The Skagit Valley Herald’s golfers of the year have a lot in common.

They both go to Burlington-Edison, they both placed in the top 10 at their Class 2A state tournaments and they were both team leaders despite being sophomores.

Boys’ Golf

Sam Johnson, so., Burlington-Edison

Johnson got hooked on golf at about age 3 when his grandmother put a club in his hand. He couldn’t swing the club without tipping over.

“I never stop (playing),” Johnson said. “It’s a sport that rewards work ethic. How much effort you put in, it shows on the course.”

He’s swinging the club a lot better these days.

Johnson has qualified for the Class 2A state tournament twice, following up his 33rd-place finish in 2008 with a fifth-place finish this year.

As a sophomore, he had a two-day total 144, shooting both rounds at even-par 72.

It was a strong finish to a year that didn’t look too promising early on.

“At the start of the year, I struggled like crazy,” Johnson said. “At the end I put up better numbers.”

“Last year you could see some physical talent,” Tigers coach Charlie Herzberg said. “He’s probably one of the most physically talented young players. He has a really athletic swing. He gathered some attention last year. He’s grown up a lot in one year and the scores have shown that.”

Girls’ Golf

Lauren Atkinson, so., Burlington-Edison

The top players on the Burlington-Edison girls’ golf team were close on the scoreboard throughout the year.

Yet there was never any doubt who Tigers coach Greg Knutzen was going to write into the No. 1 slot.

“She was the anchor,” Knutzen said. “She was the one constant. You put her name in there and knew she would do well.”

And when the Class 2A state tournament concluded, Atkinson was the top Burlington-Edison finisher, coming in eighth with a 165 and leading the Tigers to a second-place team finish.

“State was pretty good,” Atkinson said. “I was hoping to do a little better, but I have two years still.”

That is the most encouraging part, Knutzen said.

“She works really hard, puts in a lot of time outside the season,” he said. “Everything that has come to her has come because of her work ethic. She works hard for what she’s gotten.”

Eric Francis can be reached at 360-416-2131 or by e-mail at

Skagit Valley Herald All-Area Boys’ Golf Team

Golfer Yr. School
Brennan Emory Fr. MV
Bryce Hobbs Jr. MV
Sam Johnson So. B-E
Phil Reedy Sr. OH
Shane Stoupa Sr. B-E

Skagit Valley Herald All-Area Girls’ Golf Team

Golfer Yr. School
Jackie Afualo Sr. Stan.
Lauren Atkinson So. B-E
Kirsten Dalgliesh Sr. B-E
Rachel Erickson Sr. B-E
Rindy McLennan Sr. S-W