FLORENCE, Ala. (July 2, 2024) – Carter Goodwin hasn't missed a beat.
 
Perhaps the most decorated golfer in the University of North Alabama Division I era, Goodwin continues to thrive in the golf world. Goodwin finished his collegiate career with the Lions in 2023 and went on to become a graduate assistant at UNA this past season.
 
Although he's in the coaching world nowadays, the Hoover, Ala. native can still hover in the 60s. Goodwin proved that this past weekend at the 58th Daikin Spirit of America Golf Tournament, where he shot 15-under-par 269 to win by four strokes.
 
Goodwin led after two rounds after shooting a 67 in round one and a low round of 65 on day two, which put him at -10 on the Par 71 course. He kept the lead in the final two rounds with a 70 in round three and a brilliant finish of 67 in the final round.
 
"It felt amazing to get the win," said Goodwin. "That's the crazy thing about this game we play — more often than not, you're not going to win. Anytime you can win is incredible. And to win a tournament that I've played so many times and to finally win it at the bookend of my amateur career is very rewarding."
 
Now, the former Lion golfer has his eyes on going pro.
 
Goodwin was supposed to start on the Emarald Coast Golf Tour two weeks ago to solidify his professional status, but the tournament was abruptly canceled a few days before the event. He then made a phone call and landed a slot in the Daikin Spirit of America at Burningtree Country Club in Decatur — a tournament and course he's played in many times before.
 
It worked out perfect.
 
Prior to this summer, Goodwin played in the tournament five other times, finishing as high as sixth. The sixth time proved to be the charm. Not only did he win, but he sharpened his skills in the process. He also played in two other tournaments this summer.
 
"Because I've been coaching for the past 10 months or so, I have been out of competition that whole time," Goodwin explained. "So now, I need to get as many reps as possible to get back into competitive form before starting Q-school (qualifying school) in September."
 
Like many successful golfers at the college and professional ranks, Goodwin started at a young age.
 
"I probably started at seven years old and played in my first tournament when I was nine," said Goodwin. "When I was younger, I was playing both golf and baseball, but when middle school came around, I had to make a choice — and I chose golf. When it comes to golf, I enjoy practicing just as much as competing. That's how you know you're in love with the game."
 
That turned out to be a solid choice.
 
Goodwin prepped at Spain Park High School and helped the Jaguars win an Alabama State Championship in 2016 and played a key role in a runner-up finish in 2018. In that 2018 Class 7A State Championship, Goodwin and the Jaguars went toe-to-toe with eventual state champion Mountain Brook. He competed with the likes of teammate Nick Dunlap and Mountain Brook's Goefon Sargent, who are both notorious in the golf world. Dunlap became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson, while Sargent won the 2022 NCAA Championship as a freshman at Vanderbilt.
 
"We all grew up within 15 miles of each other and competed a lot growing up, which is really cool," Goodwin said. "I think the junior golf in the state of Alabama is underrated. There were so many Division I college golfers that came from that 2018 state tournament alone, and that happened right down the road at RTJ (Robert Trent Jones in Colbert County, Ala.)."
 
He went on to Wallace State for three seasons, earning a pair of PING All-American honorable mentions and two NJCAA National Championship appearances. His second season in Hanceville came during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"In a weird way, the pandemic is how I ended up at UNA," he said. "Before the pandemic, I was planning to leave Wallace State after my second year to go to Appalachian State. But instead, I decided to stay at Wallace and finish my junior college career. In the aftermath of COVID, I knew I wanted to be closer to home and stay in the state. North Alabama was clearly the best option for me."
 
He then joined the North Alabama roster in 2021 and played two seasons for the Lions. He is one of six Lions to have won a tournament as an individual in six seasons of Division I, earning medalist honors at the Grover Page Classic where he dominated a 16-team field with a card of 71, 68, 68 to finish nine-under-par 207.
 
Goodwin also owns the highest individual finish for UNA in an Atlantic Sun Conference Championship as he finished tied for second in 2022 with a three-under-par 213 score. In that tournament, he fired off the second-lowest round in Division I program history with a 66 in the second round. In fact, Goodwin owns both of the lowest second-round scores in Division I era, as he matched that in the 2021 Georgia State Invitational.
 
"I am so appreciative of the University of North Alabama and the athletic department for what it has allowed me to achieve in my golf career," Goodwin said. "Being here the last three years and earning my bachelor's and master's degree has solidified my love for North Alabama and for Florence. I am forever a massive North Alabama fan."
 
As a coach, Goodwin assisted The Schmitz Family Head Men's Golf Coach Austin Phillips in his first season at the helm. The duo helped UNA win a pair of tournaments this past season and had two Lions tie for individual medalist honors at the Savannah Intercollegiate — John Logan and Sebastian Bengtsson.
 
"I'm happy to see Carter is playing well," said Phillips. "He is a big part of this program, first as a player and then as a coach. I'm excited to see the start of his pro career and can't wait to see his future."
 
The next step for Goodwin? It is safe to say golf is in the picture.
 
"It's time to start my journey of being a professional golfer and chasing my dream of being on the PGA Tour," Goodwin said. "I obviously could not achieve all of this without the support of my family and coaches."
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.