Head men’s golf coach Larry Penley announced his retirement following the 2021 spring season. The upcoming season marks his 38th year directing the program.

“I can’t thank Clemson University enough for allowing me to live a dream,” said Penley. “Being part of the Clemson Golf program as a player, assistant coach and head coach since 1977 has been special to say the least. Thanks also to all of our past student-athletes and their families. It has been an honor to serve as their coach. I am proud of the way they have represented Clemson in competition and off the course when they were student-athletes and in their careers.”

With the legacy Penley cemented in Clemson and across college golf, it is only fitting that those that were impacted by him shared a few words.

“Playing under Coach Larry Penley was an extraordinary experience in many ways. Not only was he well-liked and treated like a celebrity amongst the other college coaches (due to his personality and proven track record), but he had countless stories everywhere we went that captivated us for hours. One thing that stands out to me is his exceptional memory regarding past tournaments, pin locations, green reads, and shots players hit, which gave us a huge advantage by enabling us to learn from the past. When you were playing well (Behr was an All-American his senior year and was Clemson’s top player) there was no other coach who made you ooze confidence quite like Coach Penley… “That’s real good” is still something I hear in my head to this day after hitting a great golf shot. I’ll also never forget the generosity of him and Mrs. Penley, who often graciously hosted the team at their house for outstanding dinners throughout the season. Ultimately, Coach Penley helped me mature and grow into the player, and man, that I am today, and for that, I will always be thankful.”

“Having the opportunity to play for coach Larry Penley has made me a much better golfer and a better person. Obviously, his career at Clemson is unmatched and the impact he has had is incredible! Clemson golf owes a lot to Coach Penley and Coach Jordan Byrd for their time and effort in the program. Coach Penley truly wants what is best for every player on his team and will do anything for you, which is a great feeling from a player’s perspective! Coach Penley will truly be missed, but I know he will enjoy having some time off after all the years spent traveling and giving to the program! Thanks for everything Coach! Go Tigers.”

“Larry Penley changed my life forever when he gave me the opportunity to play golf at Clemson University. I am so proud to be a part of an incredible legacy that Larry has single-handedly created, and am excited for what the next chapter holds for Clemson Golf. Larry was like a father during my time at Clemson and he continues to be a sounding board and friend to all former and current players.”

“There are defining moments and influential people in everyone’s life and career. For my golf career, one of those moments and one of those people merged when Coach Larry Penley offered me the chance to come to Clemson. There’s little doubt in my mind that without that opportunity to come compete at Clemson under Larry, I would have achieved just a fraction of what I’ve been able to do in golf. I’m honored to be a small part of the rich golf heritage he has built over the course of four decades at Clemson, and I will forever be grateful to him for giving me a chance to join the Clemson golf family.”

“I am grateful to have played my college golf at Clemson University under Larry Penley. In my four years, he taught me how to compete and how to simplify my game to get the most out of it. He was patient and kind, but also tough, which I surely needed. He and his wife Heidi have been a great team for Clemson golf and have left quite a legacy. Congratulations coach on an awesome career and my family wishes you and Heidi the best in your retirement.”

“I am sure Larry is looking forward to retirement. He certainly deserves it after spending 40 + years as a player and then coach, building the program to what it is today. As a wide-eyed freshman growing up in Boston, Mass., I knew nothing about Clemson, nor could I find it on a map, but from the first day of recruiting I trusted Larry. Coming to Clemson was the best decision of my life. Larry and Heidi took me in as part of their family, and I have been a proud member of the Clemson Family ever since. For me, it will be sad to see Larry retire since he is the one common denominator since I walked on campus in 1985. The Clemson legacy he has created is impressive, but even more remarkable is the number of former players who remain so close and continue to support the golf program years after they have graduated. To me, Larry is not only a Hall of Fame coach, but he is someone that I have had the privilege to call a close friend for almost 40 years. Larry will be missed, but I have confidence Clemson golf will continue to flourish due to the strong foundation he has created for four decades.”

“I want to congratulate Coach Larry Penley on his 38 amazing years leading the Clemson program. Personally, Coach Penley was very instrumental in my growth both on the course and off, and has been a tremendous asset to me over the years. He helped make my transition from college golf to professional golf very seamless. I wish him nothing but the best and thank him for the legacy he leaves behind.”

“Coach Penley is an even better person than the great coach he is. He brought me into the Clemson Family as if I was his own and taught me how to represent myself, Clemson Golf and the University with integrity and the competitive nature to win championships. Coach Penley is respected nationally as a great college golf coach, but more importantly, respected locally as a Clemson legend.”

“Larry Penley is just simply a remarkable players Coach! Coach Penley was able to relate with all of his players and give each of us a fatherly presence. He taught all of us so much about time management, ways to prepare for tournaments, a love for Clemson, and pushed each of us to be the best we could be! He was able to do all of this over the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s in all aspects of our lives. Coach Penley will always be a best friend and, along with his wife Heidi, they will always be a second family to me! As he walks off into the sunset, I will always remember the joys of my experience at Clemson with him at the helm and all the incredible experiences and victories we (all my former players) all had with the Head Unit! Cheers Coach to an incredible career!”

“It has been both an honor and a privilege to work alongside Coach Penley in my five years at Clemson. While we have known each other for many years it was not until I took over as the Head Women’s Coach at Clemson in 2016 that I truly got to see firsthand how he does things. He takes a genuine interest in each and every player in our program on both sides and cares more about their development as people than their golf games. He has created an atmosphere of FAMILY for Clemson Golf for which I am most grateful. Coach Penley is a true gentleman and class act! I’m proud to say I have worked with one of the best to ever coach our sport!”