Sept. 16, 2014
By Drew Parsley, Auburn Communications
Auburn men's golf coach Nick Clinard does his best to help the Tigers reach their potential on the course, but the instruction doesn't stop there. Clinard goes out of his way to keep in touch and continue to coach his former players.
Blayne Barber, a two-time All-American who graduated in 2012 and owns Auburn's stroke average record, is a player who has remained under the tutelage of Clinard since he left Auburn. He has earned six top-10 finishes on the Web.com tour this season, while winning the South Georgia Classic.
"It's a privilege to coach and teach him," Clinard said about Barber. "I'll travel some with him this year. I'll be at a couple Web.com events this year, and I'll be on the PGA Tour with him for 12 to 15 events."
Barber is coming off a tie for sixth in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship and will compete in the Web.com Tour Championship Thursday through Sunday. He is currently seventh on the Web.com Tour "Money List" with $269,111 in earnings this season.
Dominic Bozzelli, a 2013 graduate, is another former player that Clinard has continued to coach after college where he was a two-time All-American. Bozzelli has found success on the NGA Tour with four titles and topping the Pro Series Money List with $71,287.
"He's a big time talent," said Clinard about Bozzelli. "He's another guy who is really easy to teach because I don't have to worry about teaching him how to play golf, I just help him with his golf swing and other technical things."
Clinard loves being able to invest in his former players once they enter the pros and has no intention of stopping any time soon. He is a valuable asset to the Auburn Tigers who go on to play professional golf.
"I enjoy helping my former players like Blayne reach the level they probably never thought was possible," said Clinard. "It's something I enjoy and something I'd like to expand on in the future."