Peter Barber (pictured) has a great record as an amateur and professional golfer and he has also established himself as a top coach for the county, the region and England.
He has now set a new record by becoming the first non-playing CUGC team captain.
He succeeds Jon Beesley (Warrington GC) who has done an excellent job in the role for the past four years.
Peter made his mark in 1970 when he played for Lancashire Boys in the inaugural Four Counties team –playing against the likes of Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle.
In the following two years he played for Lancashire first team and England boys.
He was the youngest winner of the Manchester and District Alliance match-play championship at the age of 16 and is also the oldest winner at the age of 52 and won the title eight times.
He joined the professional ranks in 1973 working under Eddie Birchenough at Denton and also at Gog Magog GC.
In 1975 he gained his European Tour card and played on the tour for 12 years playing in three Open Championships in 1979 at Royal Lytham, 1981 at St George’s and in 1984 at St Andrews.
He became head professional at Didsbury GC in 1988 and quickly made his mark as a coach and became a county coach with Alan Thompson in 1989 and has been coaching all squads from 12,14,16, 18 years and the full squad for 29 years.
He was asked by Alan Thompson to help with the England u18 regional squad and in 2008 was appointed as the England AASE regional coach for the North West.
Two years later he was appointed as the England u16 boys squad coach for the North West and coached England boys and girls to a 15-9 win over Spain at Preston GC.
Peter has coached a number of players through the county programme who have gone on to play for England or on Tour and they include Jamie Donaldson Danny Wardrop, Matt Nixon, Oliver Clark, Rhys Nevin-Wharton, Lewis George, Tom Murray and Nick McCarthy.
Peter has also been Captain of Cheshire PGA and Captain of the Northern PGA and he currently coaches at Dunham Forest GC and The Beeches Driving Range.
Cheshire President Tony Gregory said: “I have watched Peter coaching Cheshire at all levels and his enthusiasm and commitment are first class.
“His motivational team talks are honest, sincere and a pleasure to listen to. We are so fortunate to have such quality leadership for our men’s team in 2024!”
Copy & image: Geoff Garnett
