Clarence Rose Experience: 1978-80

Although the Clemson golf program has had much success and many All-Americans recently, the team's honors had to start somewhere. Clarence Rose was the first Tiger golfer to earn All-America honors; he was named to the second team in 1980. The 1980 team, which he led as a senior, was the first team in Clemson history to play in the NCAA Tournament and they finished tied for 12th place.

Rose transferred to Clemson from Mt. Olive Junior College for his junior year. He chose Clemson over golf powerhouse Wake Forest. His recruiting visit to Tigertown included a football game and he decided he liked the campus and wanted to be a part of the Clemson family. Although he only played two years for the Tigers, he managed to gather plenty of awards in his short tenure. He was a first-team All-ACC selection in 1979 and 1980, the first two-time honoree in Tiger history. In the 14 tournaments that he played, Rose finished in the top 10 seven times. In 2003, he was named to the ACC's 50th Anniversary Team, honoring the sport's greatest players in conference history.

After his Clemson career, Rose progressed to the professional level. The Goldsboro, NC native has played 16 years on the PGA Tour. He won his first title in 1996 at the Sprint International at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Pines, CO. He sank an eagle putt on the first playoff hole to capture the title over former Furman golfer Brad Faxson. Prior to the victory, Rose had six second-place finishes in PGA tournaments. Nineteen ninety-six was his best year on the tour as he finished 41st on the money list. His total driving, a combination of rank in driving distance and driving accuracy, ranked 10th among PGA golfers.

The success came after a break from golf and a year on the Buy.com Tour. Rose's 18 month-old son had been diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 1990. The golfer played in only a few tournaments until 1995 to be with his son, who has since recovered. Rose spent 1995 on the Buy.com Tour where he won the Pensacola Classic. He also claimed the JCPenney Classic with Amy Fruwith of the LPGA in 1997. During his 16 years with the PGA Tour, Rose finished in the top 10 at 26 different tournaments.

The first former Tiger to win over $1 million on the PGA Tour, Rose has returned to and made his home in Goldsboro, NC with his wife Jan and their two children, Clark (15) and Allison (14). He has spent the last few years being a traditional dad, but he has played in various tournaments and plans on joining the Senior PGA Tour when he turns 50. This past summer he returned to Clemson to help with current Head Coach Larry Penley's golf camp. The two were roommates on road trips during Rose's senior year.

Rose has started the Clarence Rose Foundation to help needy children in the Wayne County, NC area. They have raised over $250,000 from four golf tournaments to give back to the kids of the county. The money helps to fund children's organizations, health costs and school needs.