The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Roving golfer impressed by Fife fairways
Agolfer who has spent two years playing every links course in Britain finished up in windswept Fife yesterday.
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 improvements.
He said: “It might sound like a bit of a cliche to say this has changed my life. But it literally has.”
Sam posted details of his ambition on Twitter before setting off and received scores of course recommendations from followers.
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.”
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.”