Daniel Claytor, recruited by former Head Men’s Golf Coach John Hackney, was offered a scholarship by just one school:  Barton.

Suffice to say Claytor made the most of his opportunity.

Claytor, a 2013 graduate of Barton, was a three-time PING NCAA Division II All-American (2011-13) by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and was named the Conference Carolinas Player of the Year in 2011.

In addition, Claytor earned First-Team All-Conference Carolinas and All-Region honors three times (2011-13), won six collegiate tournaments and competed in the 2010 and 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship as an individual and the 2011 finals as part of the Bulldogs’ squad.

Claytor was Barton’s first three-time All-American and his 73.03 career scoring average is the lowest in school history.

“Playing for the Bulldogs meant everything to me,” said Claytor.  “Being part of a dedicated program with a lengthy record of success was an honor.  Representing the Bulldogs instilled in me a sense of pride and commitment to excellence that I still carry with me today.  I wanted to make my family, coaches and team proud every single time I teed it up.”

Making a six-foot putt on the last hole to qualify for the NCAA D-II National Championship as a freshman in 2010 and qualifying with the team to nationals in 2011 were two of Claytor’s highlights while competing as a Bulldog.

“The cities and states we were able to travel to were awesome,” said Claytor.  “Some of the best times I can remember came during van rides or flights.”

Claytor, a 2013 graduate of Barton College, played professionally from 2014 to 2019 while serving as a graduate assistant men’s golf coach for Coker (2015) and Barton (2015-17). 

Claytor won eight professional tournaments before injuries forced him to stop competing.

Currently, Claytor serves as Residential Estimator/Design Consultant with Superior Fence and Rail based in Apex, N.C.  Claytor was a two-time Barton College Kiwanis Male Athlete of the Year (2010-11 and 2011-12).