By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Three Tulalip Heritage golfers are headed to Spokane after battling through harsh weather conditions and rising above the pressure-packed atmosphere of the WIAA 1B Tri-District Tournament.
Competing on their home course at Battle Creek Golf Course, Heritage student-athletes Lilly Jefferson, William McLean, and Mylo Kane each punched their ticket to the State Tournament in Spokane next week. With steady rain falling throughout the day, testing every swing, chip, and putt, the young golfers showcased poise well beyond their years.
Freshman phenom Mylo Kane led the Heritage contingent with an impressive 6th place finish overall. Junior William McLean earned alternate status after another strong outing, while Lilly Jefferson extended her senior season with a 19th place finish in the girls division. Each placing proved good enough to qualify for State, marking another milestone for the still young Heritage golf program.
For Heritage golfers, the achievement represents the continued growth of a program rooted in community vision and Native representation in a sport that historically hasn’t been accessible to Indigenous youth.
“It’s a passion of mine to get Indigenous youth into golf because as a sport it’s still very undeveloped and lacking in minority participation,” said Heritage golf coach Dinesha Kane. “Nationally, Indigenous youth are underserved and don’t have a good presence in the sport of golf. Now that Heritage has it’s own golf program, our goals are to grow it by getting more participation and to prove to our youth that even if they’ve never played before, us coaches are here to teach and train them.”
To Dinesha’s point, it was only three years ago that Heritage golf became a reality. Prior to that, it was a fluttering dream. The idea for the program came directly from Tulalip youth leader and golfer Lincoln Pablo, whose dream of creating opportunities for Native student athletes forever changed the athletic landscape at Heritage. During the spring of 2023, Lincoln helped spearhead the school’s inaugural golf season after recognizing there were talented Tulalip youth eager to compete on the links but lacking a formal high school outlet.
Lincoln met with school leadership, worked alongside Battle Creek Golf Course officials, developed schedules, and advocated tirelessly for the creation of the team. His vision quickly became reality.
Now, only a few short years later, the program he helped establish is sending multiple golfers to State. Even more remarkably, Lincoln himself continues carving his own path in the sport. The former Heritage golfer now plays collegiate golf for Bethany College in West Virginia, proving that opportunities beyond the Reservation are attainable for Tulalip athletes willing to dedicate themselves to the game.
His influence still resonates throughout the Heritage golf program. Every Heritage golfer who tees off today walks through a door Lincoln helped open.
That legacy was visible all across Battle Creek during Tri-District play as Heritage golfers navigated slick fairways, soaked greens, and difficult pin placements while competing against some of the best 1B golfers in the region. The familiarity of playing on their home course certainly helped, but mental discipline ultimately became the difference maker.
Golf has long been described as a sport that is “90 percent mental and 10 percent physical,” requiring athletes to remain composed under pressure while battling both opponents and themselves.
For freshman Mylo Kane, calm confidence proved crucial during his breakout performance. Competing against older and more experienced golfers, he remained steady throughout the tournament to secure a top ten finish and State qualification in his first Tri-District appearance as an official high schooler.
“I’m excited and nervous,” admitted Mylo prior to his hole one tee shot. “I always get this rush of adrenaline right before a round of golf. That’s how I know it’s go time.”
Always within his line of sight was Mylo’s father and Heritage assistant coach, J.T. Kane. “I’m just so elated to see my son’s hard work paying off in such a big way already. It’s a daddy-lation that I can’t really put into words…I just couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Teeing off shortly after Mylo was his teammate on the boys side, William McLean. The Heritage junior demonstrated silent composure while grinding through difficult conditions to earn alternate status. Meanwhile, senior Lilly Jefferson showcased leadership and determination in qualifying for State on a day she was both warding off sickness and mourning the recent loss of a family member.
“It’s an amazing experience to watch your child develop her own dreams and then put in the time and hard work necessary to achieve them,” shared Lilly’s mom, Shawnee Sheldon. “As a strong Indigenous woman, she makes her family and Tribe so proud.”
“I joined the golf team my sophomore year because it sounded like fun. I never played before, but the team was new and the opportunity to learn to play sounded like a good challenge for me,” reflected Lilly. “I practiced with the boys a lot because I’ve been the only girl on the team the past two years. I think practicing with them pushed me to become better.”
The success Mylo, William, and Lilly have experienced on the golf course prove that our Tulalip youth can and do excel in sports beyond basketball, football, and volleyball. For far too long Tulalip athletes have been underrepresented in golf due to barriers involving cost, access, equipment, and course availability. Programs like Heritage golf are helping challenge those realities by introducing local youth to a sport capable of opening collegiate, professional, and lifelong opportunities.
Golf is unique because it extends beyond competition. It teaches patience, accountability, discipline, emotional control, and personal growth. It is also one of the few sports people can continue playing throughout their entire lives.
William’s father, veteran’s coordinator Bill McLean III, has been an avid golfer for decades. He’s played in tournaments near and far, routinely traveling out of state with his clubs in tow. His daughter Tieriana played on the inaugural Heritage team in 2023.
“Heritage golf has been everything I’ve wanted and more for my kids,” said Bill. “My daughter received college offers because of her golf game, and now I’m hoping my son does, too. Since joining the team, he’s grown so much as a player and a young man. I’ve watched him become more confident and really find a sense of belonging in golf.”
That broader perspective shared by Bill and coach Dinesha remains central to the Heritage golf philosophy. What started as one Tulalip’s dream has evolved into a pathway for younger generations to chase scholarships, explore collegiate athletics, and proudly represent Native excellence in spaces where our athletes have historically been overlooked.
Now, the trio of Tulalip golfers will carry that vision forward. From the rain-soaked greens of Battle Creek to Spokane’s State Tournament stage, Heritage golfers continue proving they belong.
And somewhere in West Virginia, the founder of it all is undoubtedly smiling as the program he built keeps growing, one swing at a time.