Gary Wills was held in such high esteem that 180 played in a fundraising golf day staged to support him and his family after he was stricken with pancreatic cancer and unable to work.
Prior to that his coaching skills had been in demand with golfers of all abilities and from all walks of life, including former Manchester United and England striker Andrew Cole and Derby County manager John Eustace.
The fundraising golf day in late October was held at Feldon Valley, Oxfordshire, where Gary worked for the final four years of his life, and saw the golfing community come together to help him.
“Pros donated things from their clubs, fourballs and things like that,” said Tom Jones, a lifelong friend of Gary’s and director of golf at Feldon Valley. “The money is still trickling in, so we've not got the final figure but it's going to be more than £27,000. Sadly, he passed away on the night of the following day, but he knew what had been done for his family.”
The pair had grown up together in Northamptonshire and Jones added: “I always joke we lived about 100 yards apart when we were kids, which is about a good eight-iron these days. We played junior golf together and joined the PGA at a similar time.”
Gary’s talent for the game was evident from an early age and by the time he was 14 he boasted a handicap of one. As an amateur he won the Carlsberg Open, a prestigious tournament staged in Northamptonshire that was also contested by pros.
He joined their ranks in 1988, working as an assistant pro at Cherwell Edge Golf Club, Oxfordshire, and was elected to PGA Membership three years later. Two more years at Cherwell followed before, at the age of 24, Gary was appointed head PGA professional at Hellidon Lakes Golf Club near Daventry in Northamptonshire.
His association with the club spanned two spells that bookended four years spent working at Drayton Leisure Driving Range in Banbury from 2006-2010. Another 11 years followed at Hellidon Lakes before he was made redundant due to the COVID pandemic.
“A succession of injuries had curtailed Gary’s playing activities by this time, and he had earned a reputation as an excellent coach,” recalled Jones. “So, I asked him to come and work with us here at Feldon Valley, which rather rejuvenated him. Having started off working early in our careers together, it was great to join forces again.”
Jones reckons his friend coached tens of thousands of people to play golf over the years, including Liam Robinson who played in several DP World Tour events, as well as professional footballers such as Cole and Eustace.
“Andy Cole, when he was playing for Man United, used to come down to Banbury for golf lessons with Gary,” said Jones. “He also coached several other footballers, including John Eustace. He’s manager of Derby County, Gary’s team. When Derby played Coventry recently, he arranged for Gary to come onto the pitch with his family and bring out the match ball, which was lovely.”
In addition, to giving lessons at Feldon Valley, Gary ran coaching trips abroad, one of which was an annual trip to Portugal with Jones.
“We started a golf trip together a few years ago, and we used to take 16 lads away with us for a sort of Ryder Cup-style event - my team against his,” Jones explained.
“I’ve just been away on that, which was great. But it was bittersweet in many ways because Gary wasn’t with us. We raised a glass or two in his memory, though.”
Gary is survived by his wife Sarah, their children Scott and Sophie, stepchildren Emily, Lauren and Harry, and grand-children Teddy and Scott. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them and all Gary’s other family members and friends on their loss.