Virginia men’s basketball head coach Tony Bennett and his dad, Dick Bennett, are getting their wish: the two will play a round of golf at Augusta National.
Bennett and his father, a former college basketball coach himself, will tee it up next week at Augusta National, according to Wisconsin Golf. Both men will play as guests of a Virginia booster, who happens to be a member at the famed golf club.
The younger Bennett played at Augusta National three years ago, but his dad declined the invitation, according to the elder Bennett. Dick said to Wisconsin Golf that, “I told him, at that time, ‘Tony, the only way I’d play there, let’s make a deal; if you ever go to the Final Four, and you’re invited again, I’ll play.'”
And Bennett responded by taking Virginia to its first Final Four this year since 1984. In fact, the Cavaliers captured their first men’s basketball national championship in school history.
After winning the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier this month, Bennett shared he and his dad’s wish with sportscaster Jim Nantz to play a round of golf at the home of the Masters. He didn’t just share the wish; Bennett asked the voice of the Masters himself to get them into Augusta National for a round.
When asked what it meant to have his dad at the Final Four cheering on he and his team, Bennett shared the promise his father made to him.
“My dad said if I ever make it to the Final Four, he’d come and play Augusta with me,” Bennett said to Nantz. “So maybe you can get us on that course, alright?”
“I’ll work on that one,” Nantz said.
Watch Bennett make his pitch to Nantz here:
“I told them, I just want a chance at a title fight one day.” ✊
Hear from Tony Bennett after his @UVAMensHoops squad win the #NationalChampionship! #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/ebjjLuedie
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 9, 2019
Well, it didn’t end up being Nantz who came through for the Bennett family. Nevertheless, the two men will get their chance to play at Augusta National. While Tony is reportedly a regular golf, Dick is not as confident heading into their dream round.
“This is one time I can say I’m honestly in over my head,” Dick said to Wisconsin Golf.
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