Peter Barber (1981 – 2023)

Peter Barber, a proud Scotsman and PGA Member who lived life to the full and was forging a successful career in golf management in Vietnam, has died unexpectedly in Hanoi at the age of 42.

Born in Edinburgh in 1981, Peter showed a keen interest in football and golf from an early age. He supported Rangers and saw them in action for the first time when Graeme Souness made his debut for the club against Hibernian at Easter Road, Edinburgh.

In addition to following The Gers, Peter played for Longniddry Villa. However, golf was in Peter’s genes – his father John is the secretary at Dunbar Golf Club – and replaced football as his main sport.

He had a successful career as a youngster, representing Lothian on several occasions, winning the junior club championship at Longniddry, his home club, and Castlepark in Gifford. He also won the prestigious Lothians Junior Champion of Champions Tournament at Turnhouse in 1997.

It all led to a career in the game and Peter embarked on it by studying golf at Merrist Wood College in Surrey. He followed up by returning to Scotland and working alongside Graham Sked, the head PGA Professional at Kilspindie Golf Club.

Peter joined the PGA himself and, having completed his training, was elected to Membership in 2007. A keen traveller, he initially headed for China and was employed as a coach at the Sand River Golf Club, Shenzhen.

Peter spent 18 months there before moving to Beijing for a brief spell with Central Golf and following up with a four-year stint at Fragrant Hills International Golf Academy in the city.

He returned to Europe in 2019 and coached at Golf Saint Apollinaire, Switzerland. Unfortunately, Brexit curtailed that appointment and a brief return home saw him work at the Balumbie Golf Centre, Dundee.

Peter then had spells coaching in Dusseldorf and Colchester before making his final move to Vietnam where his career changed direction. He swopped coaching for golf management and worked for the BRG Group, initially in Da Nang and then Hanoi.

Peter is survived by his parents, Catherine and John, and brother Stephen. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them and Peter’s other family members and legion of friends on their loss.