(ATHENS, Ga.) — For University of Georgia football coach Kirby Smart, competition is more than a philosophy — it’s a way of life.
The architect of Georgia’s recent football dynasty has built his career on an obsession with winning, a trait that dates back to childhood. Family members recall his intense competitive streak becoming so pronounced that board games were effectively banned in the Smart household.
That same drive has fueled Georgia’s rise to the top of college football, producing multiple national championships and SEC titles. But away from the sidelines, Smart has found another outlet for his competitive nature: golf.
“It’s what my career was built on,” Smart said. “I love competing, and I love winning.”
Golf has long attracted highly competitive personalities, and Smart is no exception. While he describes himself as an average golfer who maintains a 12 handicap, he embraces the sport’s constant challenge and imperfections.
“The imperfection — that’s what I love about golf,” Smart said. “You never play a perfect round.”
Now, golf is becoming an even bigger part of Georgia’s athletic ecosystem through The Rose, a new private golf club under development just minutes from campus.
The project is the vision of brothers Nick and Dimitri Cassini, former Georgia golfers who dreamed of creating a world-class golf destination in Athens. After years spent in real estate development and extensive travel to some of the world’s premier golf clubs, the brothers purchased farmland outside the city and began transforming it into a destination unlike any other in the state.
Designed by architect Tripp Davis, The Rose is intended to be a nationally recognized golf club with a membership that extends far beyond Georgia alumni. Every detail, from course design to hospitality offerings, has been carefully curated by the Cassinis, whose goal is to create an elite golf experience while giving back to the community that helped shape their lives.
The club has already attracted attention from prominent Georgia football figures, including NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford. A former Bulldogs star, Stafford says Smart’s competitive reputation extends well beyond the football field.
“We’ve been on some duck hunts together, on the golf course together, and Kirby doesn’t like to lose — at anything,” Stafford said with a laugh.
Beyond golf, The Rose could play an increasingly important role in Georgia athletics. In an era defined by NIL opportunities, donor engagement and recruiting advantages, Smart sees value in a destination that brings alumni, supporters and potential contributors together.
“It’s great when you get a place that people can go out and have fun, enjoy, relax and socialize,” Smart said. “Sometimes that ties in more energy, more enthusiasm toward the program.”
For Smart, golf provides a rare opportunity to step away from the daily demands of coaching while still fostering the relationships that help sustain a championship program.
And for the Cassini brothers, The Rose represents something larger than golf: a lasting legacy in Athens.
As Georgia football continues to chase championships, The Rose may become another unexpected asset in the Bulldogs’ pursuit of staying on top.