A golfer who has spent two years playing every links course in Britain finished up in windswept Fife on Friday.
And as he praised the region’s “stunning” golf courses, he revealed how the whole experience has literally changed his life.
Sam Cooper is a descendent of five-time Open Championship winner James Braid, from Elie.
And the East Neuk village provided the backdrop as he completed more than 4,000 holes over 244 courses.
Sam and wife Harriet left their Merseyside home in a campervan in September 2020, to begin the Links From The Road Tour.
And the former property developer has since changed career to become a golf course architect.
One of his first commissions is at Monifieth Golf Links, which is undergoing a few improvements.
He said: “It might sound like a bit of a cliche to say this has changed my life but it literally has.”
Fife golf courses are ‘stunning to play’
Sam posted details of his ambition on Twitter before setting off and received scores of course recommendations from followers.
During lockdown, Mrs C and I decided to leave our nice home in Hoylake to drive round Britain in a converted van.
Pushing my luck, I'm planning to play every links course I can find (160 and counting…)
I'll post some nice photos along the way – feel free to follow along!
— Sam Cooper (@sd_cooper) September 22, 2020
He said his favourites were the less well known ones.
“Everyone knows how good Carnoustie, The Old Course and Kingsbarns are,” he said.
“They’re fabulous but there are so many other great courses that people don’t know so well.
“We’re absolutely blessed with places like Crail, Leven and Lundin Links.
“They’re just stunning to play.”
The 31-year-old decided to embark on his epic adventure when the property development business slowed during lockdown.
“Covid made us rethink our business,” he said.
“I have a passion for golf so thought, why not?
“It’s given us time to think about doing something else. I’ve always loved golf course architecture and now that’s my job.”
Famous golfing ancestors from Fife
The final leg of the tour saw him travel through Fife, playing both Leven and Lundin Links on Thursday.
Sam added: “Today, I’m finishing in Elie and I have a personal connection.
“I found out while doing this that the well-known golfer James Braid is a long-lost relative. It’s quite cool.
“My mum’s project during lockdown was doing the family tree.
“She also found out her great-grandmother was Margaret Auchterlonie, of the famous golf shop in St Andrews.
“Now I’m working in the golf industry through golf course architecture and I’m loving it.
“It’s funny how things happen.”
Despite finishing the tour, Sam has no plans to be idle as he’s working on a book of his experiences.
“I get to relive it all again so I’m looking forward to that,” he said.
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