George L. Baillie

George L. Baillie was born in 1852 at Inveresk and was fortunate to live close to the famous Musselburgh Golf Club. It was one of the prominent clubs of the period where leading professionals played challenge matches and it was here that Baillie became a keen golfer.

Little is known of Baillie's formative years, but he came to Ireland at age 29 when he was appointed as an English master at Belfast Academy. In the following years, he became one of the major influences in the development of golf in Ireland.

In 1881 Baillie was asked to help create a golf course for Belfast Golf club and within seven weeks a six-hole course had been laid out. He then went on a personal crusade to establish golf courses in Ireland and became a prolific designer, particularly in Ulster.

Baillie is credited with several well-known courses such as Royal Belfast, Royal Portrush, Spa, Omagh, Kirkistown Castle, Leopardstown, Bundoran, and Castlerock. In 1889 Baillie was appointed Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of Royal County Down where he created the first nine holes. When Old Tom Morris was later engaged to advise on a second nine, he is reported to have said "I wonder why they send for me; this Mr. Baillie kens mair about laying golf links than I dae."