Ben Fouchee – Club and teaching professional at Paarl GC ( Boschenmeer )
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@BoschenmeerGolf
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| What led you to becoming a PGA Professional?
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I loved the game so much, that after I stopped playing on the tour, I decided to stay in the sport and make a living out of it by becoming a PGA pro |
| How long have you been in your current position?
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Twenty-one years |
| What does your job entail?
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I run the pro shop at my club as well as the driving range. I am in charge of all the club repairs and fittings. I also run an academy and do all the coaching as well.
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| Do you have any environmental or sustainability goals that you have met and would like to share?
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I just try and do my best for all the members and students that I get to work with. If I can keep them happy by either improving their golf or making sure that the equipment, I sell them, is right for them, then I am also happy. |
| Please give us a brief outline of the path you took to lead you to your current position | I started coaching at Wagners Driving Range in Brackenfell in 1996, after playing professional golf for 8 years. I was there for 3 years, when the job came up for teaching professional at Paarl GC. I started teaching at Boschenmeer when the estate just started developing, with limited teaching facilities. In 2001 I started the current driving range facility and the BF Golf Academy. In 2009 the golf club asked me to help run and managed the pro shop for them. I took over the pro shop in 2010 and since then, I have been running the shop as well as doing the coaching for the last 11 years. During this time, I have coached golfers of all ages, from beginners to tour professionals. I have also been involved in coaching Boland junior provincial teams, running school golf programs as well as doing junior development. |
| Why do you feel that you would be a good candidate to win this award?
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Professional of the year – It is not that easy to run a successful retail store as well as a coaching business in this day and age. With the help of my wife and a dedicated team of helpers, I think we have managed remarkably well. At times it is tough, but I think we combine the two very well.
Coach of the year – I suppose only my students will be able to answer this question. Grow golf coach of the year – Besides our SNAG and junior golf program we run, we also started a development program for underprivileged children from one of our townships last year. Unfortunately, covid has put that on hold, but we hope to continue with it in the new year. So far it’s been very successful. |
