 holes v 
 
 Best of 
 
 5 
 
 - ! The four balls quite out of 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. S. Paton, A. F. Burr, 
 Sir T. Parkyns & A. 
 
 4 balls, 
 14-hole 
 
 
 
 form. F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 
 i E. Balfour. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 (] 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. D. Blyth - 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Both in good form. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 home in 36!! 434456253 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 =36. 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 F. G. T. v J. S. Paton & 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Very windy day. F. G. T. in 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 C. A. Sugden. 
 
 balls and 
 
 
 
 good form, especially in put- 
 
 
 
 
 
 i hole up. 
 
 
 
 ting. J. S. P. not quite 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in form. C. A. S. played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 n 20 
 
 Hoylake F. G. T. v E. D. 
 
 Prothero. 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 
 IF. G. T. played badly both 
 J rounds. E. D. P. fair. 
 
 - 
 
 n 21 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Ball, jun. - 
 
 36-hole 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 {F. G. T. in great form both 
 rounds. J. B. very good se- 
 
 
 
 ,. 23 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. Y Hon. O. 
 Scott & Hon. D.Scott. 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 i 
 
 cond round. F. G. T. 5 up 
 first round ; all square 
 second. All played well. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. Graham 
 
 Best of 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 443244254 = 32; 433354 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 Y J. Ball & H. H. 
 Hilton. 
 
 two 
 against 
 
 
 
 5 4 5 = 36. F. G. T., J. G., and 
 H. H. H. in great form. H. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 best of 
 
 
 
 and J. B. did not win a 
 
 
 
 
 
 two. 
 
 
 
 single hole ! ! ! ! Best ball of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. and J. G. 
 
 
 24 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Wilson - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 First round of Amateur Cham- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 pionship.?. G. T. not put- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ting well. J. W. played very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 pluckily. 
 
 
 M 25 
 
 H 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Hutchings 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 A very fine match; both in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 great form. C. H. finished 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 magnificently. F. G. T. won 
 
 
 
 'S- 
 
 
 
 
 
 at the igth hole. 
 
 
 n 
 
 "g 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. H. Hilton 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 The Open Champion quite de- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 moralised, and totally in- 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 
 
 
 
 capable of playing any kind 
 of shot. F. G. T. very steady. 
 
 
 
 -5 ( 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. H. H. did not win a single 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hole ! ! ! 
 
 
 ,, 26 
 
 1 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Graham - 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 Both putted badly. J. G. missed 
 
 .. 
 
 
 "s 
 
 
 
 
 
 a very short putt to half the 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 T 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. L. Low - 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 A great struggle. F. G. T., al- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 though rather off his game, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 managed to win the match 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at the 22nd hole, after a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 series of great recoveries. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. L. not at his best. 
 
 
 n 27 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Mure 
 
 Final, 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. 3 up at half time (put- 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. 
 
 36 holes. 
 
 
 
 ting extraordinarily well). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S. M. F. in great form, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 unlucky on the green. Se- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cond round, F. G. T. in great 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. S. M. F. very good up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 till the gth hole. 
 
 
 II 29 
 
 Sandwich F. G. T. v S Mure 
 
 ~ 
 
 4 
 
 F. G. T. very slack. S. M. F. 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 very fair, and putting well. 
 
 II 
 
 F. G. T. & S. Mure Fer- 
 
 2 holes ' 3 
 
 - 
 
 The two finalists much too 
 
 
 gusson v A. D. Blyth 
 
 up in 
 
 
 good for opponents. 
 
 
 
 & F. E. Faithful. 
 
 n holes. 
 
 
 
 
 II 30 
 
 F. G. T. v F. E. Faith- 
 
 Best of 5 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. in great form. Oppo- 
 
 
 
 
 ful & Murray Smith. balls. : ; 
 
 sition feeble. 
 
 293
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 
 May 30 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 F. G. T. & E. Hambro 
 
 4 
 
 
 F. G. T. and E. H. started 
 
 
 
 
 v S. Mure Fergusson 
 
 
 
 
 badly by losing the first 4 
 
 
 
 
 & A. D. Blyth. 
 
 
 
 
 holes, but won 8 out of the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 next 9 ! ! ! ! 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 
 F. G. T. & S. Mure Fer- 
 
 4-ball 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 S. M. F. and F. G. T. In great 
 
 72 
 
 
 
 gusson v E. Hambro match. 
 
 
 
 form. E. H. rather off his 
 
 
 
 
 & A. D. Blyth. 
 
 
 game. Best ball. 
 
 
 ,, 3i 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Gairdner - 3 strokes ' 3 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. quite good. J. G. very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 iair. 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Gairdner Best of i - 
 
 4 
 
 The two balls rather good for 
 
 
 
 
 
 & Martin Smith. balls. 
 
 
 F. G. T. Only n holes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 played. 
 
 
 n i 
 
 
 F. G. T. & S. Mure Per- 4 -ball | 5 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. and S. M. F. again in 
 
 
 
 
 
 gusson v E. Hambro match. 
 
 
 
 great form. E. H. quite off 
 
 
 
 
 & A. D. Blyth. 
 
 
 
 
 his game. A. D. B. very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good. 
 
 
 June i 
 
 . 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Mure St. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson. Gtorge's 
 
 
 
 ) F. G. T. played well, but was 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
 Challenge 
 Cup 
 
 
 
 very lucky to beat S. M. F., 
 t- who played very fine golf on 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 Competi- 
 
 
 
 )a beastly day of wind and 
 
 
 
 
 
 tion. 
 
 
 
 rain. 
 
 
 .. .. 
 
 i. 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 .. 4 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. v C. H. P. 
 
 1 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 C. H. P. C. fairly on the spot. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n "n 
 
 F. G. T. & A. G. Wau- 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 F. G. T. and A. G. W. were set 
 
 
 
 
 chope Y C. H. P. 
 
