The ground selected for the links was the _Kinnegar_ at
Holywood, and on it the first match was played on St. Stephen's Day in
1881. That was the beginning of golf in Ireland. Mr. Baillie was the
Secretary of the Club till the end of 1887, when a strong desire to
extend the boundaries of the Royal game in the land of his adoption led
him to resign the position and cast around for pastures new. Portrush
attracted him, engaged his energies, and on the 12th May, 1888, a course,
which has since grown famous, was opened there. About this time I made
his acquaintance and suggested Newcastle, the beautiful terminus of the
County Down railway, as another likely place. On a well remembered day
in December, 1888, he accompanied me there, and together we explored the
ground, and finished up with one of those excellent dinners for which the
lessee of our refreshment rooms and his capable wife (Mr. and Mrs.
Lawrence) were famous, as many a golfer I am sure, recollects. Mr.
Baillie's practised eye saw at once the splendid possibilities of
Newcastle. Like myself, he was of an enthusiastic temperament, and we
both rejoiced.
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