Sean,
I'm not certain if Longhurst was trying to be humorous or simply relaying what his experiences in the world of golf had been. And surely few men have had more experience in the world of golf than Longhurst. If George Low was America's guest, I think Longhurst must have been the world's. Few men could have written an autobiography entitled "My Life and Soft Times."
I think Bob Huntley can provide further enlightenment on Henry.