PLAYER OF THE YEAR

RYAN WALLEN

School: Blaine

Year: Junior

What he did: Shot a two-day 154 to claim second place at the Class 2A State Tournament. ... Won the Northwest District Tournament by five strokes with a two-day 154 at Skagit Golf and Country Club. ... Won the Birger Solberg Tournament with a 4-over 76 at Bellingham Golf and Country Club. ... Shot a conference-best average of 72.7 during league matches and didn't shoot over a 74 in league play. ... An extremely composed player who has the innate ability to battle through any adversity.

Coach's quote: "I think he had a great year. He lowered his scoring average from last year. Every year at the start of the season I have my kids set goals, and I think Ryan takes that on as a challenge. He sets some pretty high goals for himself to try to achieve. He did an awesome job, and I think it's good he challenges himself in that way. I don't know (what makes him such a talent), but If I knew I'd bottle it and probably retire." - Steve Barthlow

COACH OF THE YEAR

CHAD HOIDAL

School: Mount Baker

What he did: Led Mount Baker to a Northwest District title. ... Qualified a conference and district-best five golfers for the Class 2A State Tournament. ... Helped the Mountaineers finish fourth in Northwest Conference in 2A play with an average score of 431.7. ... Coached Addison King, who tied for 32nd at state and ranked third among conference leaders with an average score of 80.0 during league matches.

SEAN MOON

School: Sehome

Year: Senior

What he did: Has been Sehome's No. 1 golfer since he began his Mariners career as a freshman. ... Fired a two-day 159 and earned a tie for eighth place at the Class 2A State Tournament. ... Finished fifth with a two-day 163 at the Northwest District Tournament. ... Shot an 84 at the Birger Solberg Tournament. ... Finished sixth in league play with a scoring average of 80.6. ... Helped Sehome place second in Northwest Conference 2A play with a team average of 426.1.

Coach's quote: "It seems weird he's finally a senior. It feels like he's been with us for seven years. He came in as a freshman and was immediately our No. 1 golfer. He's a remarkable young man, and it's been a privilege to coach someone who has so many wonderful traits. He's just a good, young man. He's a quality golfer and was always respectful to others. He's the type of person a coach and a parent would want in a young man or woman." - Stu Gorski

WILL MCCARTER

School: Sehome

Year: Junior

What he did: Surfaced onto the varsity scene and proved to be one of the top golfers in the league by the end of the season. ... Shot a two-day 169 to place 22nd at his first Class 2A State Tournament. ... Finished in a tie for second place at the Northwest District Tournament with a two-day 159. ... Shot an 88 at the Birger Solberg Tournament. ... Averaged a score of 82.1 in league matches - good enough for an eighth-place ranking. ... Helped Sehome place second in Northwest Conference 2A play with a team average of 426.1.

Coach's quote: "He had a remarkable season. Usually when we select 'most improved player' its a freshman or a sophomore who stood out, but we selected Will because he just really emerged on varsity. His first time out (at the state tournament), he got 22nd at state. He's a very hard-working and dedicated golfer. I have really been spoiled since I started coaching and teaching in the late 60s, because I keep getting young men that make me want to continue my coaching tenure." - Stu Gorski

ADDISON KING

School: Mount Baker

Year: Senior

What he did: Finished in a tie for 32nd at the Class 2A State Tournament with a two-day 177 to finish a brilliant Mount Baker golf career. ... Shot a two-day 164 to earn a tie for eighth place at the Northwest District Tournament. ... One of five Mount Baker golfers to qualify for state. ... Took seventh place at the Birger Solberg Tournament with an 83. ... Ranked third among NWC golfers with an average score of 80.0 at league matches.

