THE star "Player" in the Liam Higgins Household these days is son, Brian, who has taken on the role of coach to the family's two playing professionals on the European Circuits, Liam on the seniors Tour and youngest son, David, on the main tour.
Brian (25), who learnt his coaching skills in America, teaches his father and brother on a private practice ground at Waterville House, close to Waterville golf club where Liam is the professional.
"The practise ground measures 500 yards x 300 yards and mostly we have it to ourselves," Liam Higgins said yesterday on the eve of the £75,000 De Vere Hotels seniors classic at Belton Woods near Grant ham, in Lincoinshire.
"Brian has a good understanding of our games and he's able to help us a lot" said Higgins.
Ladbrokes rate Higgins as a 33-1 shot to win here the favourite is former Ryder cup player, Tommy Horton, at 9-2 and the local money is on the Irishman because Belton Woods is a long course and could be ideally suited to his powerful hitting.
Higgins is one of nine Irish professionals competing in the 54 hole De Vere Hotels event which starts today. They include Irish PGA Seniors champion, Paul Leonard, brothers Michael and Andy Murphy, Killarney professional, Tony Coveney, Hugh Jackson (Donabate) Bobby Browne, (Laytown an Bettystown), Arnold O'Connnor (Elm Green), and former Ryder cup player Hugh Boyle (Royal Wimbledon).
