Fresh off of a remarkable freshman campaign on the links for the Clemson Tigers, golf sensation Doc Redman won the prestigious U.S. Amateur competition this summer, epitomizing the promising state of Clemson’s golf program. Following up seasons in which both the men’s and women’s teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament, the Clemson golf program has high expectations facing it this season but should definitely be expected to live up to them.

With Redman leading the charge, the Clemson men’s golf team figures to be a primary candidate for claiming the ACC title this season, as the team is rife with talent and poised

for success. 

Despite losing the services of pivotal senior Carson Young from last year’s squad, Clemson should expect juniors Peterson Mathison and Bryson Nimmer to embrace their new key roles in combining with Redman to lead the Tigers.

Coached by the esteemed Larry Penley, who has won a whopping 74 tournaments throughout his career, the Tigers have drawn in several talented recruits in recent years to make their future conspicuously bright. And Penley’s glowing reputation and impressive coaching pedigree are the primary reasons why.

“He’s created a lasting culture of really great golf,” Redman said when discussing Coach Penley. “It made me want to

come here.”

Having already placed seventh in the Carpet Classic in Dalton, Georgia, earlier this month, the Tigers are off to a fair start, as talented youngsters William Nottingham and Colby Patton are in the process of learning and growing during the fall tournaments before the heart of the season begins in February.

One of the best stories of the 2016-2017 athletics slate for the Tigers involved the women’s golf team, which earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament in just the fourth year of the program’s existence. With Head Coach Kelley Hester then in her first season with the Tigers, Clemson experienced by far its most successful season of its young history, with the Tigers finishing 20th in the NCAA Tournament. 

Now, with the team turning its attention toward the coming season, a Clemson unit that brings back all five of its starters from this past season is in great position to compete for the ACC title this season.

I am hopeful that we can draw a lot of confidence from last year,” Hester said when speaking on her hopes and expectations for this season.

Led by Alice Hewson, who was honored as a Third-Team All-American last season after accruing a Clemson record 72.39 scoring average, the Tigers are teeming with talent. 

Last year, Ana Paula Valdes proved to be a freshman sensation for the Tigers and is in line to become even better as a sophomore. Sydney Legacy, Marisa Messana and Kennedy Swann are also back in the fray for Clemson, meaning that the Tigers’ seasoned lineup figures to be even better than it was last season.

Scheduled to compete for the first time this fall in the Mason Rudolph Championship later this week, the Clemson women’s golf team will be entering the season with plenty of excitement, as the team appears to be on the path of becoming a regular power in the ACC. For the men’s team, it will be business as usual as Penley and his Tigers attempt to earn the 11th conference title in program history. 

While the fall schedule will serve as a measuring stick of sorts for both teams before the crux of the season gets underway during the winter, Clemson should very well be expected to compete at a high level from start to finish. 

The coaching and playing prowess on the greens right now is arguably as good as it has ever been

in TigerTown.