 
 
 
 an impossible task, but came 
 
 
 
 
 Carter & R. Graham 
 
 
 
 
 out of it fairly well. R. G. 
 
 
 
 
 Murray. 
 
 
 
 
 M. putting very well. 
 
 
 .. 5 
 
 F. G. T. v C. H. P. 
 
 4 holes 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in great form. C. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carter. 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 P. C. started badly, but fin- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ished well. 
 
 
 >! 
 
 
 F. G. T. & A. G. Wau- 
 
 2 holes 
 
 Halved 
 
 A great match. A. G. W. a 
 
 
 
 
 
 chope Y C. H. P. 
 
 up. 
 
 
 little indisposed. 
 
 
 
 
 Carter & R. Graham 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Murray. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 II >l 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. & R. Graham 
 
 4 -ball 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and R. G. M. i down 
 
 
 
 
 
 Murray v W. Carr & 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 and 3 to play ! ! 
 
 
 
 
 C. H. P. Carter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. H. Finch 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Both played fairly well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 .. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 Both played indifferently. 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. & H. H. Finch 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 F. G. T. played very badly. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton Y S. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 S. M. F. and E. H. good. 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson & E. Ham- 
 
 
 
 
 H. H. F. H. good, but not 
 
 
 
 
 bro. 
 
 
 
 
 supported by F. G. T. 
 
 
 8 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. G. Mac- 
 
 Open 
 
 Played very well going out, 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 Farlan. 
 
 Championship. 
 
 but badly and with bad luck 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in. Out, 36; in, 45. Seven 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to the 17th hole!! Missed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 five short putts ! 
 
 
 ,, ,. 
 
 .. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 
 
 Played well .... 
 
 77 
 
 ,. 9 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Neaves - 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 Played very well, but rather 
 
 75 
 
 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 
 
 
 unlucky in my long putts. 
 Came to awful grief in the 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 "Cardinal," but played well 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and finished fifth. H. Var- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 don, Park, Hilton, Taylor, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tait, was the order. 
 
 
 11 ii 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Mure Fer- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 i 
 
 (_ 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 gusson & W. S. Foth- 
 
 match (6). 
 
 5 
 
 S. M. F. good first round, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 ringham. 
 
 
 
 
 ! rather off the second. W. 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 
 n ii ii 
 
 3-ball 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 [ S. F. quite off his usual 
 
 
 
 
 
 match, 
 
 5 
 
 - 1 I game. 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 strokes. 
 
 
 IJ 
 
 
 294
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won Lostj REMARKS 
 
 i 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Juneia 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. v J. S. Paton Best of 
 
 _ 
 
 4 
 
 ") 
 
 
 
 
 & W. Cart. balls. 
 
 
 
 Three very fine matches. J. 
 
 
 
 ) 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 }- S. P. and W. C. rather hot 
 
 
 i) n 
 
 ,, 
 
 ii ii n 
 
 n n 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 for F. G. T. 
 
 
 ,, 18 
 
 
 F. G. T. v J. L. Rid- 
 
 2 up 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 J. L. R. rather off his game. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 path. 
 
 and \. 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. L. Ridpath 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. and J. L. R. three 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 v C. A. W. Cameron 
 
 
 
 down and seven to play, but 
 
 
 
 
 & W. Carr. 
 
 
 
 won next six holes. 
 
 
 19 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. v J. L. Rid- i up 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 J. L. R. quite off his game ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 path. and \. 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. playing well. 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 Same Match - - - 2 up 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 J. L. R. much better. F. G. T. 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 and $. 
 
 
 
 in great form ; round in 74. 
 
 
 ii 24 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. H. Finch 2 strokes. 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 Played for the New Zealand 
 
 ;6 
 
 
 
 Hatton. 
 
 
 
 Cup, and came in second, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 76 + 4 = 80 ; winning score, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 93 16 = 77. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. H. Finch 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 H. H. F. H. quite off his game 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton & Rand. 
 
 
 
 
 both rounds. F. G. T. not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good second round. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y Rand - 
 
 i stroke 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 Both in good form - 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 >i 2 5 
 
 
 F. G. T. v H. H. Finch ; New Zealand 
 
 F. G. T. in great form; won 
 
 73 
 
 
 
 Hatton. 
 
 Annual 
 
 Meeting. 
 
 Medal, Brookland's Cup, and 
 Sweepstake. H. H. F. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 not good. 
 
 
 25 
 
 
 F, G. T. & H. H. Finch 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton v Major D. 
 Kinloch & Rand. 
 F. G. T. & Newton v 
 Major D. Kinloch & 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 I 
 
 I F. G. T. rather feeble both 
 J- rounds. Rand in great form. 
 i Finch Hatton very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 E. G. Rand. 
 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 
 26 
 
 
 F. G. T. v S. Mure Fer- 
 
 3-ball 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 IS. M. F. and self in good form 
 
 
 
 
 
 gusson & H. H. Finch 
 
 match, 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 both rounds. H. H. F. H. 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton. 
 
 2 strokes. 
 
 
 
 good first round, rather off 
 
 
 
 
 
 n n n 
 
 n ii 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 his game the second. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 29 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. & J. Mellor Y 
 D. A. Kinloch & New- 
 
 4-ball 
 match. 
 
 3 
 
 
 | Major Kinloch rather off his 
 game. Mellor indifferent. 
 
 - 
 
 ii n 
 
 fl 
 
 ton. 
 Same Match ... 
 
 ii n 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 J Self and Newton very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Newton 
 
 3 strokes 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 Both very fair - - - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 7 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 July 7 
 
 Frinton 
 
 F. G. T. Y Major Lind- 
 
 \ 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 IF. G. T. rather out of form in 
 
 _ 
 
 .. J3 
 15 
 
 Woking 
 
 say. 
 F. G. T. & Caldwell Y 
 Major Lindsay & 
 Capt. Stewart. 
 F. G. T. Y J. S. Paton - 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 all these matches. Major 
 Lindsay sometimes outdrove 
 i the champion. 
 
