University of Georgia Athletics
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Smart to Represent Georgia in 2025 Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge
April 21, 2025 | Football
Smart set to make his ninth appearance in the nation's premier collegiate coach golf event
Greensboro, Ga. (April 21, 2025) – Georgia head coach Kirby Smart will represent the Bulldogs in the 18th annual Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament held April 27 – 29 at Reynolds Lake Oconee outside of Atlanta. This represents coach Smart's ninth appearance in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge as he looks to add to the $341,250 in charitable winnings he's already won in previous events.
The nation's premier collegiate coach golf event will feature a field of 25 current and former college football coaches competing for a share of a $300,000 charity purse. This year's tournament will be played using a two-man scramble format in an 18-hole tournament with the Stableford scoring system to help balance handicaps and encourage aggressive play.
The current field of competitors for this year's Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge is projected to include:
This year's field includes an impressive roster of college football greats that features five former Dodd Trophy winners, and a collective group of coaches who have won six FBS national championships, 48 conference championships and boast 2,454 collegiate career wins.
The 2025 field also features 23 coaches who have previously competed in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge, while Fred Goldsmith and Kyle Whittingham are set to make their first-ever appearances in the event.
Proceeds from the competition benefit charitable foundations selected by the coaches. Coach Smart's winnings will go to the Kirby Smart Family Foundation, which focuses on being champions in the community by supporting and giving back to needy children and families facing adversity.
To date, 59 head coaches have participated in the tournament during its 18-year history, raising a total of $3.2 million for 71 different charities and foundations. Since its creation in 2007, the event has contributed a total of $9.7 million in scholarship and charity, helping make Peach Bowl, Inc. college football's most charitable bowl organization.
ALL-TIME WINNINGS LEADERBOARD
1 Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech) $897,500
2 Steve Spurrier (S. Carolina / Florida) $644,500
3 Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech) $435,000
4 Dave Doeren (NC State) $380,800
5 Nick Saban (Alabama) $363,333
6 Kirby Smart (Georgia) $341,250
7 Dan Mullen (UNLV) $339,967
8 Hugh Freeze (Auburn) $322,917
9 Dabo Swinney (Clemson) $310,000
10 Jim Grobe (Wake Forest / Baylor) $239,500
11 Gus Malzahn (FSU) $239,167
12 Randy Edsall (Maryland / UConn) $223,300
13 Matt Luke (Ole Miss) $215,000
14 Tommy Tuberville (Auburn / Cin.) $206,250
15 Urban Meyer (Ohio State) $192,500
16 Jimbo Fisher (FSU / Texas A&M) $175,000
17 Al Golden (Miami) $170,000
18 Larry Fedora (North Carolina) $152,500
19 Pat Narduzzi (Pitt) $147,500
20 Houston Nutt (Ole Miss / Houston) $135,000
"We're fortunate to have so many of college football's biggest names return yet again this year as they shift from the gridiron to the green, competing for their selected charities," Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan said. "This annual tradition is now set to surpass $10 million in all-time charitable funds raised, which shows just how much of a positive impact we've been able to make for so many."
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and partner Urban Meyer defeated South Carolina's Shane Beamer and teammate Houston Nutt in a tournament-record, four-hole playoff to win last year's Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge. Paul Johnson leads all other coaches with four wins in the event, followed by Hugh Freeze, Randy Edsall, Matt Luke and Steve Spurrier, who each have two tournament victories to date.
PAST WINNERS
2024 Mike Norvell / Urban Meyer
2023 Pat Narduzzi / Chan Gailey
2022 Randy Edsall / Houston Nutt
2021 Randy Edsall / Tom O'Brien
2020 [ Not played -- COVID ]
2019 Matt Luke / Wesley Walls
2018 Matt Luke / Wesley Walls
2017 Hugh Freeze / Wesley Walls
2016 Hugh Freeze / Wesley Walls
2015 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2014 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2013 Al Golden / Gino Torretta
2012 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2011 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2010 Jimbo Fisher / Terrell Buckley
2009 Steve Spurrier / Sterling Sharpe
2008 Steve Spurrier / Sterling Sharpe
2007 Frank Beamer / Dell Curry
Pairings for the 2025 Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge will be announced prior to the tournament.
@CFAPeachBowl
About Peach Bowl, Inc.:
Peach Bowl, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization that operates the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Aflac Kickoff Game, the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, and manages and operates The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank national coach of the year award. It is the ninth-oldest bowl game in the country and is recognized as college football's most charitable bowl organization, having donated more than $65.4 million to organizations in need since 2002.
