Cat clawing the couch?

I have a problem with my 1 yr old male cat. Everytime I pull into the drive way I see him go staight to the couch which I can see from the car and start clawing it. He'll stop for a minute or so until I get back inside and then go and do it again, harder and faster. No amounts of growling at him works as it usually does when he's . I have to phisically move him away. Why does he do this? Is this him being angry at me while I'm away or is he showing how 'tought' he can be? Please help, my couch is coping a beating!!