Kirby Smart, Nick Saban have friendly wager on pro-am golf tournament
Kirby Smart and Nick Saban have always been competitive with each other. The two were known for their battles on the basketball court when coaching together at Alabama. Since Smart left for Georgia in 2016, their teams have gone head to head five times, and until this past season, Saban’s Crimson Tide had gotten the best of the Bulldogs each time. However, that’s no longer the case and Georgia has a National Championship to show for it, beating Alabama 33-18 in January.
Well, the two friends and rivals are back at it again on Wednesday, only this time it’s on the golf course. With each playing in the Regions Tradition pro-am golf tournament at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Ala., Smart and Saban have $1,000 on today’s round. At least that is according to Smart.
Smart, Saban among several SEC figures
Smart and Saban are two of several SEC figures playing in today’s pro-am. Auburn head football coach Bryan Harsin, Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats and Tiger legends Bo Jackson and Charles Barkley are among the celebrities also participating. Oh, and so too is the voice of the SEC Paul Finebaum.
“Easy? There’s nothing easy about keeping it in the fairway for me,” Smart joked during an appearance on the “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” radio show before he teed off.
Greg McElory, the Alabama quarterback during a portion of Smart’s time there, predicted that Smart would be the best coach of the representatives there, however, Smart wasn’t quite as confident.
“That’s not true,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve played with most of these coaches. I know where I stack up. It’s not well. It’s ironic that he’s not here. I’m sure he scheduled his tee time where he wouldn’t have to be on the show with me this year where every other year he gets to sit here and gloat and talk. He avoided all that. Greg thinks very highly himself if you ask him. I’m glad he’s not here to defend himself.”
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