 Finished in the dark in 76 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 and i up. 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. S. Paton 
 
 Best of 
 
 - 
 
 6 
 
 "I 
 
 
 
 
 & R. H. Balloch. 
 
 balls and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 up. 
 F. G. T. & R. H. Bal- 2 holes 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 loch Y J. S. Paton & 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hon. A. Lyttelton. 
 Same Match - 
 
 lo-hole 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Very hot. F. G. T. very slack. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i hole up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. H. Bal- 
 
 Best of 
 
 I 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 loch, F. E. Cuming & 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. S. Paton. 
 
 
 J 
 
 
 295
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 July 17 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. & R. H. Bal- 
 
 36-hole 
 
 _ 
 
 7 
 
 R. H. B. quite off his 'usual 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 loch v F. E. Cuming 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 game. F. E. C. and J. B. 
 
 
 
 
 & J. Braid. 
 
 
 
 
 distinctly good. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very fair. 
 
 
 i ii 
 
 H 
 
 F. G. T. with i hole up 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 A very close and exciting 
 
 
 
 
 
 v F. E. Cbming, T. S. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 match ; won at last hole. 
 
 
 
 
 Paton & A. E. Balfour. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 it 22 
 
 Felixstowe 
 
 F. G. T. v A. E. Kennedy 
 
 6 strokes 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 . . 
 
 
 .. 23 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ii n 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Strong wind both days. F. G. 
 T. played one good round, 
 
 
 
 ,, ., 
 
 
 
 ., 
 
 6 strokes 
 and 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 78. A. E. K. in very fair form. 
 Greens very dry and bumpy. 
 
 
 
 
 
 i bisque. 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v A. E. Kennedy 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 All fairly bad. 
 
 
 
 
 
 & J. Hutchinson balls and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Driver. 
 
 3 strokes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 i. 29 
 
 Old Lufihess 
 
 F. G. T. v L. R. Gray 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 & R. C. Kltto. 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 ,, ., 
 
 
 
 
 Best of 
 balls. 
 
 
 i 
 
 Played badly all day. 
 
 
 
 .. .. 
 
 ii 
 
 Same Match ... 
 
 .i .. 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 ,. 30 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & W. T. Ar- 
 mour v ]. Brotherston 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 / County Cup Competition.-'Won 
 by New Luffhess, represented 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 & H. Cunningham. 
 
 
 
 
 by W. T. Armour and F. G. 
 
 
 i i 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. & W. T. Ar- 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Tait, and A. M. Ross and T. 
 
 
 
 
 mour Y J. E. Laidlay 
 
 
 
 
 - T. Gray. New L. beat Dirle- 
 
 
 
 
 & A. O. MacKenzie. 
 
 
 
 
 ton Castle, first round ; New 
 
 
 * i 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. & W. T. Ar- 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 L. beat Honourable Com- 
 
 
 
 
 mour v T. M. Hunter 
 
 
 
 
 pany, second round ; New 
 
 
 
 
 & C. L. Dalziel. 
 
 
 
 
 L. beat Tantallon, final round. 
 
 
 Aug.i6 
 
 Great Bentby 
 
 F. G. T. Y Major Lind- 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Both played well. The Major 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 say, R.A. 
 
 
 
 
 in great driving form. 
 
 
 .. 19 
 
 Woking 
 
 F. G. T. v J. S. Paton - 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 Ha 
 
 ved 
 
 Both played well, but finished 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and z up. 
 
 
 
 last four holes in the dark. 
 
 
 ii 20 
 
 ,, 
 
 ii ii ii 
 
 n n 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 Record of Woking. Out, 435 
 
 73 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 34434 5 = 35; in, 4 44 5 4 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 444=38. 
 
 
 i ii 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. & J. S. Paton v 
 
 36-hole 
 
 Ha 
 
 ved 
 
 A very fine match. C. Rowe in 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 J. H. Outhwaite & C. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 very fine form. All played 
 
 
 
 
 Rowe. 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 ii 21 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. S. Paton - 
 
 __ 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. with a driver and an 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 iron played Paton with all his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 clubs. F. G. T. came home 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 36!!!! 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. S. Paton - 
 
 A ic-hole 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 J. S. P. not in his best game. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 strokes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. S. Paton 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 C. Rowe again in great form. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Y J. H. Outhwaite & 
 C. Rowe. 
 
 
 
 
 Paton quite off his game. 
 
 
 26 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Finch 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 ) 
 
 
 
 
 Halton. 
 
 
 
 
 > Both played well - 
 
 _. 
 
 ,. .. 
 
 >. 
 
 Same Match (8 holes) - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 J 
 
 
 ii 27 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii n ii 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 >S. F. H. not so good 
 
 ~ 
 
 28 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y S. Finch 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 _ 
 
 1 
 
 
 .. ., 
 
 ., 
 
 Halton. 
 Same Match - 
 
 - 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 1 S. F. H. quite off his game, 
 f F. G. T. very fair. 
 
 - 
 
 .. .. 
 
 
 
 Same Match (7 holes) - 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 J 
 
 
 Sep.za 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. Whyte & 
 
 Best of 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 All rather out of form 
 
 
 
 i C. A. W. Cameron. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 296
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 Sep.23 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v R. T. 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Both putted badly - 
 
 
 
 
 
 Boothby. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 .1 
 
 F. G. T. & R. T. 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 R. T. B. quite off his game. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Boothby v J. Low & 
 
 
 
 
 J. L. and A. F. M. fair. 
 
 
 
 
 A. F. Macfie. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n 24 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. v W. Greig - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 F. G. T. putted very badly. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 W. Greig in great form. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 , 
 
 F. G. T. v A. G. Tait & 
 
 Best of 
 
 I 
 
 _ 
 
 All played badly 
 
 
 
 
 
 C. A. W. Cameron. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. & A. G. Tait 
 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 The opposition, although round 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 y C. Hutchings & J. 
 
