Si 0) 7dur found yScctt/sh Go/f K/Csfon- Super- 0) T/SC 5961 3 RB TOUR ROUND SCOTTISH GOLF LINKS. SOBIBA. [From the " Newcastle Daily Journal," Sept. land 17,1SSS.] To the many readera of the Journal who are devotees of the fascinating game of golf I have thought that perhaps it might not be uninteresting if, through the medium of your columns, I gave them a short account of some oF t'ie Sootoh golfing linka visited recently by four members of the Tyneside Olub, beginning at Dunbar, on the Haddington coast. Arriving at Dunbar by the 2 50 train from Newcastle on the afternoon of Saturday, 23rd June, we engaged the station 'bus to convey us to tho Links, about three-quarters of a mile distant] where, having selected whom we thought the moit iutelligent-lookins " cadies" from amongst tho throng of boyB in waiting, we commenced ttie round of 16" holes. The situation of the golfing course is very fine, charming views of tke Baas Eock, May Island, and long Btretohes of the Haddington const forming a delightful panorama. The grass throughout the course u rather longer than is desirable for the gamp, but the " putting greens " were all th.it ooultl bo desired. The Dunbur golf course lies out near Broxmouth PdrW, tha peat of the Duchess of Roxburghe, and, without entering into details of the hazards, &o , at each hole, I may mention the fine approach to the third hole across tlie burn; driving to the fourth hole one requires to keep an undtviating course, as the links here come to a very narrow compass, a "heeled ball" going over the park wall, while a "toed ilrive" lands the player on to the rocks and into tho sei should the tide be up. There are plenty of fairly rood hazards throughout, such as the good stiff atone walla which faoe one approaching the fifth green, or in driving to No. 11. On arriving on the links we found that an open prize competition was just being concluded, aud amongst the successful competitors we had the pleasure of congratulating Hr Oliver Thomson of Edinburgh (brother of Me E. T. Thomson of AInmouth), who had gained third honours with 90 gross for the 18 holes. The prizss, to the value of about £25, were distributed by the Duchess of Roxburghe in the part, where luncheon and refreshments were supplied in a most luxuriously fitted-up cart Bhed ! The captain of the Dunbar club is Mr "YY. B. Glen, S.S.O., of Edinburgh, who is also a member of the AInmouth club. The grass on the links at Dunbar fines down considerably towards the autumn, by whioli time I should fancy tho Bourse would be in capital order. The lowest record is held by Mr J. E. Laidley, viz,, 78. Taking the train in the evening for North Berwick, we found comfortable quarters at the Eoyal Hotel, adjoining the station and close to tho links. On Sunday, the 24th .Tune, in company with Mr Bartholo- mew of Edinburgh, whose acquaintance we had formed at the "Koyal," we had a delightful walking excursion round the coast as far as Canty Bay. The tenant of the small hotel here is the custodian of the famous Buss Rock, the favourito resort of tho f»annet or solon goose, the puffin, and numerous oiher sea birds, The Bass is 313 feet above the sea level, and is quite an ornament to the Forth, as well as a place of considerable historical interest, inasmuch as both Charles II. and James VII. used it as a place of imprisonment for the Covenanters. Round the point from Oanty Bay we come upon Tantallon Castle, famous in history as having been the principal castle of the Douglas family. Tantallon was destroyed by the Oromwelliaus under General Honk, its owner, the Marquis of Douglas, being a favourer of the Royal cause. The ruined castle is now owned by Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., of Leuchie. Sir "Walter Scott has further immortalised Tantallon in his poem of Marmion. Any mention of North Berwick would bo incompleto with- out noticing the cuiioui conical hill called North Berwick Law, 012 feet high, which is quite a landmark for many miles round ; thfl hill literally swarms with rabbits nnd hares. On Monday, 25th June, wo were np betimes, tbe Doctor rousing us and prescribing a hot salt-water b.ith (the wind being easterly, going into tb.9 sea was out of the qms' tion). We walked along to the Marine Hotel, which part of the programme (viz., the baths) having been gone through, we returned with a good appetite for breakfast, and eager for tha fray on tho links. Having interviewed Tom Dunn, and . obtained from him the requisite pass for the private part