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   In a sport where players stand alone on the fairway, true leadership can be hard to spot. But anyone who’s been around the WHA (Walker-Hackensack-Akeley) golf team knows: Head Coach Carrie Johnson’s leadership is unmistakable, and now, it’s Hall of Fame-worthy.

   On June 10-11, the MSHSL Boys and Girls State Section A Golf Tournament was held at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, where both Walker’s teams competed. The boys team won the championship – a goal they have worked to achieve since their first state appearance in 60 years in 2016, when they got 7th. Since then, they have had multiple state appearances, and took 2nd back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. The girls team took home 7th place, an impressive feat for their first state qualification ever – after over a decade without a full team. Capping off the season with individual honors were junior Maverick Reed, who tied for fourth place, senior Parker Brock earned a share of eighth, and senior Kianna Johnson brought home a seventh-place tie.

The 2025 WHA golf team showed up during the state tournament at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, bringing home first and seventh place. Back row: Coach Jeremy Madina, Maverick Reed, Gus Pedersen, Lake Elling, Parker Brock, Michael Dascalos, Logan Felton, Coach Carrie Johnson.

Front row: Natalee Gardner, Olivia Koch, Kianna Johnson, Haylie Brock, Addisyn Lissick, Elaina Dascalos.

   The day after the state tournament, players and coaches from across Minnesota gathered for the annual banquet. As awards were handed out, the night ended on a high note for WHA when Carrie Johnson was inducted into the Minnesota Golf Coaches Hall of Fame, a recognition of her decades of dedication to the sport and her students.

   Since Johnson began her coaching career in 1993, the boys team has won 14 Northern Pines Conference Championships, sub section championships in 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2003, section championships in 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and sent 24 individual qualifiers to state, with one champion in 2024. The girls team has won 11 Northern Pines Conference Championships and has had two individual state qualifiers.

   Carrie was introduced to the sport early, her father owned Tianna Country Club and was the head golf coach at WHA. In high school, her and some friends started the girls golf team. When her father stepped away from coaching, she took the reigns in 1993. Johnson is a familiar face to anyone who has strolled the fairways of Tianna after working for decades at the course. 

   In an individual sport like golf, leadership looks quite a bit different than locker room pep talks and half-time rallies. In Carrie’s terms, coaching means “doing everything you can to help your students succeed,” on and off the course. This includes working on strategy, taking time out of practice to work with individuals and even asking for help. Many head coaches take responsibility for everything and make all of the decisions, but Carrie holds the opposite belief with her team. “I could never do it alone, and why would I want to?... There is always someone that knows more than you, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

   Carrie frequently delegates responsibility to her older students, having them run practices and involve the younger players. During the 2025 season, the team was short a coach. Where many teams would struggle without a leader, students stepped up without hesitation to teach and hold each other accountable. Giving kids a chance to hold their own, prove themselves and guide their peers builds confidence, connection and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. Carrie doesn’t just coach — she cultivates. With patience and care, she helps her athletes take root, grow strong, and thrive. 

Carrie Johnson, WHA golf coach of 32 years and counting, was inducted into the Minnesota Golf Coaches Hall of Fame on June 12, 2025. Celebrating the honor (L–R) are Carrie’s niece Elizabeth Cardenuto, Carrie Johnson, and her sisters Colleen Cardenuto and Shelly Johnson.

   Johnson sets high expectations for her athletes — not just in how they play, but in how they carry themselves. She teaches her students to be polite, respectful, and kind both on and off the course, emphasizing that being a joy to play with matters just as much as shooting low scores. During our conversation, she grew emotional recalling moments when parents of opposing players approached her to compliment her team’s sportsmanship. They described her golfers as helpful, well-mannered, and genuinely kind — and to Carrie, that’s the highest praise a coach can receive.

   But, at the end of the day, a great team is made from kids and parents stepping up, taking the time and putting in the hard work for success. In golf, it is very easy to get caught up in your head and focus on yourself. In the process of being coached, each one of them has become a leader in their own right. This is shown best in the boy’s team motto, “Rain or shine, we grind.” 

   So, what separates a good leader from a great one? In Carrie’s case, it’s passion and love — a deep passion for the game of golf, and a genuine love for seeing others succeed. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone so proud of kids who aren’t her own. She spoke about how lucky she feels to be surrounded by supportive parents and a community that backs her and her team. Her positivity is constant, the kind that makes you believe in what you’re doing, just because she does.

   Carrie has no plans to slow down. She’ll keep sharing the gift of golf with her team, and with the girls eyeing a state championship, there’s still more to chase. Off the course, you’ll find her soaking up the sun on the pontoon with her puppy, Emma, her sisters and her family, savoring the small joys that keep her grounded. The Hall of Fame honor is meaningful, no doubt, but for Carrie, the real reward has always been the game, the kids, and the community she gets to share it with.

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