Adam - I was searching for something else and came across this snippet and remembered this thread. The following doesn't add much to what others have already posted, but if read to the end I've included a 'letter to the editor' from Old Tom Morris:
Mr. A. J. Robertson resigned his duties as Editor of Golf, and said some words of farewell to his readers and contributors in the issue of July 1, 1898. Every golfer knows how much the literature of the game is indebted to Mr. Robertson, and how much he has done and still does for its intelligent appreciation, with his clever and facile pen. The new Editor, Mr. Garden G. Smith, who happily succeeded him, made his bow in the next number, and in it (No. 417, Vol. XVI., July 8, 1898), Mr. D. D. Whigham, Prestwick, has the following letter: "In your very kindly notice of my old golfing friend, Bob Andrews, of Perth, in your last issue, in the terms of which I most cordially concur, you say inter alia that at the Prestwick meeting of 1863 a match was played between Mr. D. D. Whigham and Tom Morris (getting a third), against Bob Andrews and Andrew Strath, and that the latter two won by 2 holes. May I, as the only consolation I have in old age, correct your informant. The match was played at the odds mentioned, and Tom and I won by 5 or 6 holes. So elated were we by the victory that we challenged the two to play us level the following day. The match was played, and we won again, and to this day 'Old Tom ' has often a pleasant joke with me as to the days 'when you and I beat the two professionals.' Charlie Hunter well remembers the match, and with him and Old Tom and myself as witnesses I am sure you will give us credit for facts. That was in 1863, and now, when muscles and nerves are apt to fail, it is the only resource we have as old golfers to think back upon what once could be done."
....And this may be a suitable opportunity to give Tom's ideas on the subject of the laying-out of links as embodied in a letter to the Editor of Golf, written at the end of a gelling season some years ago:
SIR, I see in your last issue that a gentleman (by name Mr Stevens) is anxious to get a little information regarding laying out a golf links. I hope you will allow me space in your valuable golfing paper to answer his questions as far as possible.
1. As to the length and breadth of links. If you have so many miles of ground, you can put holes down at, say, from 100 to 550 yards, varying them accordingly. The breadth may be from 50 to 100 yards.
2. Regarding the probable cost of preparing it. If the putting-greens had to be laid out it would require £5 for each green. Then, if the course had to be cleared of gorse bushes or whins, it would likely cost about £200.
3. Regarding the third question, the best way to form a Club would be to get as many of your friends together as possible and form a Club; then advertise that such a Club had been instituted. As to subscriptions, the scale of Club entry money runs from 2s. 6d. to £10.
4. There is no necessity to have trees on a golf course; large sand-pits dug in the course, called bunkers, or a whin or two to serve as a hazard to all players.
5. With reference to the last inquiry, it would entirely depend upon what the rental of the ground was and whether it was depriving the landlord or tenant of any privilege which he may have let.
I may state in conclusion that if the putting-greens require to be laid with turf this is the best time of year to lay them. But you can safely lay turf at any time of the year, provided the ground is moist to let the turf get a hold.
I am, Yours, etc., TOM MORRIS.