Southwind Plantation’s legacy of philanthropy work for Bainbridge Athletics

Published 2:19 pm Wednesday, July 30, 2025

In Bainbridge, Georgia, sports aren’t just games—they’re a way of life, with football leading the charge but baseball diamonds sharing the spotlight. And few people embody that spirit more than Tim Smith, owner of Southwind Plantation, whose deep-rooted commitment to the local athletic community has helped shape generations of Bearcats.

“We always give back to our community,” Smith said. “My whole family’s been involved with athletics in school. We’ve always supported our local Bearcats.”

Smith’s generosity isn’t just talk—it’s tradition. Years ago, alongside friends Joe Rich, Jimmy Harrell, a pillar of the Bainbridge community, Harrell built Southwest Georgia Oil Company from the ground up and once served as president of the local Rotary Club.  Ray Inlow—former president of the Bainbridge Quarterback Club and a walk-on for FSU’s national championship football team in the early 1950s—and Claude Shirley. All helped launch the Century Club, a fundraising initiative aimed at supporting Bainbridge High School athletics. 

One of their first major projects was building a new field house for the Bearcats, a dream that became reality thanks to their collective efforts.

“That field house was a great project,” Smith recalled. “We didn’t have one at the time, and we knew the team needed it. That Century Club deal still exists today.”

Southwind Plantation has become a hub for community events, especially those celebrating Bainbridge’s athletes. Each year, Smith hosts Bearcat Day for the football and baseball teams, offering them a chance to relax, fish, and enjoy a good meal. Year after year, Southwind has stepped up to support the Bearcats, raising and donating $12,000 annually to cover game-day costs and other team needs.

“We’ve fed the Bearcats a couple of times through Coach Littleton,” Smith said. “And we’re excited about Coach Walls and wishing him well in his new endeavor.”

The baseball team has also benefited from Southwind’s generosity. This past spring, they raised $13,000 through a program hosted at the plantation, with Smith and his team ensuring the funds went directly back to the athletes.

“We basically give the money back to the team,” Smith explained. “They disperse it wherever it’s needed: food, gear, whatever helps them compete at a high level.”

Smith’s support extends beyond Bainbridge. He’s long been involved with Florida State University athletics, dating back to Coach Bobby Bowden’s era. He’s a platinum-level booster and close friends with current head coach Mike Norvell. Only a week ago, Coach Norvell brought 30 of Florida State’s top team leaders to Southwind Plantation for a leadership retreat filled with fishing, camaraderie, and a classic Southern-style dinner.

“We’re constantly trying to give back,” Smith said. “Southwind’s a special place, and we want people to see what Bainbridge has to offer.”

Folks are taking notice. Last year alone, nearly 6,000 guests, many from out of town, visited Southwind Plantation. From its modest beginnings, it’s grown into a welcoming haven with 13 lodges and room for 85 guests. For more than three decades, Smith has poured his heart into building a place that not only showcases Georgia’s rich outdoor heritage, over the past 35 years, they’ve acquired land, built relationships, and created a destination that showcases the best of Georgia’s outdoors. From quail and deer hunts to early-release duck shoots and world-class fishing. 

But Southwind is more than a hunting lodge. It’s a place for families. Each year, the plantation hosts a kids’ camp that teaches outdoor skills to children who might not otherwise have the chance.

“About 90% of the kids come back the next year,” Smith said proudly. “We’re building something that lasts. These kids grow up to be hunters, and we’re preserving what God created.”

Southwind isn’t just about hunting—it’s a gateway to Bainbridge. Visitors come for the lodge and stay for the town, exploring its revitalized downtown, enjoying homegrown restaurants, and experiencing the warmth of small-town Georgia.

“We’re team players,” Smith said. “We want everybody to be successful. Bainbridge is a family, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Marking its 25th anniversary, Smith is launching a new line of branded gear—shirts, hats, and quail-themed apparel, further cementing the plantation’s place in Bainbridge’s identity. And with big football games like Alabama vs. Florida State on the horizon, Southwind is preparing to host fans for game-day staycations, complete with dinner, lodging, and potentially a bus to Doak Campbell Stadium, where the Seminoles will host the Crimson Tide for the first time since 1991. 

“We’re excited about the new season,” Smith said. “It’s all about growing, giving back, and keeping Bainbridge strong.”