Greg Nugent paced the Country Creek Golf Course clubhouse Sunday in Franklin, trading between his position as general manager of the course designed by the Masters’ second-place finisher Kenny Perry and supporter of a close friend.

Perry’s quest to become the oldest Masters champion in the 75-year history of golf’s magical major tournament was winding down.

“We’ve been on pins and needles these past four days,” Nugent said. “It’s very close.”

At the time, the 48-year old Perry had taken a one-stroke lead over competitor Angel Cabrera.

Hours later, the Western Hall of Famer who lettered on the golf team from 1979-82 would bogey two straight holes, lose the lead and finish second to Cabrera in a two-hole playoff that left Perry short of his father’s constant request.

“Dad has always said, ‘You need to win that green jacket,’” Perry said on Friday at the Masters. “He always calls me and tells me.”

Perry attributes much of his success to the push his father Ken gave him as a child, growing as a person. It’s positioned Perry to fill the “good guy” role in the community and on the course.

The pushing, Perry says, is what makes him the man he is today.

“He was relentless. He was ruthless. He was a smart man,” Perry said. “He knew it was going to make me tough. That’s all he was trying to do.”

Ken and Kenny’s relationship blossomed on the golf course, where Kenny can remember his dad teeing balls up one after another while plumes of smoke billowed from his father’s cigar. The course was where son and insurance salesman bonded the most.

“I still smell the cigar, the grass,” Perry said. “Any time I catch a whiff of that, my dad instantly comes to me.”

Now, Nugent said, their father-son relationship has grown and matured.

“His dad doesn’t push him any more, but he does motivate him,” Nugent said. “Kenny wants to do well for his father.”

And well he has done.

Perry took it upon himself to qualify for last year’s Ryder Cup, skipping the majority of the major tournaments to participate in events where he typically performed well. Although he was criticized, Perry’s strategy worked out, as he brought the President’s Cup back to the United States in his home state of Kentucky.

Ken and Kenny are slated to be grand marshals during the week of the Kentucky Derby – more for his hometown victory at the Ryder Cup than the second-place finish at Augusta last weekend.

Perry has taken a role as a community leader and representative for residents of Franklin, Dave Kitchens said. Kitchens was one of the many coming and going from the Country Creek clubhouse Sunday.

“Kenny gives a lot to charity,” Kitchens said. “He’s a role model to all the kids. When Kenny is winning or if he’s close to the top, everyone’s always flying in and asking for an update.”

The Kentucky Derby runs on the first Saturday in May, and although Perry won’t have a green jacket to wear, he’ll be representing Franklin, Western and his family.

At 48, he said he isn’t not looking to stop any time soon.

“I love the game,” Perry said. “You just keep going.”

Even after losing, Perry said he expected to have a good conversation with his father on Sunday night.

“You know what? He just feels sorry for me,” Perry said. “He just wanted me to win. I know it with all his heart – he wants the best for me just like I want the best for my kids.”