Golfing enthusiasts from all over the world are now making a beeline to Scotland to play a new golf trail celebrating the man widely recognised as the most important person in the history of the sport.
Aberdeen-based luxury golf vacation operator Bonnie Wee Golf launched the Old Tom Morris Trail only three months ago, and it has led to much excitement among fans of golf.
The firm's managing director Dave Harris firmly believes the 18-course trail will soon become the Scotland's golfing equivalent of the North Coast 500, a 516-mile scenic road tour which has proved immensely popular with visitors.
He added: "Within the next few years, I have no doubt we will be seeing thousands of players annually from all parts of the world making a pilgrimage to Scotland to experience the delights of the trail.
"I have been overwhelmed at the response Bonnie Wee Golf has had to date. We have already had dozens of booking inquiries from lovers of the sport from as far away as Australia and the US, with significant interest also coming from golfing enthusiasts closer to home in the UK and mainland Europe.
"Some clients even want to make bookings as far in the future as 2028, which is incredible."
Grand Old Man of Golf
Old Tom, also known as the Grand Old Man of Golf, was born in St Andrews 201 years ago today.
The trail allows players to retrace his steps, and is supported by VisitScotland. The north-east courses involved include Cruden Bay and Cullen.
The venture is expected to give a lasting boost to Scotland's golf-tourism sector - which is worth around £286million annually and supports 4,400 jobs.
Dave was delighted to welcome US-based golf historian and author Stephen Proctor to Scotland at the start of June.
He is spending this month enjoying the various challenges of all the courses on the trail, with his final putt of the trip at Carnoustie on June 29.
Stephen has nearly 3,000 golfing followers on Twitter and he is using the social-networking site to give regular updates on his Scottish golfing exploits - a move creating even more worldwide interest in the trail.
High level of interest
He explained: "I had 2,200 Twitter followers based in various parts of the world when I arrived in Scotland, and have added another 500 since I started out on the trail - that shows the high level of interest there is in Old Tom Morris, who was a font of wisdom. He truly was a colossus of golf. Back when golf was coming of age, he was the one you contacted if you wanted to build a new golf course or discuss a design. He was instrumental in spreading the Scottish game around the world.
"News of the trail being set up has already created a lot of interest among golf enthusiasts in the US. It is a brilliant idea and I'm sure it will be a smash hit for Scotland.
"This is my fourth trip to Scotland to play golf, and I love the way the wind makes the game here such an ultimate challenge.
"Scotland also has many other attractions on top of its fantastic courses, including spectacular scenery, a rich history and very friendly people.”
Dave, who set up Bonnie Wee Golf around 20 years ago, reported that Scottish golf tourism has been booming following the worst of the pandemic being over.