D Chapman,
I tried to quickly retrace my steps on the quote above. There were a few reports in 1899 of a "Highland Country Club" in Taunton in 1899 with over 100 members, and even a description of the course (and some sketches) in the Oct. 1, 1899 Boston Herald. According to this article the Taunton course was originally laid out by Findlay but changed by Joseph Ohlson who "had charge of the links" (likely the greenkeeper.)
Nothing on this club in 1900, but the Herald reported on Sept. 22, 1901, "The Highland Country Club, composed of golfing enthusiasts, was organized in Attleboro last week." Fred. E. Briggs was president and seems to have been running the show. Nothing about a "Pettis." Different officers listed than the earlier Taunton club.
But then March 31, 1909 the Boston Journal announced, under the headline "Tourney to Open New Course," that "Attleboro is to have one of the finest courses in the State when the golfing season opens here on April 19. A tournament on that day will be the opening of the seasons play on the links of the Highland Country Club, which under the direction of experts Austin [sic?] Pickering and Alex Findlay of Wright and Ditson's, have put it into condition. Several Cups have been donated . . . ."