Tiger Golf Gathering To Benefit Clemson University Golf

Nov. 10, 2003

Greenville, SC – The Clemson University Golf Program, which won the 2003 NCAA Division I-A National Championship, is joining forces with a group of former Clemson golfers to stage a unique fundraising celebrity Pro-Am event that will help insure Clemson Golf remains one of the premier college programs in America. The event, called the “Tiger Golf Gathering: Celebrating A Tradition,” will be held on Thursday and Friday, December 11-12 at the Thornblade Club in Greenville, SC. The idea for the event originated with former Tiger golfers Jonathan Byrd, Charles Warren, Ben Duncan, and Lucas Glover who wanted to create a way in which they and other former players who have moved on to the PGA, Nationwide, and NGA Hooters Tours could support the Clemson golf team.

“We play in a Pro-Am at all of our tour stops and the money raised goes to local charities,” said Charles Warren. “We thought there is no reason why former Clemson golfers could not do something like that to raise money for the golf program. The idea quickly gained steam and it was decided to not only have a Pro-Am, but to also turn the event into a reunion weekend for all former Clemson golfers.”

The end product from this original concept is the “Tiger Golf Gathering: Celebrating A Tradition,” a celebrity Pro-Am Tournament featuring nearly twenty former Clemson golfers who have appeared on the PGA, Nationwide, and NGA Hooters Tours. Each of these pros will be paired with three amateurs for a day of golf and fellowship. In addition to Byrd, Warren, Duncan and Glover, former Tigers Dillard Pruitt, DJ Trahan, Clarence Rose, Chris Patton, and Kevin Johnson are among the celebrities who will be participating in the event.

“When Charles came to me with this idea I was immediately on board,” said Lucas Glover, who recently won his first Nationwide Tour event, securing his PGA Tour Card for 2004. “Being a part of the Clemson Golf program was a dream of mine since I was a kid. But, little did I know what a profound effect it would have on my life. Now, to have the opportunity to be a part of something that gives back to this great program is an honor.”

Opportunities to play in the Tiger Golf Gathering Pro-Am, which will be held at the Thornblade Club, range in price from single playing positions for $1,000 to “Lead Donor” team sponsorships at $7,500. All Tiger golfer alumni, friends and family not participating in the Pro-Am event are invited to play in a Tiger Reunion Tournament to be held the same day at Verdae Greens Golf Club. Entry fees to both tournaments include tickets to the VIP Reunion Reception & Pairings Party on Thursday evening featuring heavy hors doeuvres, mini golf clinic, and live auction. There will be a limited number of tickets available for the general public to the Reunion Reception & Pairings Party at $100 each.