STATESBORO - Georgia Southern men's golf coach Carter Collins announced the signing of Georgia standout Trace Carter to an aid agreement on Wednesday, who will join the program as a freshman in fall of 2025.

Carter, who hails from Blackshear and has a perfect 4.0 GPA at Ware County High, is ranked the No. 6 player in the state of Georgia by juniorgolfscoreboard and is the 84th player in the class of 2025 nationally by the same outlet. A two-time Georgia 5A state champion, Carter also tied for first at the 2024 Georgia PGA Junior Championship.

Trace Carter
Blackshear, Ga. • Ware County HS

Athletic Achievements:
Ranked #6 in Georgia (juniorgolfscoreboard)
Ranked #84 in the Country (Class of 2025, juniorgolfscoreboard)
-3.85 Stroke Differential (juniorgolfscoreboard)
Winner | 2024 5A State Champion 64-66 (-14), won by 10 strokes
Winner | 2023 5A State Champion 68-71 (-5), won by 3 strokes
T1 | 2024 Georgia PGA Junior Championship 73-71-68
Winner | 2024 Jack Oliver Amateur Championship 74-67-68 (-7), youngest winner in history of event
Winner | 2024 David A. Wall Memorial Junior Championship
Winner | 2023 David A. Wall Memorial Junior Championship
Winner | 2022 David A. Wall Memorial Junior Championship
62 | Course record at Quitman Country Club
61 | Course record at Laura S. Walker Country Club
67 | Course record at Valdosta Country Club
National Runner-Up | 2022 Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta National Golf Club
6th | 2024 AJGA Atlanta Open
14th | 2024 Future Masters
14th | 2024 GSGA State Junior Championship
3rd | 2024 FJT Florida State, Major Championship

High School: Played for Coach Tony Wheeler at Ware County High • A scholar athlete and National Beta member.

Personal: Born Royce Everett Carter III on Sept. 6, 2006 in Blackshear, GA • The son of Lauren and Rhett Carter • Mother attended Georgia Southern • Has two siblings, Coast and Sofie. 

Intended Major: Business

A Few Words From Coach Carter Collins:
"I am very excited that Trace will be joining our program in the Fall of 2025. He is an outstanding young man and has had tremendous success in his junior and amateur golf career so far. Trace has an opportunity to make an immediate impact on our program in many areas. Anytime we can sign a South Georgia Player with the accolades he has accumulated on the golf course and in the classroom, we have a lot to be excited about! Hail Southern!!"