Doug Evans

Growing up in Australia, where sport is a very prominent part of life, Doug played multiple sports from a young age, but golf became a lifelong passion. His working career has been in corporate executive roles, firstly in HR and then progressing to CEO in multiple large businesses across a range of sectors and he has sat on a number of Boards as a Director. He noticed how the language of sport easily crosses over into corporate idioms, and also naturally applies to personal development. The way people interact and relate, and the impact this has on performance had always equally fascinated and frustrated him.

Author's note:

"I found myself becoming increasingly disappointed with the lack of values and integrity in the corporate world, including within the workings of government and the media. In the stressful role of a CEO, I quickly realised that the old maxim of it being lonely at the top was true. There were times when I longed for the counsel of a guide and mentor who I could trust for honest advice, feedback, and direction that I didn't need to filter for vested interests and motivations."

During this period he found that the game of golf was a sanctuary and a distraction from the pressures of work. Playing and thinking about the game and the friendships he developed with other players, sustained him through some tough times. It dawned on him one day that the unique values inherent in golf and the vital role played by the caddy were not only commendable elements of the game, but they applied to life in general. The task of working your way through a round of golf and negotiating the challenges thrown up is comparable to navigating our way through life and its different stages. What we learn about ourselves on the course and in our lives are interchangeable and what we apply from that knowledge with the welcome assistance of a caddy figure can make us a better player and a happier person living a more fulfilled life.