Over its existence, Clemson's Walker Course has been ranked among the best public-access courses in South Carolina, as well as one of the top collegiate layouts. Now PGA.com, the website that covers PGA of America events, has placed the "home of the Tigers" in its ranking of the nation's best university courses.
The design by architect D.J. DeVictor was selected ninth best by the website, and is one of two courses in the Southeast to be so honored, joining the University of South Florida's "The Claw" in Tampa.
Leading the rankings is the Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University, which has played host to a Web.com Tour event as well as serving as the Buckeyes' home course.
Opened in 1995 and located on the southwest corner of Clemson's campus, the Walker Course measures 6,911 yards and par-72. Its signature hole is the "Tiger Paw" par-3 17th, where the green is surrounded by bunkers to form a huge real-life representation of the school's famed Tiger Paw logo.
Home to Clemson's 2003 NCAA national championship team, the course complex also houses the school's Madren Center and hotel. Clemson's men's teams have also posted eight top-5 NCAA finishes as well as nine Atlantic Coast Conference and seven NCAA regional titles.
In 2013, the Walker Course will become the home of the inaugural Clemson women's team. The course is also open for public play; for information, call (864) 656-0236 or click here.
The complete PGA.com listing of top university courses:
1. Scarlet Course, Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio
2. The Claw, South Florida, Tampa, Fla.
3. Kampen Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
4. Karsten Creek, Oklahoma State, Stillwater, Okla.
5. Washington National, U. of Washington, Auburn, Wash.
6. Rutgers University, Rutgers, New Brunswick, N.J.
7. Course at Yale, Yale University, New Haven, Ct.
8. Stanford University, Stanford U., Stanford, Calif.
9. Walker Course, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
Clemson’s Walker Course
