Despite a challenging weekend on the links, Clemson’s young golf talents provided a glimpse of a bright future for both the men’s and women’s teams.
For the first time since 2018, the Clemson men’s team traveled two true freshmen to its season-opening tournament.
Freshman Colin Salema led the newcomers, finishing No. 50 (third for the Tigers) with a 216 over 54 holes, including a stellar 2.92 average on par threes — seventh best in the field. Fellow freshman Rich Wills posted rounds of 74-74-75, finishing with a 221 and tying for No. 75.
Redshirt senior Kian Rose bounced back from last season’s injuries to lead the Tigers with a 28th-place finish. Rose shot a 212, including two 70s to start the weekend and a final round 72. He finished with 14 birdies and a par-5 scoring average of 4.0, both of which tied for the best in the field of 85.
The highly competitive Inverness Intercollegiate tournament featured 14 top teams, nine of which competed in last year’s NCAA National Tournament.
Clemson finished 12th overall, while ACC opponent Virginia took home the title with a score of 826 compared to Clemson’s 861.
The women’s team faced similar struggles at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate, tying for ninth place. Sophomore Ivy Schulze and junior Isabella Rawl led a late charge, both finishing at -1 on the final day as the Tigers shot -5 on the final nine holes.
Schulze capped off her tournament with two birdies in her final four holes to finish tied for No. 44 at +9. Rawl, fueled by four birdies in her final round, ended at +4 to tie for No. 27.
Sydney Roberts and freshman Aitana Tuesta matched Rawl’s score, both tying for No. 27 at +4.
Chloe Holder completed the Tigers’ lineup, finishing T51 after her best showing of the tournament with an even par on the final nine holes.
The women’s team will look to bounce back at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, from Sept. 20-22; the men’s team returns to action at the Valero Texas Collegiate from Sept. 21-23 at TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas, home of the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open.
