St Andrews Legacy was launched in the summer of 2013, when founder Graham Proctor and Jay Feyko of Soldier On simultaneously struck drives into the blue sky above sun-baked Balcomie Links, leading off veterans from Canada and the USA over the Old Tom Morris track managed by Crail Golfing Society, the seventh-oldest club in the world.

The rest of the week included a visit to Muirfield during The Open championship, where the participants shook hands with Tiger Woods among other pros, and to the British Senior Open at Royal Birkdale, where they again met Fred Couples, who extended warm friendship at both venues. The group also played golf at The Duke’s Course and Kingsbarns, where they had the good luck to meet the Texas A&M ladies team, as well as The New Course and The Old Course at St Andrews Links.

At The Duke’s there was a chance to learn from Gary Tamietti, a decorated soldier with two purple hearts, a PGA pro, a pilot, and an outstanding advocate for the St Andrews experience.

Gary said: “Being around the guys felt very natural. We connected first as soldiers; we’ve walked the same roads. Then as a golf professional, to have these hard-charging men respect and listen to me as I helped then with their golf games was great. It was very much give and take over the course of the entire 18 holes. As a wounded combat veteran it is often difficult receiving help, but through my connection to the guys, I was happy to break down those barriers, give them a few tips, and make things more enjoyable. It was a wonderful day”.

The Old Course was played in difficult rainy weather but the guys made the most of their day at the most renowned venue in the sport. An ESPN crew captured scenes from the round, including the finale as the seven veterans played the last hole to the sound of pipes and drums being played in their honour by a young band on the terrace above the eighteenth green.

Thanks to David Roy and Graeme Lennie at Crail, David Scott at The Duke’s, Jim McArthur, Rhodri Price and Karen MacLeod at the R&A, to Art Dunkley at Kingsbarns, to Steve Booton, and to the St Andrews Golf Club.