But, as it turned out, Gill was the one most excited about his appearance at Friday’s third annual Open Wider golf tournament, a four-person scramble at Alvamar public golf course that benefits the Douglas County Dental Clinic.

“To me the best part is just getting to meet people and building relationships out in the community,” Gill said. “Obviously, it’s a great cause with helping more unfortunate families with dental work because we all need it.”

Friday’s round marked Gill’s first at Alvamar since moving to Lawrence. The Shawnee-based business Perceptive Software was the title sponsor of the event, and therefore Scott Coons, president and CEO, and Cary DeCamp, the company’s executive vice president, were paired to play with Gill and KU sports information director Mike Strauss in their foursome. In all, the group finished 10-under-par for the day.

“I had great company,” Gill said. “The people were the best part, not my golf game. I hit a few good ones and hit a few bad ones. My putting wasn’t very good. I hit off the tee fairly well, though, and I hit a few greens. I love to play the game, but I don’t get that much time for it, maybe eight to 10 times a year.”

That fact alone had the clinic’s board members thrilled that Gill fit their cause into his busy schedule.

“I think having him be a part of it was helpful for us in getting sponsors to participate,” said DCDC executive director Julie Branstrom. “When people heard that Turner Gill was going to be a part of it this year that was more incentive for businesses to get involved and I think it was definitely a draw for more players to come out and meet him. We were absolutely thrilled that he took time to come out and be a part of this.”

Branstrom said the non-profit community clinic made about $7,000 per tournament during the first two years of the event. Though the final numbers were not yet recorded Friday night, she said this year’s tourney surpassed that.

“It’s definitely more,” she said. “And that’s because we had Turner Gill.”

The DCDC was established in 2001 and provides reduced-fee dental care to low income, uninsured residents of the county. In 2009, the clinic served 2,873 patients.

In addition to playing in the event and handing out prizes at the dinner banquet that followed, Gill shook hands, posed for pictures and found time to chat with those who played in the event.

“I was so impressed with how he took the time to walk around at dinner and stopped and talked to people at every table,” Branstrom said. “He’s just really personable and friendly. If you didn’t know he was the KU football coach you would just think he was a regular guy.”

Of course, even with all of the tournament happenings unfolding, football was not far from Gill’s mind. Before he was finished mingling, one golfer asked how things were going with his new job.

His answer?

“Things are going good,” he said. “But I want them to be going great.”