LARRY PENLEY

Clemson Director of Golf (retired)

2003 NCAA Coach of the Year
8-Time ACC Coach of the Year
2009 South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

Clemson Director of Golf Larry Penley is the winningest coach in Clemson history in terms of team championships (83) while producing 60 All-Americans. In the prior 32 years, the Tigers have finished in the top-20 twenty-three times with seven top-4 finishes. Clemson also won the East Regionals in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, & 2004. Clemson has also won eleven ACC Championships under Coach Penley.

The Tigers have been just as successful in the classroom, Coach Penley's teams have graduated at a rate of 97%. During his 34 years at Clemson, the Tigers have had over 12 Academic All-American selections.

As a player, Coach Penley has also excelled. He was a 1981 All-ACC selection while playing for Clemson with a stroke average of 72.66 He is also the 1987 and 1998 South Carolina Amateur Champion, setting a scoring record in 1987 with a score of 277 (-11). He has also won the SCGA Mid-Am (1990) and the 1992 Carolinas Golf Association Mid-Am.

ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS

Erica Popson

Assistant Coach - Woman's Golf

Erica Popson joined Clemson's woman golf staff in the fall of 2021 as an assistant coach.

Prior to Clemson, Popson spent the last two seasons as the assistant coach at UNLV. She spent time as an LPGA Tour member in 2014 and won the 2016 Symetra Classic during her 2015-18 run as a Symetra Tour Member.

As one of the most decorated players in University of Tennessee history, Popson finished her career as a three-time All-American, including First Team honors in 2011, a two-time SEC All-Conference First Team honoree, and the 2011 SEC Individual Champion. She still holds multiple school records for the Vols, turned in six individual collegiate wins and earned a World Amateur Golf Ranking as high as #4. Popson also played on the 2012 USA Curtis Cup team.

ACADEMY DIRECTOR

Joey Maxon

Assistant Coach - Men's Golf

Joey Maxon joined Clemson men's golf staff in the Summer of 2021.

Prior to Clemson, Maxon was Head Coach of Men's and Woman's golf at Southern Wesleyan and Assistant Coach at Charlotte and East Tennessee State University.

Maxon played in several PGA Tour events including two US Opens. As an 1994-1998 Clemson Golf Alumni, Maxon was a two-time All-American with 14 top 10 finishes in 44 tournaments.

Michael Carlisle

Head Coach - USC Aiken Golf

2010 GCAA Hall of Fame
2005 NCAA Coach of the Year
2004-2006 NCAA Div. II National Champs
Pacers have won 75 titles
Produced 40 All Americans
1995 & 1996 NCAA II regular season National Champions
District III Coach of the Year 7 years in a row
Winner Carolina Amateur & SCGA Mid-AM

Session 1: June 8 - 12

Session 2: June 15-19

Coach Penley love for the game and passion for working with young people, volunteers his time and expertise to the Academy enriching the lives of each student through his bigger than life personality and knowledge of the game.

KELLEY HESTER

Head Coach, Women's Golf

2023 ACC Coach of the Year!

Coach Hester guided the Tigers to the first ACC Championship in school history, 2023 and earned the personal recognition of ACC Coach of the Year. Her program has reached the NCAA Tournament each year. She is the only coach in NCAA Division I history to take four different programs to the NCAA National tournament and record at least one top 20 finish at four different schools. She led Furman to the South Conference Championship in 2015 and 2016 and was named Coach of the Year both for both seasons. She was named 2017 NCAA regional golf Coach of the Year. Kelley alma mater is University of Georgia

JORDAN BYRD

Head Coach, Golf

Coach Jordan Byrd provides leadership in Clemson’s player skill development and team success resulting in Clemson regularly recognized as one of the nation’s top NCAA golf programs. Coach Byrd’s philosophy is to provide an environment that is committed to excellence. “It is one's dedication and commitment to excellence in personal, academic and sports life that foundations a player to achieve at the highest levels”.

Coach Byrd provides a life example of both excellence and commitment to servicing the hearts and minds of his players, while providing golfing expertise and a foundation for success both on and off the greens.

Coach Byrd's time and expertise are solicited by current PGA players, who value his coaching advice, experience and instruction.

Coach Byrd at the 2019 Open with

PGA players, Kyle Stanley

and Doc Redman

Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Head Coach, Clemson (2021-Present)
Assistant Coach, Clemson (2005-2021)
2-Time All-Conference at Furman University
Furman University '98

​​Coach Penley love for the game and passion for working with young people, volunteers his time and expertise to the Academy enriching the lives of each student through his bigger than life personality and knowledge of the game.

Coach Penley love for the game and passion for working with young people, volunteers his time and expertise to the Academy enriching the lives of each student through his bigger than life personality and knowledge of the game.