Club’s Irish trip marks special golf anniversary
Member Dunsmore was the first to drive on the improvised links, now known throughout the world of golf as the famous course of Royal Portrush.
Reflecting on his visit, David said: “I felt that the occasion of The Open returning to Royal Portrush and the “birth” of golf on the famous links was something to note.
“Both clubs were extremely hospitable making time for both me and my wife Liz.
“Portrush was amazing – brilliant crowds and a superb golf course.
“My wife Liz is currently ladies vice-captain and we were lucky enough to get tickets for the Friday of The Open at Royal Portrush.”
David said that the incredible story was bright to him by former King James club captain, Dennis Brown, when he mention that he and his wife were going to Portrush to watch The Open.
“Dennis advised that the first person to strike a ball on the Portrush links was a King James VI golfer in 1887,” he said.
“Dennis provided the extract from the ‘KJVI 150-year History,’ published in 2008, outlining the story when Belfast invited KJVI to play a match.
“The extract highlighted that KJVI had been one of the first clubs to play an inter-club match in Scotland and then it was involved in the first one in Ireland in 1884 – it’s a really nice piece of history.
“We were made very welcome and we said that we would look into sending a KJVI team back to Belfast for a deciding match.
“It’s amazing to think that a small club from Perth had been instrumental in the first interclub matches in Scotland and Ireland and then formed the rough fairways and greens on the world famous Royal Portrush links a year before it was formed.
“It makes us proud of the club we represent.” David Angus (right) and Wilma Erskine, the CEO of Royal Portrush, in front of the Claret Jug