 
 
 
 in 81, were simply smother- 
 
 
 
 
 Graham. 
 
 
 
 
 ed. The Brothers Tait made 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the foursome record of St. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Andrews, 74 ! ! ! Out, 4644 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 64433 = 38; in, 324565 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 4 3 = 36 = 74. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 II H 
 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 The play in the afternoon was 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 not so good. 
 
 
 ii 27 j .. 
 
 F. G. T. v L. M. B. 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 F. G. T. not putting well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Melville. 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M. very steady. 
 
 
 II 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. O. Fairlie 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 A good match up to the I4th 
 
 
 
 
 
 VL. M. B. Melville & 
 
 
 
 
 hole. 
 
 
 
 
 W. J. Mure. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I. 28 
 
 
 F. G. T. v Capt. W. 
 
 Medal 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 Very wet and windy, putted 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 Burn. 
 
 Round. 
 
 
 
 badly all the way out, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lost at least 6 strokes. Played 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well in, except i7th hole, 7 ! ! ! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 42 ; in, 40. Tied with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M. for 2nd. 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & Capt. W. 
 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 F. G. T. and Capt. W. B. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Burn v S. Mure Fer- 
 
 
 
 
 dormie two, and only hal- 
 
 
 II 29 
 
 
 gusson & J. E. Laidlay. 
 F. G. T. v L. M. B. 
 
 Tie for 
 
 F. G. 
 
 T.78, 
 
 ved!! 
 F. G. T. in great form, only 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 Melville. 
 
 Gold 
 
 L.M.B.M. 
 
 missed one putt, and holed 
 
 
 
 
 
 Medal. 
 
 83- 
 
 no long ones. Out, 45445 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4434 = 37 ;435654464 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 = 41 = 78. 
 
 
 
 
 F.G.T.&L. M.B.Mel- 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and L. M. B. M. in 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 ville Y S. Mure Fer- 
 
 
 
 
 great form; round in 77. 
 
 
 
 
 gusson & J. E. Laidlay. 
 
 
 
 
 L. M. B. M. putted very well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out, 37 ; in, 40 = 77. 
 
 
 ii 3 
 
 
 F. G. T. & L. M. B. Mel- 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. and L. M. B. M. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ville v S. Mure Fer- 
 
 
 
 
 rather slack. S. M. F. not in 
 
 
 Oct. 6 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 gusson & C. Whigham. 
 F. G. T. v R. H. Bal- 
 
 J 
 
 i 
 
 
 his best form. 
 Played with strange and bor- 
 
 
 
 
 
 loch & C. Whigham. 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 rowed clubs, and played very 
 badly. C. Whigham off his 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 putting. R. H. B. very fair. 
 
 
 ,, 8 
 
 New Luffness 
 
 
 
 New Luffness 
 Autumn Meeting. 
 
 F. G. T. in great form, with 
 exception of half-a-dozen 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 short putts. Won medal by 
 
 
 
 
 || 
 
 
 7 strokes. G. H. L. not in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form, 92. 
 
 
 n 15 
 
 Mulrfield F. G. T. v L. M. Balfour 
 
 I5th hole 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 R. H. J. in good form. L. M. 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 Melville & R.H.John- 
 ston (2 holes up). 
 Same Match - 
 
 in 3 H 
 
 i5th hole 
 in 2 ! ! ! ! 
 
 i 
 
 Hal 
 4 
 
 ved 
 
 B. M. not quite in form. 
 F. G. T. very fair. 
 L. M. B. M. and F. G. T. in 
 great form on a very difficult 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 day ; strong wind and rain. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 R. H. J. not quite so good as 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in the morning. 
 
 
 ii 22 
 
 New Luffness 
 
 F. G. T. & A. R. Pater- 
 son v A. G. Tait & 
 R. H. Johnston. 
 F. G. T. with i hole up 
 v A. G. Tait, R. H. 
 Johnston & A. R. 
 
 4-ball 
 match. 
 
 Best of 
 balls. 
 
 5 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 T. G. T. in great form both 
 rounds. A very difficult day 
 to play, strong wind and 
 rain. A. G. T. and A. R. P. 
 j not in form. R. H. J. good. 
 F. G. T. equalled record first 
 round, and holed nth hole 
 
 76 
 77 
 
 
 
 Paterson. 
 
 
 
 
 L ins!!!! 
 
 
 297
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1898 
 Nov.iz 
 
 Barn ton 
 
 F. G. T. A. Mac- 
 
 _ 
 
 5 
 
 - 1 
 
 
 
 
 Donald. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. 
 
 
 F. G. T. with 2 holes up 
 
 Best of 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 v A. MacDonald & 
 T. T. Gray. 
 F. G. T. with i hole up 
 
 balls. 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 
 Putted well all day. Mac- 
 donald and Gray very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 V A. MacDonald & 
 
 balls, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T. T. Gray. 
 
 g-hole 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. -v J. E. Laidlay 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 }F. G. T. in good form all day. 
 J. E. L. not putting well. 
 
 81 
 79 
 
 Dec.20 
 
 North 
 
 F. G. T. v W. T. Ar- 
 
 Best of 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in good form. W.T. A. 
 
 
 
 
 Berwick 
 
 mour & Angus Mac- 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 a little off. A. MacD. very 
 
 
 
 
 Donald. 
 
 
 
 
 fair. 
 
