SCOTTISH GOLF CELEBRATES

APPOINTMENT OF KILGOUR

AS PERFORMANCE MANAGER

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) are pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Kilgour, pictured right, as the new Scottish Golf Performance Manager.
Neil’s new role will see him responsible for the high performance area of Scottish golf, working closely with both national governing bodies as part of the ongoing drive towards ‘One Plan for Golf’, and ensuring that golfers of either gender are offered equal opportunities in their pursuit of world-class results.
Kilgour will be tasked with delivering the newly implemented Pathways strategy, the coaching and performance plan for Scottish golf, which will include managing the national coaching team as well as the Scottish Golf Academies - now in their third year of operation - helping to create a legacy of talented players in the home of golf.
Assisting the delivery of one of Scottish golf’s key goals, that of ‘developing talent’, Kilgour’s exciting remit will encompass the strategic direction for performance and coaching, ensuring a joined up approach and seamless programmes from junior level (under the auspices of clubgolf, the national junior golf programme) through to the Academies and on to elite level golf. In this context, Kilgour will facilitate Scottish golf’s ongoing working partnerships with other golfing bodies and key sporting organisations.
Neil has a longstanding knowledge of performance sport, having worked in sportscotland’s high performance team as a Performance Partnership Manager, where he was responsible for strategic planning and development and allocating lottery investment to national sport organisations.
In addition to his time at sportscotland, Neil has also gained experience in various outdoor education and community based environments, during which time he gained professional coaching qualifications across five different sporting disciplines.
Commenting on his appointment, Neil said, “I am delighted to be taking on my new role and to work closely with one of Scotland’s most successful sports. My experience working with Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports has given me a thorough understanding of performance sport which I am confident will put me in good stead for this challenging position.
He added, “In recent years Scottish golf has produced a number of notable successes, with players regularly succeeding on the international stage. I look forward to continuing the momentum and building upon the strong foundations that have been put in place, to harness further success."
SGU Chief Executive, Hamish Grey said, “We are delighted that Neil will be joining Scottish golf. His strong background in performance sport and project management, combined with experience of partnership working will make him a great asset to the team.
Grey added, “Neil’s proven track record at elite level across a range of sports will augur well for him implementing our Pathways strategy, and achieving the targets we have set leading up to the Ryder Cup in 2014 and beyond.”
A politics and social science graduate from the University of Aberdeen, Kilgour maintains his passion for sport out of hours competing in triathlons and has been appointed the 2008 Edinburgh Marathon Course Director.
The former rugby player is a member of Harburn Golf Club and divides his spare time between his family, sporting pursuits and studying for an MSC in Performance Psychology at Edinburgh University.
Neil currently resides in West Lothian and will be in post from March.