Peach Bowl, Inc Events:
Our Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is one of the New Year's Six bowls selected to host the College Football Playoff including the CFP Semifinal in 2026. Over its 57 years, the game has drawn 3.38 million fans in attendance, a total television audience of 257.1 million viewers on ESPN, and has created $934.2 million in direct economic impact and $55.18 million in tax revenue for Atlanta and Georgia.
Our Aflac Kickoff Game is the nation's longest-running kickoff game and has reshaped the opening weekend in college football. With 21 games since 2008, the game has regularly hosted the nation's top teams and has drawn nearly 1.4 million fans, 108.6 million television viewers, distributed $127.7 million in team payouts and created an additional $593.8 million in economic impact and $41.5 million in tax revenue for Atlanta and Georgia.
The Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge is the nation's premier charity golf tournament featuring top current and former college football coaches. Hosted at the beautiful Reynolds Lake Oconee resort outside Atlanta each spring, the event has generated $9.7 million for the various foundations and charities supported by its coaches.
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank is college football's most coveted national coaching award. Named for legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, The Dodd Trophy annually honors the FBS football coach whose program represents three pillars of success: scholarship, leadership and integrity.
About Southern Company:
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, The Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
Greensboro, Ga. (April 21, 2025) – Georgia head coach Kirby Smart will represent the Bulldogs in the 18th annual Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament held April 27 – 29 at Reynolds Lake Oconee outside of Atlanta. This represents coach Smart's ninth appearance in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge as he looks to add to the $341,250 in charitable winnings he's already won in previous events.
The nation's premier collegiate coach golf event will feature a field of 25 current and former college football coaches competing for a share of a $300,000 charity purse. This year's tournament will be played using a two-man scramble format in an 18-hole tournament with the Stableford scoring system to help balance handicaps and encourage aggressive play.
The current field of competitors for this year's Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge is projected to include:
| COACH | CURRENT OR FORMER FBS SCHOOL(S) | CHARITY |
| Active Head Coaches | ||
| Shane Beamer | South Carolina | Beamer Family Foundation |
| Manny Diaz | Duke | Durham Public Schools Foundation |
| P.J. Fleck | Minnesota | Row the Boat - Fleck Family Fund |
| Hugh Freeze | Auburn | Global Orphan Project |
| Brent Key | Georgia Tech | Key Family Foundation |
| Dan Lanning | Oregon | OHSU Foundation- Knight Cancer Institute |
| Jeff Monken | Army | Mission 22 |
| Dan Mullen | UNLV | Mullen Family 36 Foundation |
| Pat Narduzzi | Pitt | UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation |
| Mike Norvell | Florida State | Keep Climbing Family Foundation |
| Scott Satterfield | Cincinnati | Back2Back Cincinnati |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | Kirby Smart Family Foundation |
| Kyle Whittingham | Utah | Guadalupe Center |
| Legends | ||
| Derek Dooley | Louisiana Tech, Tennessee | Champions Place |
| Randy Edsall | Maryland, UConn | Edsall Family Foundation |
| Chan Gailey | Georgia Tech | Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Georgia Region |
| Fred Goldsmith | Rice, Duke | Operation Resolute |
| Jim Grobe | Ohio, Wake Forest, Baylor | Fisher DeBerry Foundation |
| Paul Johnson | Navy, Georgia Tech | Paul and Susan Johnson Family Foundation |
| Gus Malzahn | Florida State (OC), Ark. State, Auburn, UCF | Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs |
| Urban Meyer | Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, OhioState | Urban And Shelley Meyer Family Foundation |
| Rick Neuheisel | Colorado, Washington, UCLA | Lord Wedgwood Charity |
| Houston Nutt | Boise State, Arkansas, Ole Miss | Chickasaw Foundation |
| Tom O'Brien | Boston College, NC State | National Medal of Honor Leadership & Education Center |
| Steve Spurrier | Duke, Florida, South Carolina | HBC Foundation |
This year's field includes an impressive roster of college football greats that features five former Dodd Trophy winners, and a collective group of coaches who have won six FBS national championships, 48 conference championships and boast 2,454 collegiate career wins.
The 2025 field also features 23 coaches who have previously competed in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge, while Fred Goldsmith and Kyle Whittingham are set to make their first-ever appearances in the event.
Proceeds from the competition benefit charitable foundations selected by the coaches. Coach Smart's winnings will go to the Kirby Smart Family Foundation, which focuses on being champions in the community by supporting and giving back to needy children and families facing adversity.
