Friendly faceoff: KU’s Bill Self, UNC’s Roy Williams to take opposite sides at golf event

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, left, watches his drive in this 2005 file photo at Eagle Bend. Self will team up with Notah Begay to take on Roy Williams, right, in a 2003 file photo, and Randy Towner Sunday in Mayetta.

? Of all the tee shots Roy Williams has hit in five decades of playing golf, just one has dropped in the cup.

“That was in Lawrence, America,” former Kansas University/current North Carolina basketball coach Williams said of his only hole-in-one.

“The most attention I got in my life was when I made my hole-in-one and making a bunch of putts over in Kansas City before the Seniors (tour) event one year when Tom Watson and I beat George Brett and Dana Quigley,” Williams added.

The 60-year-old Williams — he aced Alvamar’s par-3, 127-yard, No. 2 hole on Aug. 22, 2001 and had five long birdie putts at the 2001 TD Waterhouse Skins Game at Tiffany Greens — is hoping to add another positive press clipping to his golf scrapbook today.

He and former Alvamar golf pro Randy Towner will take on KU basketball coach Bill Self and four-time PGA Tour winner Notah Begay in a nine-hole Celebrity Skins Game at 10 a.m., today at Firekeeper Golf Course, across the street from Prairie Band Casino and Resort.

“Yes,” the eighth-year UNC coach said with a laugh, asked, if he is going to be competitive and wants to win today’s Skins. “I mean if we are going to go and do some things, I think it’s pretty doggone important to try to do your best and I love to compete on the course. It’s the only place I get to actually compete myself. The rest of the time I’m just watching those guys in short pants running around and they do the competing.”

He’ll be competing against the man who succeeded him at KU — Bill Self.

Self, who by the way has yet to record a hole-in-one, is a 12 handicapper; Williams a 10.

“Bill hits the ball a long, long way,” Williams said. “We played together about 10 years ago in Hawaii in a Nike coaches deal. We were partners. It’s the only time I’ve played with him. I remember he hit it far and it was a lot of fun.”

Self, who is 12 years younger than Williams, says Williams flat-out is the better golfer.

“Trust me, he is a lot better player than I am,” Self said.

Asked if he wants to win badly, Self said: “No, no. Trust me, I’d love to win, but I am much more concerned if there’s a round ball and it bounces. I couldn’t care less who wins this one.”

This marks the first time Williams has been back to Kansas for an official event since his leaving to coach at his alma mater.

“It depends what you call ‘official,”’ Williams said. “I came back and saw Tyrel Reed play in high school at least twice. Kimberly (daughter) stayed in Lawrence a year after we left. We came and helped her pack up and move. As far as something duty other than recruiting, this is the first trip back.”

He was looking forward to seeing former KU football coach Terry Allen and Margey Frederick, wife of the late Bob Frederick, this weekend.

“Absolutely,” Williams said, asked if he has fond memories of his time in Kansas. “I tell everybody it was 15 great years of my life. Every time somebody at the airport says, ‘Rock Chalk,’ I said, ‘Go KU.’ So it’s an easy deal for me.”

The two coaches involved in today’s event have been part of an amazing run at KU.

Self, who is 444-151 (.746) overall as a coach, is 237-46 at KU for an .837 win percentage.

Williams, who is 638-163 (.797) overall, went 418-101 at KU for an .805 win mark.

“Make sure everybody knows mine is better, at KU at least,” Self said with a laugh. “Everybody respects the job he did in his time at KU,” Self added in a more serious tone. “I am proud of the fact he was great for KU. This should be a total, positive fun event.”

Williams is elated he’ll be playing with Towner, one of his best buddies, who is the general manager of the new Firekeeper course.

“Randy was one of the best friends I have in the whole world for 15 years and it’s been the same way for the eight years I’ve been gone,” Williams said. “It’s a fun thing to come to try to help him. I just hope the weather holds out so it’s good for the club.”

Admission is free. The public is invited.

“If you are a KU fan, what a cool deal. Two of the winningest coaches together,” Towner said. “I have one of my best buddies playing in Roy and Bill is my coach. We’ve laughed and cried with both of them. Notah is obviously the best golfer, a couple shots better than me. It’ll be obvious which is the touring player, which is the golf pro and which are basketball coaches,” Towner added with a laugh. “As coaches go, both are really good players. There’s not a big window of golf opportunity when you are a basketball coach.”

Daniels update

Jeff Goodman of FOX Sports reported on Twitter that DeAndre Daniels, a 6-foot-8 senior forward from IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., will not be attending Duke. That would leave KU and Texas as his finalists. Wednesday is the last day of the spring signing period.