Former Clemson Golfer Delk Passes Away

Clemson, S.C. (CAC) — Former Clemson golfer Billy Delk, who taught among others current PGA Tour player Ben Martin, and current Clemson head coach Larry Penley, passed away on July 3.  He was 85 years old.

Delk came to Clemson in 1947 and was a top player on the Clemson golf team almost immediately.  He lettered in 1948-49-50-51 and was a part of a 19-match team winning streak from 1946-48.

A resident of Greenville when he was at Clemson, Delk won the South Carolina State Championship in 1950 and 1951.  Those were match play events in those days.  He won the 1950 tournament with a 4 & 3 36-hole victory win over Bob Thorsen, the defending champion.  Clemson also won the team state championship in 1950.

After graduation, Delk served the US Army in the Korean War.  He then began a long career as a teaching professional.

One of his pupils was his son, Thump, who became an All-American golfer on Clemson’s 1993 team that finished fourth at the NCAA Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky.  Thump shot a one under par 287 to finish third individually.

He also taught Penley the game during his youth, and taught Ben Martin when he was a young golfer in Greenwood, S.C.  Martin became an All-American at Clemson, finished second at the 2009 U.S. Amateur, and is now on the PGA Tour.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, in downtown Greenville. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the Downtown Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, West.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to S.C. Jr. Golf Association, P O Box 286, Irmo, SC 29063.