To date, 59 head coaches have participated in the tournament during its 18-year history, raising a total of $3.2 million for 71 different charities and foundations. Since its creation in 2007, the event has contributed a total of $9.7 million in scholarship and charity, helping make Peach Bowl, Inc. college football's most charitable bowl organization.
ALL-TIME WINNINGS LEADERBOARD
1 Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech) $897,500
2 Steve Spurrier (S. Carolina / Florida) $644,500
3 Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech) $435,000
4 Dave Doeren (NC State) $380,800
5 Nick Saban (Alabama) $363,333
6 Kirby Smart (Georgia) $341,250
7 Dan Mullen (UNLV) $339,967
8 Hugh Freeze (Auburn) $322,917
9 Dabo Swinney (Clemson) $310,000
10 Jim Grobe (Wake Forest / Baylor) $239,500
11 Gus Malzahn (FSU) $239,167
12 Randy Edsall (Maryland / UConn) $223,300
13 Matt Luke (Ole Miss) $215,000
14 Tommy Tuberville (Auburn / Cin.) $206,250
15 Urban Meyer (Ohio State) $192,500
16 Jimbo Fisher (FSU / Texas A&M) $175,000
17 Al Golden (Miami) $170,000
18 Larry Fedora (North Carolina) $152,500
19 Pat Narduzzi (Pitt) $147,500
20 Houston Nutt (Ole Miss / Houston) $135,000
"We're fortunate to have so many of college football's biggest names return yet again this year as they shift from the gridiron to the green, competing for their selected charities," Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan said. "This annual tradition is now set to surpass $10 million in all-time charitable funds raised, which shows just how much of a positive impact we've been able to make for so many."
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and partner Urban Meyer defeated South Carolina's Shane Beamer and teammate Houston Nutt in a tournament-record, four-hole playoff to win last year's Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge. Paul Johnson leads all other coaches with four wins in the event, followed by Hugh Freeze, Randy Edsall, Matt Luke and Steve Spurrier, who each have two tournament victories to date.
PAST WINNERS
2024 Mike Norvell / Urban Meyer
2023 Pat Narduzzi / Chan Gailey
2022 Randy Edsall / Houston Nutt
2021 Randy Edsall / Tom O'Brien
2020 [ Not played -- COVID ]
2019 Matt Luke / Wesley Walls
2018 Matt Luke / Wesley Walls
2017 Hugh Freeze / Wesley Walls
2016 Hugh Freeze / Wesley Walls
2015 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2014 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2013 Al Golden / Gino Torretta
2012 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2011 Paul Johnson / Jon Barry
2010 Jimbo Fisher / Terrell Buckley
2009 Steve Spurrier / Sterling Sharpe
2008 Steve Spurrier / Sterling Sharpe
2007 Frank Beamer / Dell Curry
Pairings for the 2025 Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge will be announced prior to the tournament.
@CFAPeachBowl
About Peach Bowl, Inc.:
Peach Bowl, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization that operates the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Aflac Kickoff Game, the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, and manages and operates The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank national coach of the year award. It is the ninth-oldest bowl game in the country and is recognized as college football's most charitable bowl organization, having donated more than $65.4 million to organizations in need since 2002.
Peach Bowl, Inc Events:
Our Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is one of the New Year's Six bowls selected to host the College Football Playoff including the CFP Semifinal in 2026. Over its 57 years, the game has drawn 3.38 million fans in attendance, a total television audience of 257.1 million viewers on ESPN, and has created $934.2 million in direct economic impact and $55.18 million in tax revenue for Atlanta and Georgia.
Our Aflac Kickoff Game is the nation's longest-running kickoff game and has reshaped the opening weekend in college football. With 21 games since 2008, the game has regularly hosted the nation's top teams and has drawn nearly 1.4 million fans, 108.6 million television viewers, distributed $127.7 million in team payouts and created an additional $593.8 million in economic impact and $41.5 million in tax revenue for Atlanta and Georgia.
The Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge is the nation's premier charity golf tournament featuring top current and former college football coaches. Hosted at the beautiful Reynolds Lake Oconee resort outside Atlanta each spring, the event has generated $9.7 million for the various foundations and charities supported by its coaches.
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank is college football's most coveted national coaching award. Named for legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, The Dodd Trophy annually honors the FBS football coach whose program represents three pillars of success: scholarship, leadership and integrity.
About Southern Company:
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, The Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
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