The Dooleys have over nine lush acres of gardens surrounding their beautiful home. Approximately 130 magnolias, 130 Japanese maples, 130 camellias, 150 hydrangeas, and another couple of hundred plants, bushes, and trees are thriving here. Since retiring from coaching in 1988, Coach Vince Dooley has personally planted about 750 of them. Coach Dooley attributes this gardening venture late in life to taking advantage of the opportunity of continuing education by living around the University of Georgia for the last 57 years. Along with his horticulture mentors Dr. Michael Dirr and Dr. Alan Armitage, “I am still learning” is a quote from Michelangelo at age 87 that continues to inspire Coach Dooley.
Photos by Matt Brewster, Marigold Solutions