Scott Barthlama Named Performance Director for the Wildcat Golf Academy

Scott Barthlama is the new Performance Director for the Wildcat Golf Academy. Barthlama will be fully immersed in Wildcat Golf as he was also named the Health and Performance Specialist for the Northwestern Men and Women’s Golf teams.

Barthlama worked at Northwestern from 1999 to 2008 as an athletic trainer with men’s and women’s golf as well as the men’s basketball team, while also serving as the strength and conditioning coach for the men’s basketball and golf programs.

“We are excited to have Scott as a member of the Wildcat Golf Academy staff,” said Sam McKenney, WGA Director of Player Development. “Scott has extensive knowledge working with golfers at all levels and abilities. The NU men and women’s golf teams experienced tremendous success while working with him and we expect our members to benefit from his experience as well.

During his tenure at NU, the men’s team won four Big Ten Championships and qualified for seven NCAA Championships, while advancing to the NCAA Finals four times. The women’s program reached the NCAA Regionals seven times during his time in Evanston.

Barthlama also worked with many players during their professional careers, including Luke Donald, Tom Johnson, Chris Wilson, Dillon Dougherty, David Merkow, Scott Harrington, Liliana Alvarez, and Jenny Lidback.

Barthlama spent seven seasons with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, where he most recently served as Head Athletic Trainer for the organization. He was involved in all aspects of health and performance for the Bucks players during his tenure in Milwaukee.

Most recently, Barthlama was the Director of Performance for S.T.R.O.N.G NBC TV, handling the medical healthcare and emergency healthcare for contestants competing in obstacle competitions, as well as being a consultant on strength and conditioning, nutrition, and recovery.

Barthlama received his M.S. in Athletic Medicine from the University of Oregon and his B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado.