Clemson To Host Men’s and Women’s Golf Tourneys

CLEMSON, S.C. – Next spring, for the first time in school history, Clemson’s men’s and women’s golf programs will co-host a tournament. The 2016 Clemson Invitational on Lake Keowee is scheduled for Thursday, March 31 through Sunday, April 3, and features simultaneous tournaments with the men playing at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls and the women playing at The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

Play begins with a practice round and College-Amateur on Thursday, followed by three rounds on Friday through Sunday.

“We’re very excited about the Clemson Invitational next April,” said Larry Penley, Clemson head men’s golf coach. “This has been a long time coming, and we wanted it to be the right fit before we put our name on a college tournament. These courses are part of our golf family. 

“The men’s teams will find that the Cliff’s Falls is one of the top venues in the country and the women will have the same feeling about The Reserve. I know our players are very excited about having a home tournament, and it will really add something special to our spring schedule. Our goal is to make it the best regular season tournament in the country, one that will be a memorable event for all the players participating.”

Joining the Clemson men’s team will be Louisville, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Furman, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Winthrop and Elon.

On the women’s side, head coach J.T. Horton’s program will host Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Furman, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan State, UNCW, Kennesaw State, Houston, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, GRU Augusta and Boston College.

“You can see by the field this will be one of the top spring tournaments in the Southeast this year,” Horton said. “The field will feature some of the top players in the nation and we hope to have a great crowd that weekend. We’re very excited about our partnership with The Reserve to host this college tournament. The Reserve at Lake Keowee is one of the most beautiful courses and clubs in the country and its amenities will provide a truly wonderful experience for all the teams coming to our tournament.”

The Jack Nicklaus designed Cliffs at Keowee Falls is named for Falls Creek, which winds its way through seven holes. The 160-acre Keowee Falls golf course stretches across mountainous terrain with numerous elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, streams, ponds and lengthy par 3s, all surrounded by woods and wildflowers. Bermuda grass tees and fairways with Champion ultra-dwarf greens keep things interesting on the course.

“The Cliffs is proud to be the host course for Clemson University’s’ inaugural Invitational, the first NCAA co-ed golf tournament in school history,” said Brian Peeples, PGA, Director of Golf Operations for The Cliffs. “The Cliffs at Keowee Falls has been recognized as one of the top-ranked courses in America and will prove to be a challenging track for the men’s teams. Our hospitality team plans to elevate the experience for the student athletes and their families, and we are genuinely excited to further our longstanding relationship with Clemson through the lens of such a unique event of this caliber.”

Nicklaus also placed his signature on The Reserve with a 7,112-yard masterpiece along the emerald waters of Lake Keowee with soaring views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

“The Reserve at Lake Keowee community is extremely proud to be a host course for the 2016 Clemson Golf Invitational,” David B. Fleming General Manager at The Reserve said. “We invite you to The Reserve to watch the future stars of the LPGA tour on April 1, 2 and 3rd, 2016.”

2016 Clemson Invitational on Lake Keowee

Thursday, March 31 – Practice Round/College AM Tournament

Friday, April 1

Saturday, April 2

Sunday, April 3

Men – The Cliffs at Keowee Falls

Women – The Reserve at Lake Keowee