A friend and father to a beginner (3)
I believe the answer is:
pal
'a friend' is the definition.
(pal can mean a friend)
'father to a beginner' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'to a beginner' becomes 'L' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'pa'+'l'='PAL'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pal that I've seen before include "China" , "Buddy, chum" , "Mate, informal friend" , "Mate, buddy" , "Close friend" .)