Williams’ personal experience of mental health issues manifested themselves during Covid 19 when his plans to play full time were scuppered by the two lockdowns.
Having qualified to play on the MENA Tour in the middle east, Williams quit his job as the assistant pro at Wareham Golf Club and successfully sourced sponsorship to help him compete.
“Things were looking really good, and I was planning a really big year,” he recalled. “Then Covid hit and the companies that had said they would help me out ended up saying ‘we’re going to have to put this on hold and keep the funds in the bank’.
“So, as soon as the first lockdown came in, I lost £20,000 of sponsorship overnight. Suddenly from being on a high and thinking my dream was set up for the year, I was brought back down to earth.”
Supportive counsel coupled with the end of lockdown saw Williams refocus his career. He continued to play in PGA West region and Dorset county events before attending the DP World Tour’s Q-School in September 2022. While there, however, his mental health issues resurfaced.
“Spending 13 days in Portugal on my own in a country I didn’t speak the language really hit home after a disappointing week on the course,” he recalled. “It was then I knew it was time to end the stress and anguish I had experienced in trying to make it on Tour.”
Consequently, Williams now concentrates on coaching and retail at Wareham Golf Club following his appointment as head professional a year ago. In addition to that role, he is the head coach at nearby Milton Abbey School, an establishment boasting a nine-hole course designed by Peter Alliss.
As for promoting Myndup, Williams takes what he describes as a ‘subtle’ approach, especially when he’s coaching.
“A lot of it is rather subtle because there's so much out there at the minute about mental health,” he explained. “I think if you can bombard people with it, they start to ignore it.
“A lot of what I do involves people I teach. Quite often as a golf coach I become an ‘agony aunt’ as someone clients can relax with and detach from their stresses at home, work or maybe both.
“I don't push it too much online or anything like that. It's more just resharing what Myndup is doing and making their journey if you like, more accessible for others.”
Away from his studio and the club, competing in tournaments often affords Williams the chance to mention Myndup to his fellow PGA pros, especially if overnight stays are involved.
“Sometimes we share accommodation or go out for meals and the conversation often takes the ‘why are we doing this’ line, particularly if someone has had a bad day on the course,” he continued. “Once you get people talking there’s often a chance to ask them how they are in themselves.
“If I think someone’s got a bit of an underlying issue, then I'll say, look, if you want somebody to talk to, I can introduce you to Joel. Some won't, probably because of pride or embarrassment.
“Another reason is the macho aspect - they don't want to admit they've got some underlying issue. That’s definitely a male thing whereas women are much more open with each other. But whatever the reaction, at least I’ve sown the seed that help is available.”
