Jacobs still checks my swing

Not many golfers get the chance to have their swings checked regularly by legendary coach John Jacobs who celebrates his 89th birthday this month.

But Peter Barber revealed that he visits the PGA Master Professional five times a year with his pal Andrew Murray and their respective sons Jack and Tom.

"He's as knowledgeable as ever," he said. "It's fascinating listening to him. He always tells us we cheer him up. We're probably youngsters in his eyes!"

The 57-year-old newly-installed captain of the PGA in Cheshire and North Wales added: "We can't argue with any advice he gives us. It is as relevant now as it was in the old days.

"John was a massive influence on me when I went under his tutelage early in my professional career."

Today, Barber is a highly-rated coach himself and, aside from the responsibility of looking after Cheshire county players and his involvement with the county golf partnership, he's also in charge of England Golf's North West Under-16 boys.

And he's becoming increasingly popular as an after-dinner speaker.

Such commitments, along with those to members at Didsbury Golf Club where he has been incumbent for 26 years, have stymied his chance to join Murray on the European Senior Tour.

Barber, who plied his trade on the main circuit for 12 campaigns and qualified for three Open Championships, admitted: "I would not have been able to play well enough to warrant doing it, although I usually enter one or two events if time permits."

He said it was an honour to be elected captain - a role he fulfilled with PGA North 15 years ago - and hoped to play in a few pro-ams.