Coach's quote: "Mainly he became much more mature as a golfer this season and was able to handle the pressure a lot better. In past years he might struggle after a bogey or a double bogey, but he could fight back and control his emotions this year. He also stepped into a leadership role and took over with the younger guys. He motivated them and acted like a second coach. " - Chad Hoidal

WILLY SCHOLTEN

School: Lynden Christian

Year: Junior

What he did: Displays a knack for playing his finest golf on the largest stages. ... Finished in a tie for second at the Class 1A State Tournament by firing a two-day 151. ... Won the 1A District Tournament and placed fourth with Meridian's Jackson Phillips at the 1A Tri-District Tournament with a 6-over 78. ... Took fifth place at the Birger Solberg Tournament with an 81. ... Ranked fifth among NWC golfers with an average score of 80.4 in league matches.

Coach's quote: "I think we've seen a lot of growth from him in the last year and definitely in the second half of the season where he seems to focus a little better. He's a fast learner. He has that knack (to perform well) at the bigger events. He can really focus and really grind it out. I had a number of coaches come up to me at state and admire how well he plays the game and how he grinds it out." - Dana Hagen

JACKSON PHILLIPS

School: Meridian

Year: Senior

What he did: Finished in a tie for 22nd place at the Class 1A State Tournament by shooting a two-day 165. ... Earned a fourth-place finish with Lynden Christian's Willy Scholten at the Class 1A Tri-District Tournament by shooting a 6-over 78. ... Took fourth place at the Birger Solberg Tournament with a 79. ... Ranked third among NWC golfers with an average score of 80.0 at league matches. ... Voted team Most Valuable Player.

Coach's quote: "Jackson was our Most Valuable Player. He played pretty consistent throughout the year, and he never shot much above 80. He had some good rounds that were mid-70s. He's good at all aspects of the game. Obviously there's room for improvement, but he can hit the ball a long way, and he's good with his short irons. His short game is going to be where he can score (even better)." - Nathan Vickers

TAYLOR PAUL

School: Bellingham

Year: Sophomore

What he did: Proved he'll be a force during his next two seasons playing in the Northwest Conference. ... Steadily improved as the season went on. ... Finished in a tie for 24th at his first Class 2A State Tournament with a two-day 171. ... Took 10th place at the Northwest District Tournament with a two-day 166. ... Shot an 88 at the Birger Solberg Tournament. ... Ranked 12th among NWC golfers with an average score of 83.7 in league matches.

Coach's quote: "He started his season on the slow side for him, and as the season proceeded through he seemed to get better and better. I think he was our medalist five times out of the 12 matches. It was very impressive. I expected that kind of stuff from him. I don't think he expected that from himself. (State) was a great event for him. I've been very pleased with his progression, and he's gotten better ever since I've been able to work with him." - David Bobillot

KYLE MARK

School: Lynden

Year: Junior

What he did: Helped the Lions win a Northwest Conference title with an average team score of 421.3 - four points better than second-place Lynden Christian. ... Shot a 94 on the first day of the Class 2A State Tournament and did not qualify for day two. ... Took fourth place at the Northwest District Tournament with a two-day 161. ... Ranked 11th among NWC golfers with an average score of 83.3 in league matches. ... A quiet leader on the course with a strong competitive fire.

Coach's quote: "He is an outright competitor. He had a bit of an up and down year, but I was glad he was able to get himself squared around and make it to state. He had a good districts and a mediocre state, and I think he'd be the first one to tell you that. He showed a great ability to recover this year, and that's really important in golf. He led by example and by design. He'd stay late, take extra swings and ask questions, and he really enjoyed his teammates." - Russ Dorr

HONORABLE MENTION

Player School

Weber Bartz Lynden Christian

Brock Benner Lynden

Tyler Booth Squalicum

Devan Boucher Blaine

Ben Carroll Sehome

Shane Harkness Mount Baker

Calvin Hitz Meridian

Daniel Kim Bellingham

Peter Kolodychuk Bellingham

John McGirr Lynden

Ryan Mouche Lynden

Lincoln Olson Lynden Christian

Luke Olson Lynden Christian

Mikal Olson Lynden

Brandon Paul Bellingham

Jon Schemstad Mount Baker

Jeremy Smith Squalicum

Kristjan Toivola Mount Baker

Levi Van Den Top Sehome

Drake VanderYacht Meridian

Kenny Wilson Mount Baker

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.