 
 1899 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 4 
 
 New Luffness 
 
 F.G.T.irJ. McL. Mar- 
 
 Best of 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 shall & A McL. Mar- 
 
 eV^ll 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 ! i2th hole in 2 ! ! First round, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Snail. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 
 balls and 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 > J. Marshall in good form, 
 (especially putting. 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 holes up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 .1 20 
 
 Barnton 
 
 F. G. T. v C. E. S. 
 
 3 holes up 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Chambers' brother also played. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chambers. 
 
 
 
 
 I lost to him by i, giving $. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Very wet day. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (F. G. T. in great form. G. H. 
 
 78 
 
 Feb.ii 
 
 New Luffness 
 
 F. G. T. ir G. H. Law 
 & J. M. Bow. 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 
 balls. 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 L. and J. M. B. not quite in 
 form. 75 record, after a very 
 bad start for first 6 holes. 
 Out, 554645333 = 38; in, 
 
 75* 
 
 16 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. TT H. Ferrier 
 
 2 Up 
 
 5 
 
 
 V 445346335 = 37- 
 f Strongish wind. H. F. K. quite 
 
 _ 
 
 
 wick. 
 
 Kerr. 
 
 and J. 
 
 
 
 -! out of form. F. G. T. " bang 
 
 
 .. ,, 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ,, ,. 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 L on it." 
 
 
 17 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. & G. Younger 
 
 36-hole 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and G. Y. rather strong 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y J. E. Cree & H. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 for J. E. C. and H. F. K., nei- 
 
 
 
 
 Ferrier Kerr. 
 
 
 
 
 ther of whom were in form. 
 
 
 20 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v Tom Morris 
 
 Best of 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 & F. H. Woodroffe. 
 
 balls 
 
 
 
 T. M. and F. H. W. not quite 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 and |. 
 
 
 
 in form. F. G. T. in great 
 
 81 
 
 )l t) 
 
 ii i> 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 form, especially driving. 
 
 
 
 
 
 balls 
 
 
 
 Bunkers full of water. 
 
 
 
 
 
 and A. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii 21 
 
 ii ii 
 
 F. G. T. v W. N. Boase 
 
 3 holes 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 W. N. B. quite off his game. 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 Out, 433545434=35! in. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 44467455 4 = 43- 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 ii ii 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 n ii 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in great form. Links 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very wet and heavy, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bunkers full of water. Out, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 43 44 545 35 = 37! in, 45. 
 Strong wind from the soutn 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 both rounds. 
 
 
 n 22 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v Ned Scratton 
 
 4 strokes, 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 & F. H. Woodroffe. 
 
 12 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and i up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 n ii n 
 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 F. H. W. rather off his game. 
 
 80 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 Ned occasionally very good, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 but rather unsteady. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in fine form, with exception 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of a few holes. 6445655 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 34 = 42; 5445 44444=38. 
 
 
 ,. 23 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. IT G. H. Law 
 
 & H. Ferrier Kerr. 
 
 Best of 
 balls. 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 54445553 4 = 39; 434444 
 365 = 37. Played very well. 
 
 76 
 
 ,, 24 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v H. L. Puxley 
 & R. A. Gordon. 
 
 Best of 
 balls and 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played a good, steady game all 
 through. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 bisques. 
 
 
 
 
 
 298
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date Links 
 
 MATCH [ Odds 
 
 Won Lost| REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1899 
 Feb.24 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 
 
 
 
 H. L. P. and R. A. G. played 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 balls 
 
 
 
 some excellent holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 and 7 up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 n n 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. L. Puxley 
 
 36-hole Halved 
 
 This match was played at the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 match, 
 
 
 same time as the 3-ball 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 holes 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,. 25 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Ferrier 
 
 Best of 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Very foggy in the morning; 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kerr & J. Kerr. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 only played 10 holes. H. F. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 K. in good form. 
 
 
 ii 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 Best of 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Beautiful afternoon. J. K. put- 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 balls and 
 
 
 ted very well. F. G. T. in 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 strokes. 
 
 
 great form ; 3 bunkers going 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 out and 6 to short hole in, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and round in 81. H. F. K. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 not quite so good. 
 
 
 Mar.io 
 
 Oxford 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. C. Ellis - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 5 
 
 F. G. T. could not putt at all. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ellis very good. F. G. T. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lost one bye as well. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 H 
 
 F. G. T. & R. H. John- 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and R. H. J. began to 
 
 
 
 
 
 ston Y T. M. Hunter 
 
 
 
 
 understand the links a little ' 
 
 
 
 & E. C. Lee. 
 
 
 
 
 better, and played rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 M 12 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. & B. H. Blyth 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 ("All played rather moderately. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y R. H. Johnston & 
 
 
 
 
 j Also played 10 holes v A. R. P. 
 
 
 
 
 A. R. Paterson. 
 
 
 
 
 1 and R. H. J. (best of balls 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 " 
 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 L and i up), and halved. 
 
 
 n 14 
 
 
 F.G.T.Y Earl of Win- 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 _ 
 
 "I 
 
 
 
 chelsea. 
 
 
 
 
 f-Both played rather skittles. 
 
 
 
 .. ,i 
 
 ' 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 j 
 
 
 April i 
 
 North Ber- 
 wick. 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Ferrier 
 Kerr. 
 Same Match - - - 
 
 Jand 2 
 holes up. 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 "1 H. F. K. not in form. F. G. T. 
 j very fair. 
 
 
 
 n 7 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Ferrier 
 
 2 holes 
 
 _ 
 
 j 
 
 Both in very fair form, with 
 
 
 
 ii 8 
 
 
 Kerr. 
 F. G. T. Y J. E. Laidlay 
 
 up and g. ii 
 Tantallon Medal 
 
 the exception of putting. 
 Played a perfectly stinking 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 game ; 3 putts on every green. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. E. L. very wild, but putting 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 well. J. E. L. won in 85; 
 F. G. T., 94. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 F. G. T. a little better. J. E. L. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 much the same. 
 
 
 j- 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Ferrier 
 
 2 up and 
 
 i - 
 
 Played very well. H. F. K. 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 Kerr. 
 
 i- 
 
 
 also very good, but three or 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 four of his strokes were of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 no use. 
 
 
 ii 14 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. H. John- 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 R. H. J. in great form. 
 
