Saban enjoys a round of golf at Regions Classic

HOOVER | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban is nearing the end of a marathon tour of the Southeast, often making three public appearances per day. But the tour does have its consolations.

Saban was on hand at Ross Bridge for a round of golf in the Regions Charity Classic, but before he jetted off to Montgomery for yet another speaking engagement — this time to a Crimson Caravan group — he had time to talk about a round of golf he played earlier in the week at Augusta National.

“This was my second time to play there,” Saban said. “It’s probably as beautiful a place to play as there is in the world. It’s also a really challenging course. If you are on the green, it’s fine. If you are 20 feet off, where I usually am, it is not much fun.”

Saban did have fun on the Ross Bridge course, including a crowd-pleasing sand save on the No. 18 hole.

“I had a couple of those today,” Saban said. “That could mean I am a great bunker player or it could mean that I was in the sand too much and made two good shots. I’ll let you figure it out.”

Saban wasn’t the only UA participant to get a round of applause. UA athletics director Mal Moore — part of the group that included Saban, former UA quarterback Jay Barker, former UA star Gator Todd and pro Tom Kite — put an 8-iron shot within inches of the flag on No 18, also drawing a roar of approval from the crowd.

“First time I ever got to tip my cap on the golf course,” Moore said with a smile.

There wasn’t much football news available — Saban has done a series of press appearances recently and, with the Crimson Tide team currently in its post-exam break, there has been little news.

Saban did say he had not spoken with former UA offensive lineman Andre Smith, the first-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith has been in the news recently as he is reportedly trying to decide whether to fire agent Rick Smith and rehire agent Alvin Keels.

“I haven’t talked to Andre or to his mom in the last few days,” Saban said. “I would say that what Andre probably needs right now is some stability.”

The schedule for Saban will slow somewhat as the Crimson Caravan concludes with a final stop in Atlanta next Tuesday night. That hardly means that Saban will come to a standstill.

“We’re scouting for the (upcoming) season, looking at tape,” Saban said. “I can’t go on the road recruiting. You know how I feel about that rule. But I am in the command center. I’m talking on the telephone. We are doing some video conferencing. So there is still a lot going on.”