PGA OF SOUTH AFRICA AWARDS
FIVE ANNUAL PGA AWARD
Kyle Phelan National winner /
High-Performance Coach Phelan, based at Centurion Country Club in Gauteng North, wins this award for a second consecutive year. A PGA member since 2013, his achievements with elite golfers reflect not only his own dedica- tion but also the commitment of the play-
ers, parents, coaches and support teams around him. He works with top juniors and tour pros who are competing on the DP World Tour. He coaches several GolfRSA elite players and has taken pride in seeing athletes from the Phelan Golf Academy at Centurion CC earn opportunities to further their academic and golfing careers at colleges in the United States. His involvement with GolfRSA train- ing camps has contributed to the development of some of our most promising young golfers. Beyond player development, Phelan is passionate about growing the coaching profession. He mentors aspiring PGA professionals, currently guiding two apprentices, while also presenting PGA lec- tures, assisting with Teaching Ability Tests, and welcoming fellow professionals to learn and share ideas at his academy.
Pierre van Vuuren National winner / Management Van Vuuren was appointed general manager at The Club at Steyn City in September 2025, and immediately became involved in the project to host LIV Golf at Steyn City in March this year. This tournament, a notable success story, was an opportunity to showcase both the Gauteng club and South African golf on a global stage. That experience reinforced his belief in golf’s ability to positively impact lives and communi- ties. Previously the GM at San Lameer Country Club on the KZN South Coast, the award recog- nises Van Vuuren’s outstanding contribution to management, professional development, and continued growth of the game. He is a Fellow Professional in the PGA hierarchy. Mentorship has been a cornerstone of his professional journey. Having benefitted from guidance and support of experienced PGA pro- fessionals, he is committed to helping the next generation develop and succeed. “One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been seeing PGA associates receive their qualifica- tions and progress into confident and respect- ed professionals,” he said. “I value the strong sense of community with- in the PGA of SA, where professionals support one another, celebrate achievements, and work together to strengthen the profession and grow the game.”
Erich Kliem National winner /
Game development coach Based at Stellenbosch Golf Club in the Cape Winelands, Kliem has built his coaching philosophy around under- standing the individual golfer before pre- scribing solutions. He has his own studio building on the range.
A PGA member since 2004, and now a Fellow Professional, he has deepened his knowledge in recent years of biomechanics, ground reaction forces, and movement patterns, learning from internation- ally respected coaches and leading researchers in golf performance and sports science. He works with FlightScope launch monitors and a Swing Catalyst 3D Motion Plate. A turning point in his coaching journey came through his own bio- mechanical assessment, which revealed he had spent years trying to swing in a way that did not suit his natural movement patterns. This experience transformed his approach and reinforced his belief that golfers often struggle because they are trying to solve the wrong problems rather than working with their natural strengths. Kliem applies the same player-centred philosophy to everyone he coaches, from beginners and juniors to club golfers and tour profes- sionals. His focus is on understanding how each player naturally moves and building coaching strategies around those characteristics. In 2025 he won the Western Cape High performance coach award.
26 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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