 
 
 
 wick 
 
 ston. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii 20 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 F. G. T. Y Dr. Bryce - 
 
 4 strokes 
 
 Halved 
 
 Dr. Bryce drove very well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Neilson & 
 
 Best of 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 In great form first 14 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 E. D. Prothero. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 In, 68. Opposition demo- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ralised. 
 
 
 ii 22 
 
 New Luflness 
 
 
 New Luflness 
 
 Played well, but with rather 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Spring 
 
 Meet! 
 
 ng. 
 
 bad luck ; 78. A. W. Robert- 
 son won medal in 77. 
 
 
 ,, 25 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Hunter - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 Putted badly. Hunter in good 
 form. Only played 14 holes. 
 
 
 26 
 
 " 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 : 
 
 4 
 2 
 
 
 fPlayed good golf. Hunter not 
 { driving very well, but put- 
 i. ting beautifully. 
 
 
 ,, 27 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y Gilbert 
 Whigham. 
 F. G. T. Y R.Maxwell - 
 
 
 
 I 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Played rather slackly. G. W. 
 first 5 holes very good. 
 Played well, with exception of 
 two holes. R. M. very fair. 
 
 80 
 
 299
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1899 
 May i 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y Major P. C. 
 
 2 holes 6 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. Livingston. 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & P. C. I. Liv- 
 ingston V C. Hutch- 
 
 
 ~ 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ings & W. H. Burn. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v I. E. Laidlay 
 
 8-hole 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 & Earl of Winchil- 
 
 match, i 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 sea. 
 
 
 
 
 
 it 2 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. v Capt. W. H. 4 strokes 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Burn. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. & Capt. W. H. 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Burn V L. M. B. Mel- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ville & S. Mure Fer- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 gusson. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. 3 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. v F. M. Orr - 
 
 i stroke 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 New Links. A round before 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and 3 
 
 
 
 medal. 
 
 
 
 
 
 holes up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii n 
 
 n n 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. L. Low - 
 
 Spring 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 Meeting. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii i 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. v J. L. Low & 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C. E. Hambro. 
 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 F G. T. v Earl of Win- 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 _^ 
 
 
 
 chilsea. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. &EarlofWin- 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 chilsea v H. G. Hut- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 chinson & C. Hutch- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ings. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. &EarlofWin- 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 chilsea v S. Mure 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fergusson & C. E. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hambro. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. & E. Mitchell 
 
 Conservative Club 
 
 
 
 87 
 
 
 wick. 
 
 Innes. 
 
 Medal. 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 11 ii 
 
 F. G. T. & E. Mitchell 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Inncs Y C. E. S. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chambers & Angus 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Macdonald. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 9 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. D. Pro- 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 thero. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. ,, 
 
 .. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 6 strokes 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 79 
 
 .. 13 
 
 Duddingston 
 
 F. G. T. & L. M. B. 
 Melville Y J. E. Laid- 
 
 36-hole 
 match. 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 16 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 lay & C. Dalziel. 
 F. G. T. Y J. L. Low & 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C. Whigham. 
 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 
 F. G. T. & H. H. Hilton 
 
 Best of 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y J. L. Low, C. Whig- 
 
 two v 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ham & E. D. Pro- 
 
 best of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 thero. 
 
 three. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii 17 
 
 F. G. T. & C. Whigham 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y H. H. Hilton & 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. L. Low. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii it 
 
 F. G. T. & C. Whigham 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y H. -H. Hilton & 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. L. Low. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 18 ; 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Gilroy - 
 
 i hole up 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 9 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Gilroy & 
 
 3 up 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 G. H. Law. 
 
 4 up 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 ii 2O ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. H. Hil- 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ton. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii ii ' ii 
 
 F. G. T. & J. E. Laidlay 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y J. Ball & H. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hilton. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,. 22 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. L. Low Y 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. H. Hilton & J. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Graham. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 
 
 Same Match - - - | 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 300
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 1 Won 
 
 Lost ! REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 ' I8 99 
 
 May 23 
 
 Prestwick 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. R. Aitken 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. M. Bal- 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 ingall. 
 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 ,. 
 
 F. G. T. Y. S. H. Fry - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. Y G. F. Smith 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 Amateur Championship. Lost 
 on playing off tie. 
 
 
 
 . 25 
 
 
 F. G. T. v H. H. Hil- 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ton. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. M. Wil- 
 
 3 1 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 liamson. 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. Ball 
 
 Final, 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 holes. || 
 
 
 
 June 3 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Finch 
 
 2 strokes i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hatton. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i. 
 
 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 it 4 
 
 
 F. G. T. & C. E. Ham- 
 
 4-ball 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bro Y J. Ball & S. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mure Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & C. E. Ham- 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bro Y J. Ball & S. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mure Fergusson. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 11 5 
 
 
 F. G. T. & W. Mure Y 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. G. Hutchinson & 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. Finch Hatton. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. H. Finch 
 
 St. 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 Hatton. 
 
 George's 
 
 
 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 Cup 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Competi- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tion. 
 
 
 
 
 
 11 7 
 
 
 F.G.T.YH.G. Hutch- 
 
 Open 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 81 
 
 
 " 
 
 inson. 
 
 Cham- 
 
 
 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 
 pionship. 
 
 
 
 
 
 11 8 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y Herd - 
 
 ii ii 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 79 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 82 
 
 ii 10 
 
 Byfleet 
 
 F. G. T. Y Earl of W. 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 & R. G. Murray. 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & R. G. M. Y 
 
 Best of 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Earl of W. & Whig- 
 
 balls v 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ham. 
 
 best of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 ii ii 
 
 n 
 
 F. G. T. Y Earl of W. 
 
 6 strokes 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 & R. G. Murray. 
 
