CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson will play its first golf tournament in the state of Michigan September 26-28 when Jordan Byrd’s team competes in the inaugural Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes Golf Club.
The tournament will feature 18 teams that span the width of the United States. The field includes Air Force, Arizona, Army, Central Michigan, Clemson, Eastern Michigan, Florida State, Grand Valley State, Illinois, Kansas, Liberty, Michigan State, Navy, NC State, Oregon State, Texas Southern, UCLA and Virginia Union.
The 18 teams will play 18 holes each day, Monday through Wednesday on the par 72 course that was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course that opened just last year, measures 7,213 yards. The facility is a tribute to the military and commemorates the birthplace of Folds of Honor. American Dunes Club is located just a few hundred yards from the east shore of Lake Michigan. It is a dunes-like course, using the dramatic local topography and sand base that covers the property.
Clemson will take two seniors, a junior and two sophomores to Michigan. The lineup will be led by Kian Rose, who shot a seven-under-par 203 at the season opening Maui Jim Intercollegiate in Scottsdale, Arizona two weeks ago. His performance included a career best 65 in the opening round.
Carter Pendley and Zack Gordon are the two seniors in the Clemson lineup. Pendley had a solid 208 score at the Maui Jim to be Clemson’s second best player, while Gordon played in the individual tournament affiliated with the Maui Jim and shot a five-under-par 211 to finish 12th in that event. Gordon is a veteran of 33 tournaments and 96 rounds as a Tiger.
Jonathan Nielsen, a junior from Denmark in his first year at Clemson, also will be in the lineup. The Carson-Newman transfer who was a second team Division II All-American last year, shot an even par 210 in the first tournament of the year. Sophomore Andrew Swanson also will be in the Clemson lineup after shooting a 215 at the Maui Jim. His performance also included a second round 65.
Live scoring will be available on golfstat.com.