A friend and father to a beginner (3)
I believe the answer is:
pal
'a friend' is the definition.
(pal is a kind of friend)
'father to a beginner' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa is a kind of father**).
'to a beginner' becomes 'l'.
'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" .)