 ]j 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 n n n 
 
 n n I 4 
 
 - 
 
 45324444315554443 43 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 ii 17 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. F. K. & 
 
 Best of 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 E. Mitchel Innes. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 ii 21 
 
 Carnoustie 
 
 F. G. T. Y MacLean & 
 
 Best of 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 R. A. Gordon. 
 
 balls and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 strokes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Same Match - - - 5 strokes 4 
 
 - 
 
 44453444 5 = 37; 4 5 3 4 5 S 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 
 and best , 
 
 
 4 3 4 = 37. 
 
 
 
 
 
 of balls. 
 
 
 
 
 ii 22 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. A. Gor- 
 
 Best of 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 don, Wemyss, & Mac- balls and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lean. 2 strokes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 holes. 
 
 
 
 i, 23 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. F. Kerr - 
 
 6 strokes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 wick 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii 24 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y H. Ferrier 
 
 Best of 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kerr & J. E. Cree. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 ii .i 
 
 n M 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ,. 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 ~ 
 
 301
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1899 
 
 uly 5 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. E. Cree & 
 
 Best of 1 4 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well .... 
 
 
 
 wick. 
 
 G. L. MacEwen. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. ,. 
 
 .. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 ,. ., 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 Only played 14 holes 
 
 
 
 i. 7 
 
 New Luffness 
 
 F. G. T. v Rev. J. Kerr 
 
 i stroke 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 
 a hole. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ., 15 
 
 Archerfield 
 
 F. G. T. Y G. H. Law 
 
 4 holes 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 i> >i 
 
 
 
 ii ,i ii 
 
 >i ii 
 
 8 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. in great form. 4433 
 
 63-1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 34343 = 31; 34343443 
 4 = 32. Record of Archer- 
 field. 
 
 
 .. 21 
 
 Canton 
 
 F. G. T. Y W. Park - 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. in great form : lost a 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 few shots through not know- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ing greens. Park driving 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & J. Ball Y T. 
 
 4-ball 
 
 _ 
 
 2 
 
 badly. 
 F. G. T. and J. B. rather feeble. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Vardon & C. G. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 T. Vardon good for 1 1 holes. 
 
 
 
 
 Broadwood. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 22 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. Y C. Dalziel & 
 
 Best of 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 Played well. C. Dalziel and 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. M. Brown. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 H. M. B. played with bor- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rowed clubs. 
 
 
 24 
 
 M 
 
 F. G. T. & W. Park Y 
 
 36-hole 
 
 - 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. Ball & H. Vardon. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 27 
 
 Muirfield 
 
 F. G. T. & R. Maxwell 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y C. Dalziel & Mans- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 field Hunter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 " 
 
 F. G. T. & R. Maxwell 
 Y T. Brotherston & 
 
 County 
 Cup. 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 Our other foursome lost by a 
 
 
 
 
 
 H. Cunningham. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 29 
 
 H 
 
 F. G. T. & R. Maxwell 
 
 36-hole 
 
 10 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Y C. L. Dalziel & M. 
 
 match. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hunter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ti 31 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. H. Coch- 
 
 4 holes. 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 New Links .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 ran & E. C. P. Boyd. 
 
 5 holes. 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 lUg. I 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. H. Wilson 
 
 7 holes 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. ., 
 
 i 
 
 F. G. T. Y D. I. Lamb - 
 
 4 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. F. Macfie 
 
 3 holes 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 .. 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. C. P. Boyd 
 
 5 holes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Calcutta Cup - 
 
 _ 
 
 .. 3 
 
 ,- 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. O. Fairlie 
 
 4 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 .. 4 
 
 II 
 
 F. G. T. Y Dr. A. H. 
 
 5 holes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Vassie. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,. ., 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. L. Low - 
 
 2 holes 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 
 
 .. S 
 
 
 
 i, 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. & J. O. Fairlie 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 Y J. L. Low & H. C. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ellis. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ., 18 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. O. Fairlie 
 
 6 strokes | 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 25 
 
 St. Andrews 
 New Links 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. B. H. 
 
 Blackwell & E. R. H. 
 
 
 
 7 
 7 
 
 - 
 
 Played well. Also won 3 byes 
 from Ted. Ted and Ernley 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 Blackwell. 
 
 
 
 
 both off their game. 
 
 
 1 It 
 
 l II 
 
 F. G. T. Y E. R. H. 
 
 3 holes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 MM 
 
 82 
 
 
 
 Blackwell. 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 11 II 
 
 F. G. T. Y G. H. Law, 
 
 Best of 
 
 3 
 
 
 }" 
 
 
 
 
 J. M. Bow & C. J. 
 Currie. 
 
 balls. 
 
 
 
 Played excellently - 
 
 So 
 
 ,, 
 
 ., 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 >, 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 79 
 
 31 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. H. Coch- 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 _ 
 
 Played indifferently. A. H. C. 
 
 _ 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 ran. 
 
 
 
 
 very feeble. 
 
 
 302
 
 Golfing Diary 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1899 
 Aug.3i 
 
 St. Andrews 
 Old Links 
 
 F. G. T. Y A. H. Coch- 
 ran & G. Mellor. 
 
 Best of 
 balls. 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well. Out, 4644 76 
 54433= 37; in, 444464 | 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 5 4 = 39- Best of balls very 
 good, 78. Right hand course 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 long. 
 
 Sep. i 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v A. G. Tait, 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 F. G. T. last 10 holes in 39, a 
 
 81 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 J. R. Hutchison & J. 
 
 
 
 record [3445254444 
 
 
 
 
 Stott. 
 
 
 
 
 = 39. Best of balls very 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 good. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 n i> 
 
 M n ii 
 
 n ii 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. again in great form. 
 
