December 1, 1893 GOLF

DEATH OF A SCOTTISH GOLFER

We have to announce the death of Mr. Robert Tait who, for some years was proprietor and occupier of Old Aberlady Inn, in which house he was born, but which name he afterwards changed to that of the Golf Hotel. He was the second son of John Tait, who, for a period of sixty years, was proprietor and innkeeper, and joint-proprietor with Mr. John Croall, of Edinburgh, of the satge coach which ran between North Berwick and Edinburgh. The Taits have for more than a century and a half been well-known in East Lothian, and as far back as can be traced appear all to have been golfers. Mr. Tait's first experience of golf was in carrying his father's clubs at Gullane Hill on Handsel Mondays, about the year 1823; while his father had a imilar experience carrying his father's clubs - Mr. John Tait of Meadowmill, born 1729, and who played Golf on the links at Prestonpans, when the links extended half way up the village to Ringan's hole. Mr. Tait was one of the players who took part in the Great Bruntsfield Tournament, somewhere about thirty-five years ago, on which occasion, James Ballantine, the poet, was present. He was one of the original members of the Thorntree Golf Club, Prestonpans; the Dirleton Castle Golf Club, Gullane; and also of Luffness Golf Club. He was a medal-holder in each, and was the first winner of the Tait silver club.
In his youthful days, Mr. Tait was a great pedestrin, and walked twice to London and once back. At that time his father and George Dawson of the Whim used to walk into Edinburgh, a distance of fifteen miles, to see any new play acted in the theatre, and back again.
Mr. Tait was of the good old school of golfers who never carried more than two clubs - a long spoon with a leather face and a cleek, with which he was seldom beaten. A steady and most encouraging partner, Mr. Tait never found fault, but had always a word of praise or encouragement to give at all times. If he could not keep up his partner's spirits with his own good play, he never failed to do so with his droll and clever remarks. If his partner missed his ball, he would say, "Never mind, it's a good line." Apart from Golf, he was exceedingly kind and good to poor people and little children, and was the best of company. Many a golfing dinner he has enlivened with his capital rendering of the "Cruiskeen Lawn," in those days when Peter Brodie used to sing "John Barleycorn," and John Begbie, of Queenstonbank, "Old Towler."
After a long and painful illness, Mr. Tait passed away on Saturday morning the 18th ult., aged 80 years. He is survived by his wife and two children; of whom our occasional contributor, Mr. R. J. B. Tait, in one.