Former WC golfers recognized at Homecoming

March 17, 2011

As part of Waycross College’s first Homecoming celebration in February, six members of the college’s 1991, 1992, and 1993 championship golf teams were recognized during halftime at the WC-Chattahoochee Tech basketball game.

Rhett Carter was a member of both the 1992 and 1993 teams. In 1992, Carter was an All-Region selection and a second team All-American. Following his time at WC, Carter graduated from Valdosta State University (VSU) with a degree in marketing.

He and wife Lauren have two children – Trace and Coast. Carter is currently employed by Signs by Joey in Waycross.

Shawn Ray Howell was a member of the 1991 and 1992 teams. A 1993 graduate of WC with a degree in business administration, Howell completed his four-year degree in business administration at Georgia Southern University.

He and wife Christy, also a WC graduate, have two sons – Connor and Benjamin. Howell is a certified public accountant with Crosby, Hendry, and Howell of Waycross.

Andy Johnson was a member of the 1992 and 1993 teams and was an All-American in 1993. After graduating from WC in 1993, Johnson received a degree in marketing from VSU.

In 1997, he co-founded Healthcare Marketing, Inc., where he is area vice president. He is also a regional employee with Ocean Equity Payment Solutions based out of Virginia.

Johnson and wife Donna will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary this June.

Rod Mitchell was a member of the 1991 team. The current director of Ware County’s Recreation Department, Mitchell studied golf club management and turf grass at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) following his time at WC.

He and wife Clemmie have three children – Benjamin, Alei, and Ali’i.

Bert Smith was a member of the 1992 and 1993 teams. He was an All-Region selection and an All-American both years and was the first player in the country to capture the national medalist honor two years in a row. Smith graduated from WC in 1993 with an associate’s degree in teacher education. He continued his studies at VSU, where he received a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics (1996), a master’s degree in secondary education (2003), and, most recently, a specialist’s degree in educational leadership (2006).

Smith and wife Becca have two sons – Sy and Lee. He is currently an assistant principal at Ware County High School.

Shawn Smith was a member of the 1991 and 1992 teams. He was a two-time region medalist, an All-Region selection, and an All-American both years (first team – 1991; third team – 1992). Smith continued his studies at VSU and is the owner of Southern Lawn Service, Inc. in Blackshear.

He and wife Connie have two children – Reid and Reegen.

Other team members who were unable to attend the recognition were Jack Aguirre (1991-1992), Rusty Branch (1993), Dru Smith (1991), Shandy Tillman (1993), and Ben Walker (1993). The teams’ head coach, Michael Krause, was also unable to attend.

Under Krause’s leadership, WC fielded its inaugural golf team in 1991. The team was primarily made up of local athletes from Waycross and the surrounding areas. According to archived media reports, utilizing local players was a high priority for Krause.

In the team’s first year, the Swamp Foxes captured the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association’s (GJCAA) Division II, Region XVII Championship and placed seventh in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) National Championship Tournament. Following that season, Krause received his first of three straight Region Coach of the Year honors.

With such a strong showing in the region and on the national stage, expectations were high for the Swamp Foxes to improve on their inaugural campaign.

In 1992, the team captured its second straight region championship and was the runner-up at the National Championship Tournament held at Jekyll Island, Ga. The Swamp Foxes finished the season ranked second in the national poll and set their sights on another successful run in 1993.

A strong nucleus returned for the 1993 season and, as a result, the team received the preseason number one ranking. WC won its third straight region title with the goal of bringing home a national championship. After intense competition, the Swamp Foxes finished in a tie for third place.

WC suspended its athletic department in 1993 after Krause accepted a position at
another institution. With the approval of the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, the college reestablished intercollegiate athletics in 2009. WC’s men’s basketball team opened its first season that November. Women’s fastpitch softball was added in 2010.

Waycross College has been a proud member of the University System of Georgia since the College’s founding in 1976.

Members of the 1991, 1992, and 1993 Waycross College golf teams were recognized during WC’s first Homecoming basketball game. (L-R): Bert Smith, Shawn Ray Howell, Shawn Smith, Andy Johnson, Rhett Carter, and Rod Mitchell.