 79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. S. not in form. A. G. T. i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 did most of the work. 
 
 
 ii 2 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v C. Hutch- 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 _ 
 
 First 5 holes bad ; after that, 
 
 80 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 ings. 
 
 
 
 
 excellent golf. C. H. fair. 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 n n 
 
 ii ii ii 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played moderately well. C. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 very fair. 
 
 
 
 
 F G. T. v W. H. Fow- 
 
 5 strokes 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 Played well most of the wav 
 
 
 
 
 ler. 
 
 
 
 
 round. Fowler in good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 form. 
 
 ii n 
 
 ii n 
 
 F. G. T. & W. H. Fow- 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 F. G. T. and W. H. F. very hot, 
 
 
 
 ler v J. L. Low & 
 
 
 
 
 with exception of two holes. 
 
 
 
 
 A. G. Tait. 
 
 
 
 
 i7th hole on top of Old 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Station ! ! ! 
 
 
 .. 5 
 
 ii i- 
 
 F. G. T. Y J. T. Cath- 
 
 14 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 cart. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 II 1 
 
 n ii 
 
 F. G. T. -y J. B. Gri- 
 
 12 strokes 
 
 8 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 mond. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ., 6 
 
 ,, 
 
 F. G. T. Y R. H. John- 
 ston. 
 
 5 strokes 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 Jubilee Cup .... 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. v W. E. Fairlie 
 
 ,. 
 
 3 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 F. G. T. v C. A. W. 
 
 9 strokes 
 
 _ 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cameron. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ! l 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. ir A. G. Tait - 
 
 3 holes 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 Played very well; 79 with a 
 
 
 
 
 New Links 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 to 6th hole. Alec very fair. 
 
 
 ,. 8 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. v C. Hutch- 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 I 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 ings. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n ,i 
 
 ., 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 i. 
 
 2 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 n 9 
 
 North Ber- 
 
 F. G. T. & C. F. Whig- 
 
 Tantallo 
 
 n Mec 
 
 lal. 
 
 Strong wind ; putted badly. 
 
 89 
 
 
 wick 
 
 ham. 
 
 
 
 
 J. E. Laidlay won with 87. 
 
 
 n n 
 
 
 F. G. T. & C. F. Whig- 
 
 Best of 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 F. G. T. and C. F. W. only 
 
 
 
 
 
 ham v T. M. Hunter 
 
 two v 
 
 
 
 moderate. P. Wynne putted 
 
 
 
 
 & P. Wynne. 
 
 best of 
 
 
 
 very well. 
 
 
 
 
 
 two. 
 
 
 
 
 
 n 21 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. & Osmand 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 4 
 
 }F. G. T. played badly first 
 
 
 
 
 Old Links 
 
 Williams v E. R. H. 
 
 
 
 
 round, and well second. O. 
 
 
 
 
 Blackwell & C. A. W. 
 
 
 
 
 W. quite off his putting. C. A. 
 
 
 
 
 Cameron. 
 
 
 
 
 W. C. and E. R. H. B. both 
 
 
 ii .. 
 
 n n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 in good form. 
 
 
 ii 22 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. & C. A. W. 
 
 2 strokes 
 
 3 
 
 _ 
 
 L.M.B.M.andC. H. not in good 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Cameron v L. M. B. 
 
 
 
 
 form. C. A. W. C. played 
 
 
 
 
 Melville & C. Hutch- 
 
 
 
 
 well. 
 
 
 
 
 ings. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n ii 
 
 n 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 23 
 
 
 F. G. T. v R. H. John- 
 
 i up and 
 
 6 
 
 _ 
 
 Played well ; 80. Strong wind 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 ston & C. A. W. 
 
 2 strokes, 
 
 5 
 
 
 and keen greens. 
 
 
 
 
 Cameron. 
 
 i up and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & R. H. John- 
 
 3 holes 
 
 i 
 
 _ 
 
 F. G. T. and R. H. J. 4 down 
 
 
 
 
 
 ston v A. G. Tait & 
 
 up. 
 
 
 
 and 5 to play, and won 
 
 
 
 
 C. A. W. Cameron. 
 
 
 
 
 match. 
 
 
 i- 25 
 
 " ". 
 
 F. G. T. & A. G. Tait 
 v C. Hutchings & Ed. 
 Blackwell. 
 Same Match - 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 2 
 
 ved 
 
 }A11 played well. Very wet, 
 especially in afternoon. Tails 
 3 down and 4 to play. 
 
 
 303
 
 F. G. Tait 
 
 Date 
 
 Links 
 
 MATCH 
 
 Odds 
 
 Won 
 
 Lost 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 Score 
 
 1899 
 Sep.26 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 F. G. T. & A. J. Balfour 
 V Ed. Blackwell & 
 Ernley Blackwell. 
 
 Receiv- 
 ing 
 4 strokes. 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 : 
 
 - 
 
 i. ,, 
 
 Same Match - ' - 
 
 
 
 Halved 
 
 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 F. G. T. v Ed. Black- 
 well. 
 
 A utumi 
 
 i Med 
 
 al 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 " " 
 
 F. G. T. & Ed. Black- 
 well v C. Hutchlngs 
 & L. M. B. Melville. 
 
 Best of 
 two and 
 best of 
 two. 
 
 3 
 
 ' 
 
 ;.~ 
 
 " 
 
 28 
 
 
 
 F. G. T. & A. G. T. v 
 
 L. M. B. Melville & 
 C. F. Whigham. 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 i. 11 
 
 .. 
 
 Same Match - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 5 
 
 Won 4 byes. 
 
 - 
 
 Oct. i 
 
 Lytham and 
 St. Anne's. 
 
 F. G. T. v J. Ball - 
 
 
 
 Hal 
 
 ved 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 36-hole 
 match. 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, HER MAJESTY'S PRINTERS, LONDON. 
 304
 
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