Jordan Beals and Jake Erickson will carry on an Enumclaw High tradition, recently signing letters of intent to play college golf.
Beals, a four-year letterwinner and two-time team MVP and South Puget Sound League 3A Player of the Year, will take his game to Seattle University in the fall. Erickson, a twice named EHS most improved, will be swinging a club for North Idaho College.
“They made a committment young to the sport of golf, and as freshmen to the high school golf program,” EHS coach Bob Kilmer said. “They worked hard and set their goals high.
“We’ve had a number of kids go on to play college golf,” Kilmer said. “They continue the tradition.”
The seniors, who share captain duties, made the choices before finishing their high school careers. Both, along with Hornet teammate Tyler Salsbury, will participate in the Class 3A state tournament May 25 and 26 in Richland, Wash. The pair were part of last season’s fifth-place state team.
“We’re hoping to win it, playing 1-2-3 in the group,” Erickson said referring to himself, Beals and sophomore Salsbury.
During their time at EHS, the Hornets have put together an impressive 83-11-2 record with two league championships and three district crowns.
Beals captured the team’s putting, chipping and long drive titles during that season. He was also voted the team’s most inspirational twice. He has 15 career medalist honors and is No. 5 on EHS’s all-time golfers’ list. His name is on four school records.
He picked SU for its location and familiar faces.
“I’ve been working with their golf coach for a long time and taking lessons,” Beals said of Don Rasmussen. “Seattle is a good place to be, to become a better golfer and better myself as a player.”
Seattle University brought golf back to its athletic department in 2008.
Erickson has tallied four medalist honors and is No. 13 on EHS’s all-time list with one school record. He also has a hole-in-one to his name, accomplishing the feat in September.
He is opting to spend his first two years hitting the fairways in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, rather than as a walk-on at Washington State University.
“It’s a good place to get money, and it’s a good stepping stone,” Erickson said. “I’d like to spend two years there and then go to a Division I school.”
Erickson will play for Randy Boswell, in his fifth year leading a program that also is making a return. Last year NIC qualified for the national tournament.