Clayton and Knight join Scottish Golf’s Performance and Pathways team
25/01/2022
Scottish Golf has announced the appointment of two PGA Professionals with Stuart Clayton joining as Director of Pathways and Coaching, while Rachel Knight is the governing body’s new Performance Programme Manager.
Clayton is currently a performance coach with the women and girls’ squads, and returns to a leadership role he previously held in 2018.
The 45-year-old is a PGA Fellow professional with over 25 years’ experience around the globe coaching golfers and developing coaches. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to further enhance the performance pathway for all golfers.
His professional journey started in 1995 and he has since gone on to work with players of all levels from Major winners, Collegiate players, amateurs and beginners across Europe, Asia, USA and (most recently) Scotland.
Clayton has mentored and trained more than 75 coaches around the world, helping them refine their own coaching skills and helping federations such as Spain and Egypt develop their education and training programmes.
Clayton commented: “I can’t wait to get started in the new role to help develop and enhance the environment and opportunity for all golfers in Scotland.
“The vision that Scottish Golf has for the future is something I am proud to be part of and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that there is a fantastic pathway for golf for all.”
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Golf, said: “To have someone of Stuart’s calibre and experience coming into this newly-created role is a real bonus. The role deliberately extends beyond the performance programme, and as such, Stuart will have the opportunity to engage with the wider membership – and other key stakeholders – to develop a more cohesive pathway and increase opportunities for all ages and abilities to engage in the great game of golf in Scotland.”
Joining Clayton in the performance team will be Rachel Knight as Performance Programme Manager, a key performance-focused role within Scottish Golf.
As an amateur, Knight won the Welsh Girls’ Championship (2010), which secured her a place in the performance programme for the Welsh Golf Union.
In 2014, Knight graduated from Nova Southeastern University, Florida, with a Bachelors in Psychology, where she attended on an American golf scholarship.
Fuelled by her passion to provide others with the opportunities to get into golf, Knight returned to the UK and turned professional after representing Wales in the Ladies Home International Matches. She began her PGA training while based at the Vale Resort and four years later, after running a successful junior programme, Knight accepted a position at St Andrews Links and moved to Scotland.
At the Home of Golf, Knight became an experienced operational specialist for the Academy, also taking on the role of the Coordinator for St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) – a programme that dedicates itself to providing golf opportunities to children who reside in St Andrews.
Knight commented: “I am delighted to join the Scottish Golf Team. The vision and dedication that the team has inspires me to help develop winning golfers through implementing a world class performance programme.”
