Penley’s Team to Host Clemson Invitational This Weekend

Clemson, S.C.—The Clemson men’s golf program will play host to its third annual Clemson Invitational this weekend at the Cliffs at Keowee Falls Golf Course in Salem, S.C. The field will include 12 teams from around the country, including ACC members Clemson, Boston College and Notre Dame. Teams from the state of South Carolina include Furman, Winthrop and Wofford.

Competition will begin Friday, April 13 and conclude Sunday April 15. Tee times will begin each day at 8:50 a.m. from holes one and 10 at the par 72 course. Live results will be available at golfstat.com.

Clemson has won the tournament each of the first two years and with a No. 14 ranking by Golfweek and No.15 ranking by Golfstat, is the favorite once again. Larry Penley’s Tigers are coming off victories in two of their last three tournaments. The Tigers won the Puerto Rico Classic on Feb. 20, finished second at the Bandon Dunes Championship in Oregon March 13, then won the Irish Creek Collegiate in Kannapolis, NC last week. Clemson is 40-1 against the field over its last three tournaments.

Turk Pettit enters this event with a 70.14 stroke average, on pace to be the top average in Clemson history. The freshman who played high school golf in Auburn, Ala. has four top 10 finishes, all of whom are in the top three. The second highest ranked freshman in the ACC won his first college tournament last week by three shots at the Irish Creek Collegiate with a four-under par score. He has 14 under-par rounds, including eighth in the 60s so far this year.

Bryson Nimmer is close behind Pettit in terms of stroke average at 70.57 for his 21 rounds and seven tournaments. The two-time All-ACC golfer has 11 under-par rounds and four top 10 finishes this year, including a second-place at the Carpet Classic to open the season.

Colby Patton and Kyle Cottam are two more freshmen in the Clemson lineup. Clemson’s freshman class is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Golfstat so far this year. Patton has a 72.11 stroke average and is coming off a 12th place finish at Irish Creek. Cottam has a 72.38 stroke average, including an eighth-place finish at Irish Creek last week. Clemson’s top three golfers at Irish Creek were freshmen.

William Nottingham, holder of the Clemson single round record with a 62 recorded last year, has a 73.67 stroke average so far this year.

Also participating as individuals in the tournament are Coleman Self and Peter Mathison. Sophomore All-American Doc Redman will not play as he competes in the PGA Tour’s Heritage Classic this weekend on Hilton Head Island. Redman will return next week for the ACC Tournament.

Third Annual Clemson Invitational

Cliffs at Keowee Falls Course, Salem, SC

April 13-15, 2018

Course Address:

Cliffs at Keowee Falls

104 Cliffs Falls Pkwy, Salem, SC 29676

Format: 12 teams compete, top four scores from each five-man team count each day.

The Course: Par 72, plays to 7,103 yards

Tee Times: Each day play starts off holes one and 10 beginning at 8:50 a.m.

Teams: Clemson, Boston College, Elon, Furman, George Mason, Navy, Notre Dame, SMU, Winthrop, Wofford, UCONN and UNC Wilmington.

History: 3rd annual event, Clemson has been champion each of first two years.

Clemson Head Coach: Larry Penley (Clemson ’83), 76 wins

Clemson Rankings: No. 14 by Golfweek and No. 15 by Golfstat

Clemson Players Top 50 Rankings: Turk Pettit (#23 Golfweek, #32 Golfstat); Bryson Nimmer (#37 Golfweek, #31 Golfstat).

Clemson Lineup: Turk Pettit (Fr., Auburn, Ala, 70.14); Bryson Nimmer (Jr., Bluffton, S.C., 70.57), Colby Patton (Fr., Fountain Inn, SC, 72.11); Kyle Cottam (Fr., Knoxville, Tenn., 72.38); William Nottingham (Soph., Kingsport, Tenn., 73.67).

Clemson Individuals: Peter Mathison (Jr., Jupiter, Fla., 75.33), Coleman Self (So,, Greenwood, SC, 75.67)