H. Rumbold, Final recollections of a Diplomatist - 1905

Herkomst: archive.org

Beschrijving: Horace Rumbold (ere-voorzitter van de Hague Golf Club) o.a. over de introductie van golf in Den Haag

Transcript (p. 250-251):

It was about this time that, feeling very depressed over my diplomatic prospects, I was induced by des Graz, the kindest-hearted of men, to try for distraction the game of golf, which he had lately introduced at The Hague, and which has proved a solace to men in far greater trouble than mine. Although we never became proficient at golf, both my wife and I took to it very kindly, and drove most days to the ninehole links which Baron de Brienen had laid out round his picturesque race-course at Clingendaal. Many an exhilarating game did we play, losing innumerable balls in a certain rough wood by the fifth hole, and in the ditches that intersect the links. How well I recollect it all, and how delightful was the fresh, salt air blowing in from the downs close by Golf became quite the rage in Dutch society at this time, and the fashion extended from The Hague to provincial centres. A pretty club-house was put up at Clingendaal, and we had interesting competitions - in which Mile. Daisy de Brienen distinguished herself, as did also my gunner - son and cheery club luncheons, where as Honorary President of the Club I had sometimes to take the chair. Des Graz, who had made himself an exceptional position among the best people at The Hague, may well claim it as a feather in his cap that he was the first to introduce this fascinating pastime to their notice.