Wolfpack golfers remembered

Athletes claimed their trophies at the Greenbrier High School spring sports banquet, but the evening belonged to a pair of Wolfpack golfers whose lives were claimed in a traffic accident during the 2003 season.

Daniel Hall and Shane Williams were traveling to a prep golf match on April 15 when the tragedy occurred.

Last week's sports banquet could have been a somber affair, and in some ways it was.

Greenbrier golf-team members and their families gathered before the event, and their emotions were evidenced by heartfelt embraces.

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Just seeing Dan and Angela Hall and Nick and Sharon Williams without their sons made teardrops fall.

It was gut-wrenching when still-grieving family members accepted their dearly-departed's varsity letters and other mementos during the banquet. Daniel's younger brother, Christopher, carried out that honorable duty, as Nick and Sharon did for Shane.

Through it all, Clint Woodfin found a way to make everyone smile again.

The 24-year-old Greenbrier golf coach took the podium and delivered a speech that put the 2003 campaign in perspective.

"As far as I'm concerned, Coach Woodfin handled his part like someone who has been in the coaching profession for 20 years," Greenbrier athletic director Mickey Derrick said.

Woodfin opened by thanking the Greenbrier golf parents for their unwavering support. He talked of the tremendous expectations the Wolfpack had for the 2003 season, and of how the players had become like members of his family.

"This year is something that I won't forget," he said. "I'm honored to be up here and privileged to be a part of this golf team."

The coach never specifically mentioned the fatal accident, but he did touch on its aftermath, and how the memory of Hall and Williams inspired the Pack to win the Region 3-AAAA tournament.

But Greenbrier didn't win region. The pressure was too much, and though the team settled for fourth place, they are champions to their coach.

"At the region tournament, we played under tremendously hard circumstances," Woodfin said. "We gave it our best. I was so proud of those boys after that tournament. They were disappointed in themselves, and I told them that no one could have played under the conditions you faced.

"It was a season of ups and downs, but more importantly, the whole team pulled together. There's a bond with the players and the families that will last a very long time."

Then Woodfin handed out varsity letters to each individual, and as the players came forward, the coach offered anecdotes and praise for every member of the Pack.

Matthew Barman accepted his letter, but Michael Barman did not. The Barmans were injured in the April 15 accident, and Michael is still hospitalized.

When Woodfin described Daniel Hall and Shane Williams, he spoke in the present tense.

"This is someone who knows the fine line between right and wrong, on the golf course and in the classroom," Woodfin said of Hall. "He was one of the players that didn't qualify for the Vidalia High School tournament, but he was down there walking the course. He said he was taking notes for next year, but he didn't have any paper. He said, 'It's in my head."'

Later, Woodfin continued: "This next person exemplifies perseverance, someone that works hard everyday and has a passion for the game. When he came out to the golf course, he brightened everyone's day. He contributed so much - Shane Williams."

Hall and Williams also were honored when individual awards were announced.

The Low Medalist trophy went to Will Rogers, and was presented in memory of Daniel Hall, while Eric Wagner earned the Wolfpack Award, presented in memory of Shane Williams.

For Woodfin, the good memories will live on.

"Thirty or 40 years from now, hopefully when I'm still in the profession of teaching and coaching, when someone asks the question, 'What's the toughest team you've ever coached?' Without question, it's going to be the 2003 Greenbrier golf team."