Jim,
It is this very aspect of GCA that I love the most. Deep, meaningful, insightful research into all things golf! The nuggets that you have unearthed in this thread are the sort of things that make an investigator's heart sing! I think that I have come across your original information at some point but am delighted that this possibly apocryphal tale has been verified by your discovery of a reference in such an august journal as Country Life. Great sleuthing on your part! Chuckling here!
Talking about the guttie you might want to read the complete poem, "In Praise of Gutta Percha", about its birth and existence which was recited by W. Graham of Edinburgh at Innerleven in 1848 and is alluded to in Marty Bonnar', s tag-line. The last stanza may whet your appetite.
But noo that a' your praise is spent
Ye'll listen to a friend's comment.
And kindlier tak on the paint-
Then you would be perfection.
And sure some scientific loon
On golfing will bestoe a boon
And gie ye a cosmetic soon,
And brighten your complexion.
Orra best, Colin