He was a 2-handicap golfer at just 17 years old.
Staring at the open future, Craig Barry had two avenues to take.
Aim to become a professional and take the playing route.
Or pursue the traditional education pathway and enter a teaching professional career.
After weighing the odds, the mild-mannered Scotsman chose the latter road.
And he has never looked back after 17 years of a fulfilling career that took him to places, such as Hong Kong, China and now, Singapore.
The real home for the affable Barry is South Ayrshire, in the western part of Scotland, a five-minute drive from the renowned Royal Troon Golf Club. If you have spoken with him, you might be surprised by the absence of a Scottish accent, a result of being raised in Central England.
But home these days is where his rich expertise – as a professional associate with the PGA of America and armed with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Development with Coaching, and master’s degree in Sports Business Management – is called for.
After several stints abroad, Tanah Merah Country Club attracted him. Now, into his After several stints abroad, Tanah Merah Country Club drew him in. Now, in his second month at the club as a teaching professional, he has found a fondness for it, saying, “The management is professional, and the members are warm and welcoming.”
“And I enjoy coaching juniors, so in a way it is a perfect fit,” says Barry, 34, who, some weeks works every day, because, in his words, “duty calls me.”
It was as though the timing was perfect. Barry arrived just as the club was partnering with Angsana Primary School, in Tampines, to conduct sessions for a group of 70 children.
Working alongside the club’s other coaches, Daren Lim, Goh Kun Yang, and Marc Ong, Barry oversaw the classroom-based session, immediately putting his educational background to use in the club’s community bonding programme—which turned out to be highly fruitful.
Barry enjoys working with the club’s juniors, and his primary duty is to “allow the students to understand the cause and effect of why the golf ball does what it does.”
Whenever time permits, Barry teaches all club members, at every handicap level, with the belief that understanding leads to improvement at all levels.
His bio reads: “a golf professional with a strong background in tertiary education and multi-sport coaching, delivering lessons that are clear, engaging and tailored to each golfer.
“His approachable style helps players understand the key concepts of the swing and apply them confidently on the range and course.
“With experience in education, Barry connects naturally with golfers of all ages and has a proven record of developing young athletes across multiple sport.”
Barry, who had launched competitive academies, also taught swimming to juniors and has seen some of his proteges develop into national material, is passionate about unlocking potential through sport.
His favourite golfer is Australian Major winner Adam Scott because “he is a perfect player with the right temperament and his calm, cool approach to the game.”
Craig, now one of TMCC’s resident coaches, guiding Angsana Primary School students in the CSR ‘Grow Golf’ initiative launched in October 2025, fostering skills and a love for the game.
The club’s “Grow Golf Initiative” saw Barry working closely with Goh Kun Yang, Daren Lim and Marc Ong to increase the pool of young golfers especially during the school holidays and weekend.
Goh Kun Yang, a former national golfer who was based in Thailand for a few years and played in the Asian Tour, has loads of experience.
He speaks English, Mandarin and Thai and his expertise in Trackman 4 and MySwing 3D System helps kids understand their own game.
Daren Lim, a certified PGA professional for almost two decades, combines technical expertise with modern technology and personalized training plans to enhance golfers’ playing ability.
He teaches golfers of all abilities and ages and is a dedicated and approachable coach.
Marc Ong, a national squad member from 2010 to 2017, has played in most of the world’s amateur tournaments, including SEA Games, Asian Games, Putra Cup, Nomura Cup and the Eisenhower Trophy.
His rich experience allows him to impart sound knowledge to his students, many of whom have gone on to bigger stages.
For more information on the TMCC Golf Coaches and the private and group lessons available for Members, please visit: https://www.tmcc.org.sg/golf/golf-academy/private-group-lessons/