OT Richard Willacy shares the benefits of golf with TS pupils

Richard Willacy (Wills West, 1976-81) led the Year 7 and 8 Enrichment session on Saturday morning, titled How golf has helped me in life.

Richard began playing golf at the age of five and has since travelled the world, gaining invaluable experiences and insights. His session was attended not only by Year 7 and 8 students but also by the Senior School Golf Team, who were eager to learn from his journey.

During the session, Richard shared how golf has shaped his life, instilling discipline, patience and resilience. He also talked about the way the game has created enduring friendships, often with people he would otherwise never have met. He emphasised the importance of setting goals and working diligently to achieve them, drawing parallels between golf and various aspects of life.

Following his presentation, Richard led a Q&A session where he discussed his role models, his time in business, and the lessons he learned from both. He spoke about the influence of his mentors and how their guidance helped him navigate challenges in his career and personal life.

One of the highlights of the session was Richard recounting his remarkable achievement of getting a hole-in-one not once, but twice. He described the thrill and satisfaction of these moments, illustrating the rewards of perseverance and dedication.

Additionally, Richard introduced the school’s new golf simulator, named ‘The Westy’ in honour of his best friend, Iain Westwater. This state-of-the-art simulator was generously gifted to the school by an OT and will provide students with the opportunity to practice and improve their golf skills, regardless of weather conditions.

The students were inspired by Richard’s stories and left the session with a deeper appreciation for the values and skills that golf can impart. Richard’s experiences and insights provided them with valuable lessons that extend beyond the golf course, encouraging them to pursue their passions with commitment and enthusiasm.