About Us

The Walker Golf Course

A University golf course was the vision of many supportive “tigers” for years. Through the leadership and generous support of John Walker Jr., who named the course in honor of his father, Col. John E. Walker, it finally became a reality. Col. Walker played football at Clemson for three years before graduating in 1926 with a B.S. in Engineering. He served in Panama, Alaska, and the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII, and was executive officer and commander of the 104th Infantry Regiment. In addition to receiving the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, he was awarded the Chinese Yun Hui Ribbon. John Walker Jr. received a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Clemson in 1958 and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia in 1963. He is president and founder of Andesa TPA. Inc. of Allentown PA., which administers corporate life insurance policies for large life insurance companies. John remains active at Clemson University and serves on the Foundation Board of Directors.

John Walker’s decision to support the golf course stems from his belief “in the concept of a strong working relationship between the university and the business community and in the importance of the conference center as a catalyst in helping that to occur.” He states, “I believe the golf course is a necessary element for a successful , high-level, business conference program.”

Located next to the Madren Conference Center and Martin Inn, the 18-hole championship course is home to the nationally ranked Clemson Tiger Golf Team. The course measures 6911 yards in length from the “Tiger” tees and a very playable 5934 yards from the “White” tees. The Walker Course enjoys the distinction of being the only 18-hole Championship golf course built to be fully accessible for all golfers, regardless of physical handicap. The last five holes, including the signature hole #17, the “Tiger Paw”, run along the shores of Lake Hartwell offering one of the most spectacular collections of finishing holes in the area.