Former DP World Tour player Stuart Manley has joined the staff of Wales Golf, helping to organise amateur events around Wales.
After 23 years of professional golf, 47-year-old Manley will become a regular presence at Wales Golf events as Competitions Co-ordinator, working with Championships Manager Dan Fullager.
Having played around 300 events on the DP World Tour and another 300 on the HotelPlanner Tour and former Walker Cup player, Manley has plenty of experience to contribute.
His appointment is part of a few changes at Wales Golf with Emily McElhinney joining as Pathway and High Performance Co-ordinator, replacing Laurie Newall who has moved to be Operations and Competitions Administrator.
Manley replaces Rebecca Hawke, who has moved to become South West and Mid Wales Participation Officer.
“This role is something that really interested me, running tournaments and applying the rules of golf. Wales Golf has given me so much, that this is an opportunity for me to give something back,” said Manley, who will also continue coaching and mentoring younger players.
“The Welsh Golfing Union, as it was then, gave me the springboard and world class events to play in as an amateur. Wales Golf helped me get to top of the tree in amateur golf as a Walker Cup player so that turning pro was the next step.”
Looking back on his pro career, Manley added: “My longevity on tour is something I am most proud of, being able to play until I am 47, winning four times on the HotelPlanner Tour. My career highlights were playing in Open Championships, World Cups with Bradley Dredge, and even losing a play-off for the Hong Kong Open was an amazing experience. I felt I was coming towards the end of my pro career, I still have status on the HotelPlanner Tour, but it was feeling like it was getting tougher and tougher. Then I saw this job and thought it would be perfect.
“One of the first things for me will be the PING Welsh Junior Tour, so that is the opposite end to where I have been but it will be great fun working with children and sharing my enthusiasm for the game of golf. Dan does a great job and will be a good mentor in ensuring the tournaments run as well as possible. I know how to set up the golf courses and how it should all look.”
Manley was already working with Wales National Coach Neil Matthews giving back some of his experience from 23 years on the main European Tour to young Welsh players hoping to follow in his footsteps.
“I work well with Neil and the Wales coaching team, they do a brilliant job on the teaching and technical side, and they have confidence in me to show the players how to get the best possible score from their game – I feel that is my speciality,” said Manley. “Course management is massive and I think I am good at that side of things, maximising the ability you have and getting the ball in the hole in the least number of shots”.
McElhinney, aged 27, is moving from working in TV production after enjoying working at sports events such as the Commonwealth Games and European Wheelchair Rugby.
“It is a bit of a career change, but the jobs I enjoyed most in TV production were in sport so I decided to go down that route,” she said. “I have always felt golf is such a nice game to play and be involved in so I am looking forward to the chance to learn to play, as well as being involved helping the best young amateur players in my new role.”
The two join the new-look Wales Golf team getting ready for the summer season.