Matt Walton begins his first season as assistant men's golf coach under Judd Easterling. He arrived at Wichita State in June, 2019.
A former All-American and four-time national tournament qualifier at the NAIA and NJCAA levels, Walton had served the past two years as lead coach at Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in Orlando, Fla., providing comprehensive training for some of the nation’s top junior golfers.
“Matt is a hard-worker who will help us recruit and develop high-caliber players and be a positive force within the Wichita community,” Easterling said. “His background as an instructor will make him a huge resource for our current student-athletes and, being from England, we’ll lean on his international connections as well as his eye for talent to help us establish lasting relationships around the globe. I look forward to working alongside Matt for years to come.”
Walton said:
“College golf is my passion because it played such major part in my own development as a player and as a person. The opportunity to return to the collegiate ranks at place like Wichita State, with its tradition, facilities, resources and staff, is exciting to me. I’m looking forward to working with Judd and helping Shocker student-athletes reach their full potential.”
Prior to his work at Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, Walton spent parts of four years providing private instruction in Indiana to players of all ages – first as an assistant pro at The Legends Golf Club and later as director of instruction at Correct2Compete. During the 2016-17 season, he also served as volunteer assistant for Taylor University.
Walton’s transition from player to coach began in the fall of 2013 after he had exhausted his eligibility at the University of the Cumberlands. While finishing his undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science, he assisted the men’s and women’s teams.
In two seasons as a player, Walton helped the Patriots win back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships in 2012 and 2013. As a senior he twice earned conference golfer of the week honors and was named to the PING All-South Region squad. Cumberlands finished fifth in the 2012 NAIA National Championship and ninth a year later.
Before transferring to Cumberlands, Walton played two seasons for Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. The team took ninth at the 2010 NJCAA Division II National Championship. Walton qualified individually the following year and finished fifth on the leaderboard to cement Second Team All-American status. He was also named to the PING All-Central Region team.
Walton is a native of Lytham St. Annes, England. He and his wife, Carly, have been married for two years.
