HEALTH & LIFEST YLE
KNOW YOUR PGA
PRO
Barry Broadbent General Manager White River Country Club
1. When did you qualify as a PGA Professional? the bigger cities and my parents had to do bit I am originally from Zimbabwe and left in of mileage to get us to and from tournaments. January 2005 to study the diploma in “golf My old man was essentially my coach, and in directorship & club management” through his own words: “I will stop coaching you when Damelin in Durban. During the course I took a you get better than me”. At that stage in my year off and worked at Boca West Country Club life I just wanted to play golf, but thoughts of in Florida as part of their summer program. Tour did not cross my mind. After returning and completing the final year I 4. Who has been you mentor in the golfing managed to finish 4th in my year and qualified industry? in 2008. Whilst doing my apprenticeship in Cape Town, 2. What made you choose this career? I worked under Jonathan Jacobsen (Milnerton Whilst on holiday in Durban I came accross an GC), James Loughnane (King David GC), Cassie advert in a magazine for the course. At that Viljoen & Tony Louw (Royal Cape GC). Also stage I was playing off a +2 handicap, so it was associated to Royal Cape was coach Wayne fate. A passion for the game, and not wanting Bradley. So to pick one mentor would not do to be a “desk-jockey” ensured my signing up the others justice. Your apprenticeship is not for the course whilst still on holiday. The rest is about what they teach you, but more about history as they say! you seizing the opportunities of learning from those that have walked the same path as you 3. Did you ever play or did you ever want to in the past. play on tour? Growing up in a small town in Zim had its 5. You have recently taken over at White River challenges and Junior events were limited to CC, what were your biggest challenges at
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November | December 2020
