Stuart was a 1993 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School. He lettered four years in golf for the Trojans, advancing to the sectionals in both 1992 and 1993. He was All-Area three years and was selected to the All-State Golf team two years. Following high school Stuart signed a scholarship to play for the University of North Alabama where he was a four year letter-man leading the Lions to national recognition as UNA qualified for NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament for the first time. The Lions tied for sixth in the Nation that year and returned to the tournament again during Stuart's senior season in 1999. During his career at UNA Stuart won six collegiate tournaments including the Gulf South Conference Individual Championship in 1996. He earned All-GSC honors in 1996 and 1999 and was named to the All-Southern Region as well as honorable mention All-American in 1999. After graduation in 1999, Stuart played professionally for three years before returning to coach the Northwest Shoals golf team from 2002-2009. In 2009 he was named the golf coach at UNA and led the Lions to the GSC Championship in 2010 and was voted GSC Coach of the Year. He repeated those feats in 2012 and took the UNA team to three consecutive NCAA South.Southwest Regional Tournaments. Stuart was inducted into the University of North Alabama Hall of Fame in 2013.