Lesley Mackay

Lecturer content

Lecturer

Lesley has been a PGA Professional for 13 years and worked on the golf curriculum at UHI for the last 3 years. Prior to turning professional she represented Scotland and GB&I over 50 times and turned professional with a handicap of +4 in 2003. Lesley was a member of the Ladies European tour from 2004-2006 and completed her PGA foundation degree in 2006, winning Female trainee of the year and finishing top 10 overall.

Having been selected onto the international sports scholarship programme at the University of Stirling in 1997 she went on to complete a BA (Hons) Sports Studies and an MRes in Sports Studies.  Lesley was appointed Head Women’s golf coach at Stirling Uni in 2006 and went on to coach a number of players and teams to gain international honours up until 2014. This role also involved delivering on sports performance modules within the sports studies degree programme.

Alongside her position at Stirling Lesley was a teaching professional at World of Golf, in Glasgow from 2006-2009. During this time, she coached both Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire County ladies’ teams as well as a number of internationalists and professionals. Lesley has also had the honour of coaching a Scotland u18 girls’ team at the European team championships, in 2007. In 2009, Lesley became Head professional at Playsport, the largest golf facility in Scotland. This role involved developing and delivering coaching programmes, alongside coaching Lanarkshire County, West of Scotland girls, Scottish development squads and elite players.

Since becoming a lecturer for the university in 2015, Lesley has been involved in the development and validation of the BA(Hons) Professional Golf degree and its partnership with the Professional Golfers’ Association. Lesley has also completed her PGA Level 3 certificate in golf coaching and her advanced certificate in golf coaching.

Courses Taught

Modules on both the Golf Management and Professional Golf programmes and part of the tutor team for the PGA involved in the delivery of the DipHE Professional Golf.

Professional memberships

  • Professional Golfers’ Association

Expertise

Main areas of expertise are in the development of practical and applied skills for the golf industry including coaching, sports science and equipment technology.

Outside of her academic role, Lesley coaches the UHI golf team.