North Carolina State University Athletics
11/11/2026 3:50:00 PM | Women's Golf
RALEIGH – NC State women's golf head coach Darby Sligh has announced the signing of two golfers to National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day. Emily Peaford and Ella Scott will join the Pack ahead of the 2027-28 season.
Both student-athletes committed to play at NC State last fall.
Emily Peaford - Surrey, England
Peaford has enjoyed a well-accomplished career on the junior and amateur circuits. Over the past two years, she has tallied one win, five top-10 finishes and has counted in 26 events. She was a member of the England Golf National squad and GB&I Junior Vagliano Team in 2025. Peaford also represented England in the U16 match against Spain in 2025. She won the 2026 English Women's Championship Club title with Walton Heath Golf Club. Peaford was the 2025 SSGT U18 Stroke Play Champion and finished third in the 2026 event. She was also the Ladies' London Foursomes Champion, winning all five of her matches.
"It's impossible not to smile when you're around Emily," said head coach Darby Sligh. "Along with her work ethic and drive for excellence in all that she does, she brings a light to everyone around her. She comes to Raleigh with extensive playing experience and success on the international level. I'll be leaning on her as a player for her leadership skills, her inner drive and her love of the game and those around her."
She has competed in numerous amateur events, most recently the R&A Girls Amateur, the English Women's Amateur and the Scottish Girls' Open Championship. Peaford recently competed as an amateur at the LET Access Women's English Open
Ella Scott - Castle Rock, Colo.
Scott continues to be on the rise, elevating over 1,000 spots in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in a single year. Over the past two years, Scott has picked up one win at the 2025 Colorado State Junior Championship, six top-10 finishes and has counted in 16 events. At the Wyndham Clark presented by the Colorado Golf Association, Scott finished stroke play tied for first to force a playoff, and ended as the runner-up. Scott has also logged a third-place finish at the 2026 Colorado State Junior Championship. She logged sixth at the LPGA-USGA Girls Championship by PKBGT and was 19th at the Women's Western Junior Championship.
"Ella brings such a spark to the culture we are building here." said Sligh. "She is thoughtful, caring and extremely hard working. She brings the champion's energy that we are looking for to push this program forward, and she represents herself with class and integrity in all that she does. I will be leaning on her as a player to continue bringing her curiosity and tenacity to everything we do."
Scott is one of Colorado's best high school golfers, winning back-to-back Class 5A individual state golf championships. Her individual performances led Valor Christian to consecutive class 5A team championships and she was named Colorado 5A Player of the Year and the 2026 Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Future Hall of Famer Award. Additionally, Scott is a member of Team Colorado, which is a part of USGA's National Development Program, representing her state in the Girls' Junior American Cup in 2025 and 2026.
NC State will play at the Dominican Republic Classic at the Cocotal Golf and Country Club in Punta Cana from Sunday, Jan. 31 to Tuesday, Feb. 2 to start the spring season.