of the Links, and four " caddies," wo resolved ourselves into singles for the morning. Tbe afternoon was devoted to a foursome matcb, which was well contested, tho finish of which, however, was most amusing, and, at the same time, rather alarming, for tue Doctor, on driving from "Point Garry" to the home hole, to use a crloketing term, drove bi-j ball from tho tee very hard to the "off," (he result of which was that it crashed through the dining room window of a house adjoining, and landed on tho table where a family were sitting at luncK We were slad to learn, however, on making inquiries, that no one had been hurt, and the Doctor got off by piying the damage, nftor many profuse apologies. North Eersviek is a deservedly popular seaside rosorb of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, more especially those addicted to wielding the hicoory. Tlis jrolfing course embraces all kinds of r!iffi- oulties and hazards, and may justly ho described as a thoroughly sporting green, every club requiring skilful and careful handling if the plnyer wished to avoid the yawning bunkers whioh await either a topped ball or a ball drivou off the line. Many of tho holes ate rithor short, which necessitates the use off the tee of a cleek or an iron in preference to the driver. Point Garry, on the Kiimrtiit: of which are two putting ereens serving for the first hole going out and tho 17th hole coming in, is perhaps th'i most difficult part of the 3OUTIE to negotiate, Any partial lo'criptim, of the links would b: incomplete without reference to the chaiming scenery on all sides; the distant coast of Fife, the Craix, the Lamb, the massive Bass, with its myriads of seafowl, &c, &c, form a delightfnl picture, the contempklion of which causes much oonsolation, when, for instance, you may be one or two holes down, and, again, much exhilaration when you are one or two holes up, and perhaps your opponent in an ad- joining banker with his drive. After two solid days' golf at North Berwick, it was once more time to be on the more; so, having dined at the " Royal," we paoked up, and a pair-horsed waggonette b^ing ready for us, we started (Tuesday, 2Gsh June) for Gnllane, distant about five or six miles, the road taking us Ihroagh beautiful country, notably Direlton village, a de- lightfully old-fashioned and picturesque spot, with its old, ivy-clad castle. Continuing through the fertile valley of East Lothian, and pasBiug Archerfield, the residence of Lady Hamilton, we arrived at Quilane, and put up at the Golf Hotel (Smith's). There being still a couple ot hourB1 daylight left, we sauntered out on to the linkB, the sight of which was too much for the restless spirits of two members of our party, who must forthwith have their olubs out and play a few holes. Having walked a short way round with them and noticed the hundreds of rabbits disporting themselves, K. and my- self turned back to the hotel, where we were joined shortly after by N. and the Doctor, who had been obliged to abandon their game owing to the "shades of evening" dosing in upon them, 'Wednesday, 27th Juno.—We had a fine day over Oullane Links, whioh constitute one of the finest golf courses in Scotland. The up and down character of the ground is veiy attractive to the player, who is rewarded at the top of one of the hills by a magnificent view. Portions of 14 different counties of Scot- land (it is said) can, on a clear day, be seen from its summit. The links extend along the shores of the Firth of Forth for many miles. Nothing can excel the putting greenp, which are of great size and literally as true as billiard tables. The lowest scratch score in a club compe- tition is 74, by Mr F. D. Valentine Hsgart in 1880. As we had arranged to play the following day, viz., j Thursday, 28tli June, at Luffness, we drove Brer from / Gullane (somo three or four miles), raising a good (upply of lunch with us, and where, having resolved ourselves into two single matches for the morning as usual, we played two rounds, returning to the club house just in time to escape the rain which had now begun in a must business- like style, precluding all further attempts at play.. Having spun out our lunoh as long as possible, there was nothing else to be done but to wait the anival of the WBggonette from Oullane. Luffness Licks are situated in close proximity to the village of Aberlady. There is a good club house at the starting point built in rather a fancy style, being stuck over with large sliel's gathered from the beach.