May 1, 2017
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - The Chick fil-A Peach Bowl Challenge golf tournament will be a role reversal for Auburn's Gus Malzahn. Instead of doing the coaching, it's Malzahn's turn to be coached.
Malzahn's playing partner, former Auburn kicker Al Del Greco, coaches golf at Samford. Can he coach up the Coach?
"I think it depends how much talent he actually has," Del Greco said with a laugh. "I saw him playing out at Shoal Creek with Hugh Freeze a couple times. Saw his swing, was impressed with what I saw."
Malzahn and Del Greco are teaming up Tuesday at Reynolds Lake Oconee near Atlanta, competing against other SEC, ACC and Big 12 coaches and former players, with winnings from the $630,000 purse going toward an endowed scholarship at Auburn University and the charity, A Level Up, Inc.
"I'm excited to play with Al," Malzahn said. "I understand he's an excellent golfer and he's going to need to be for us to compete. I haven't played a lot."
Del Greco, who scored all of Auburn's points in the 9-7 Sugar Bowl win over Michigan in 1984, played 17 seasons in the NFL. Before he heads to the golf course to coach the Bulldogs, Del Greco co-hosts The Opening Drive, a sports radio show in Birmingham.
Al Del Greco kicked three field goals in Auburn's 9-7 win over Michigan in the 1984 Sugar Bowl." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywide/12647551.jpeg"> Al Del Greco kicked three field goals in Auburn's 9-7 win over Michigan in the 1984 Sugar Bowl.
"I have Auburn's best interest at heart in anything I say on the radio," Del Greco said. "I say this about Jay Jacobs to everybody I meet. Jay makes every decision with the best interest of Auburn at heart. And I like to think I do the same thing on the radio.
"To some extent, I'm always rooting for Auburn. I like to think I'm objective enough that if there's something that's got to be pointed out that needs to be better, whether it's a coaching decision, a player's performance on the field, or the state of the program, I'm always going to be for Auburn, but it's also important that you speak your mind."
Del Greco shares Mazlahn's optimism for the upcoming season, especially when it comes to his former position, kicker.
"He's got all of the confidence in the world, as do all Auburn fans, in a young man named Daniel Carlson, who is just money in the bank," Del Greco said. "Maybe the best weapon that Auburn has ever had. I'll put that by position up against Bo, up against Cam at quarterback.
"You talk about a guy who has been just phenomenal, so reliable. I hope he has a great senior season and a big-time career in the NFL."
Del Greco began playing golf when he was 11. At Auburn he played at Indian Pines, and occasionally at Saugahatchee in charity events. The golf bug, he says, came during the NFL offseason, after Del Greco graduated from Auburn.
"Looking back now, I can honestly say I may have spent too much time in the offseason playing golf instead of getting ready for football," he said. "I can't change that now. I had a pretty good career. Golf has always been very special to me and I hope I play well this week."
"I think he'll really enjoy the event," Malzahn said. "Chick-fil-A just does a super job. It's always great to see the head coaches. It's something we really look forward to."
Gus Malzahn, with Chick-fil-A's Gary Stokan, helped Auburn earn money for scholarships and charity last year." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywide/12647552.jpeg"> Gus Malzahn, with Chick-fil-A's Gary Stokan, helped Auburn earn money for scholarships and charity last year.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer