Par-tee time: Braves golfer celebrated for second straight State tourney berth

A La Conner High School senior golfer has used her short game to go a long way for a second straight season.

Addison Keller, whose strengths are putting and chipping and an even temperament, qualified for the 2026 Girls State 2B Golf Tournament on May 19 and 20, returning to Liberty Lake near Spokane where she competed a year ago.

Keller secured a spot in this year’s field by placing fifth with an 18-hole score of an even 100 at Northwest 2B Tri-District trials at Battle Creek Golf Course in Tulalip on Wednesday.

“Addi’s been super consistent,” said La Conner head golf coach Galen McKnight. “Her putting and chipping have been really good. She’s been practicing a lot on those.”

McKnight was impressed by how well Keller played in the driving rain at Battle Creek, noted for its elevation changes, water hazards and bunkers.

“It was really tough weather,” McKnight said, “but Addi stayed very level-headed.”

Keller narrowly missed out on her pre-round goal of carding a sub-100 score.

“She really wanted to finish under 100,” McKnight said, “but still had her best score by five strokes.”

McKnight said that Keller, as a returning State golfer, has shown more confidence in 2026 with her swing and club selections.

“She’s developing a really good feel for judging which club to use for certain distances on the course,” McKnight said.

Keller’s success comes as little surprise. She has enjoyed a splendid senior year.

Last fall, as a libero and defensive specialist, Keller was an integral part of the La Conner High volleyball team that qualified for State 2B Tournament action in Yakima.

Recognized for her strong passing and back-row leadership, Keller was named the Skagit Valley Herald Athlete of the Week in late October after recording seven digs and an ace in a straight-sets league victory over Friday Harbor and 13 digs and an ace in a three-set sweep of Orcas Island.

“She’s a really steady, consistent student-athlete,” La Conner Middle and High School Principal/Director of Athletics Christine Tripp said of Keller. “She shows up for everything, always ready to give her best effort.”

Tripp and La Conner Middle and High School Administrative Assistant Sheena Jones said that’s the case with Keller whether in the classroom, which includes her vet tech studies at the Northwest Career & Technical Academy, or the athletic arena.

“You never hear anything negative said about her,” Jones said.

“She’s a really great kid,” Tripp added. “We’re excited for her making it to State again.”

As a junior in the 2025 tourney, Keller placed 42nd out of 60 entrants with a score of 116, just a half dozen strokes over the cut mark. Her recent round at Battle Creek reflected an impressive 16 stroke improvement.

Keller left Sunday morning for Spokane and a Monday practice round on the challenging Liberty Lake course, which features large greens and white sand bunkers, ahead of opening round play on Tuesday.

“It’s a tough course, but if she can be around 100 on Tuesday, she has a good shot to get to Wednesday’s second round,” McKnight said.

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.