Grand Rapids Reporter

Kamryn Shannon, a senior on the Ferris State Bulldogs women’s golf team, has emerged as a standout player during the 2025 season. Shannon began her final collegiate year by setting a new school record at the UIndy Fall Invite in Henryville, Indiana, after overcoming a difficult first round. “Breaking the school record at our first tournament was definitely my proudest moment this fall,” she said. “It was at Champions Pointe, and after a rough first round (+6, 78), I came back strong with a 67 (-5) in round two. It was amazing to bounce back like that and prove to myself that I can stay composed and turn things around.”

Shannon started playing golf only as a freshman in high school in Jackson, Michigan. She credits her grandfather for motivating her initial interest: “I decided to try golf to make my grandpa happy and to earn a varsity letter quickly as a freshman,” she said. After early encouragement from others who saw her potential, she began playing summer tournaments and working at a golf course. By her junior year of high school, she won the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 State Championship.

During her college career, Shannon has collected several honors, including Women’s Golf Coaches Association East Region Team recognition and All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) first-team honors. One highlight for Shannon came last season when Ferris State returned to the NCAA Division II National Championships for the first time in 16 years.

Reflecting on her collegiate achievements, Shannon cited winning the Bulldog Fall Classic during her junior year as especially meaningful: “My proudest moment would definitely be winning the Bulldog Fall Classic last year,” she said. “Winning for the first time in college is something I’ll remember forever and doing it at our home event with so much support around made it even more special.” She also noted that sharing that win with teammate Hallie Crozier gave it added significance.

Crozier received the Women’s Golf Coaches Association’s Kim Moore Spirit Award earlier this year but faced serious health challenges after an unexpected medical emergency last October led to major surgery and ongoing rehabilitation. Despite these difficulties, Crozier continues to inspire Shannon: “Right now, it’s Hallie. We’ve always shared the same dreams and seeing her stay strong through her recovery has been so inspiring,” Shannon said.

Shannon set several goals for herself this season—among them beating her previous tied school record of 68 strokes in competition, winning tournaments, and improving specific aspects of her game such as wedge play. So far this fall, she has achieved two of those goals by breaking the school record at Champions Pointe and securing victory at Findlay’s Beall Fall Classic following a six-hole playoff.

Over four years with Ferris State University, Shannon has consistently contributed to team success—including being part of GLIAC championship teams—and earned both athletic and academic distinctions such as WGCA Academic All-American honors.

Looking ahead, Shannon hopes to pursue professional opportunities within golf while also aiming to start a foundation supporting junior golfers from low-income backgrounds: “My dream job has always been to start a foundation that helps junior golfers and athletes from low-income families chase their dreams… Before that, I plan to go through the PGA Associate route to earn my PGA card.”

The Ferris State Bulldogs women’s golf team will conclude its fall schedule at the St. Leo Invitational in Dade City, Florida from October 20-21.