About the only tribute Clemson can’t give Larry Penley is retiring his jersey. Golfers don’t wear numbers.

But the Tigers have made sure their winningest coach has received just about every other honor.

Penley joined football great Michael Dean Perry in being inducted into Clemson’s Ring of Honor during halftime of the Tigers’ game against LSU — the highest recognition the university bestows.

Penley’s Clemson journey began as an All-ACC player and ended with a 38-year career as head coach that produced 10 ACC titles and the 2003 national championship.

The team’s golf building already bears his name. His closet holds blazers from five halls of fame. Yet none of those accolades compared to hearing 80,000 fans cheer his name inside Memorial Stadium.

“It was incredible,” Penley said. “I never spent any time thinking about something like this while I was coaching. Since I’ve been retired, I’ve had time to reflect and reminisce, and this honor was extra special.”

Family at the Center
What made the moment most meaningful to Penley, who retired in 2021 after his 10th conference championship, was being surrounded by his loved ones.

“To have my whole family there — my wife Heidi, our kids and their families — it was just neat being all together,” he said. “Maybe someday the grand kids will remember being there with their Popaw.”

For a coach who built his career around team moments, the personal setting stood out.

“When we won the national championship in 2003 out in Oklahoma, there might have been 20 people there to see us get the trophy — parents and girlfriends,” Penley recalled. “This was really awesome.

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A Weekend with His Players
The celebration coincided with Clemson’s bi-annual Tiger Golf Gathering, a pro-am fundraiser that brings together generations of Penley’s former players. He spent the weekend reconnecting and expressing gratitude.

“I was able to tell all of them how much I appreciated what they did,” Penley said. “Whether they made a career in golf or went on to families and jobs, it didn’t matter — it was great to spend time with them.”

Records and Reflections
Penley’s record speaks for itself: the national title, the most ACC wins in league history, and dozens of players who went on to professional or personal success.

Penley didn’t retire to become a professional baby sitter for his grand kids, but that is part of his life these days.

Golf is still important, but lately he laughs about playing through a troublesome disc in his neck, but still finds his way to the course.

“I decided I wanted to play, went over to Boscobel, and shot my age — a 66. Felt pretty good,” he said. “I got to play both days of the Tiger Gathering with my old teammate Tony Nimmer, and it was a great weekend.”

A Final Honor
Now with his name on the golf facility and in Clemson’s Ring of Honor, Penley has little left to check off.

“I think this is about it,” he said with a grin. “I don’t think there’s anything else — and that’s just fine.”