PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The more you practise, the luckier you get, the golfing adage goes. Accordingly, for Cliff Barnard, named the 2023 Southern and Eastern Cape Regional PGA Club Professional of the Year, success lies in hard work.

Cliff, the head PGA professional at Plettenberg Bay Country Club, scooped this award for the second year running. He had previously, in 2016 and 2021, won the Regional PGA Coach of the Year award.

"I put my achievements down to hard work, dedication and a love for the profession," said Cliff, who also owns Gimme Golf and runs the Plett Pro Shop at Plett Country Club. In a statement the regional PGA said, "We are proud of you and Plett is lucky to have a coach like you."

Cliff's biggest achievement came through his prodigy student, Garrick Higgo, who is originally from Plett. He has coached Higgo, now 24, since the tender age of nine.

"Garrick has managed wins on the Sunshine, DP World Tour and PGA Tour," says Cliff. Another of his protégés is Deon Germishuys, also from the Garden Route, a member and winner on the Sunshine Tour who recently obtained his full exemption on the DP World Tour.

In Plett, Cliff runs junior clinics for budding golfers and focuses on the development of all kids who want to play.

Through his development programme, two of his "kids" have represented the Southern Cape junior squads. "I am looking forward to many more talents coming through," adds Cliff.

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