Rick Willison
Golf Professional
I first met Greg when he joined Ealing Golf Club as a youngster over 25 years ago, and what struck me straight away, was his desire to improve and his unquestionable work rate. It was no surprise to me that in the following years, he went on to become one of England's top amateur golfers and a winner of some of England's most prestigious Amateur events.
At the same time he joined the greens staff at Ealing, and there is no doubt that with his enthusiasm, he started to have an impact on the quality of the Golf course. A few years later, I was working on a golf project with Peter McEnvoy, the distinguished amateur golfer turned Golf course designer, and had no hesitation in recommending Greg to oversee a project we were developing. In my opinion, this was the making of Greg as a Green keeper. It was a new development, with USGA specification greens and tees, he was also working with agronomists from Europe, and he excelled.
The course opened in 2005, and with the conditioning being sublime, it received rave reviews from some of Europe's Top golfers including Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia. In the same year, I also became Head Professional at Ealing Golf Club.
It was a course that was in poor condition and was struggling to cope with the demands from members and guests for better playing conditions. A club that was seeing a significant reduction in members, green fees and societies.
A year later, the position of Course manager became available and I had no hesitation in recommending Greg.
Upon his appointment, he promised to the members a transformation within 6 months. We saw one within 6 weeks!
He has transformed the course into one of the best conditioned in the country. Ealing Golf Club now have arguably the best putting surfaces in the country, and I have played in many Professional events including 3 Open Championships & 4 PGA Championships. the Tees and Fairways are also superb, in fact the whole Golf course in now excellent. To prove it, some of the finest Golf Clubs in the Country have come to Ealing to see for themselves.
All leave impressed not only with the playing surfaces, but also with his machinery yard, his work ethics and his passion for his job. I know his 'methods' are in some peoples eyes not only controversial but also unsustainable.
In 5 years at Ealing Golf Club, the course has improved every year. Green fees and Societies have all seen a huge increase in numbers and therefore revenue. Membership this year alone, increased by a third, unheard of in this present climate.
In my mind, Greg Evans is in the Top 5% of green keepers in the country and year in year out, continually proves it, come to Ealing Golf Club and see for yourselves.