October 23, 2025
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
Kamryn Shannon didn’t start golfing until her freshman year of high school, taking
up the sport as a way to spend time with her grandfather.
Now, as a standout member of the Ferris State University women’s golf team, she’s
being recognized as one of the region’s top collegiate golfers — and one of the program’s
best student-athletes. Among her many highlights this season: setting a new university
record.
“I decided to try golf to make my grandpa happy and to earn a varsity letter quickly
as a freshman,” said Shannon, a senior from Jackson. “At the time, I was a four-sport
athlete, but once I started playing more and more golf, people began telling me how
much potential I had. I started taking it seriously by playing in summer tournaments
and working at a golf course.”
By her junior year of high school, Shannon captured the Michigan High School Athletic
Association Division 4 State Championship.
“That was a turning point for me and made me realize what I was capable of,” she said.
Her Ferris State career began on a high note, as she helped lead the Bulldogs to the
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship and earned Second Team
All-GLIAC honors.
Shannon continued to elevate her game the following season, earning First Team All-GLIAC
recognition and being named a Women’s Golf Coaches Association Academic All-American.
Her junior year brought even more success. Shannon was selected to the WGCA East Region
Team, repeated as a First Team All-GLIAC honoree, and once again earned WGCA Academic
All-American distinction. She was a key contributor to Ferris State’s return to the
NCAA Division II National Championship — the program’s first appearance in 16 years.
Along the way, Shannon tied a school record with a 68 (-4) at the Gilda’s Club Laker
Fall Invite and captured her first individual championship at the Bulldog Fall Classic
at Katke Golf Course. She capped the season by earning the prestigious GLIAC Commissioner’s
Award for excellence in both academics and athletics.
That momentum carried into her senior season, where Shannon broke the Ferris State
scoring record and was named GLIAC Golfer of the Week twice.
“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.”
The No. 18-ranked Bulldogs wrapped up their fall schedule last weekend at the Saint
Leo Invitational in Dade City, Florida, finishing ninth overall. Shannon led the way
for Ferris State, tying for 16th individually. She opened with an even-par 72 and
finished with a total of 223 (+7) after a steady final-round 74 (+2).
A Sports Communication major with minors in Event Management and Digital Communication,
Shannon plans to continue pursuing her passion for golf after graduation.
“My dream job has always been to start a foundation that helps junior golfers and
athletes from low-income families chase their dreams and be able to afford to play
the sports they love,” she said. “Before that, I plan to go through the PGA Associate
route to earn my PGA card and work in the golf industry while continuing to grow my
experience. I also want to keep building my own golf game to see how far I can take
it in the professional golf world. Considering I’ve only been playing golf for about
seven and a half years and I’m already shooting the scores that I have been, I’m really
excited to see how much more my game can grow and become even more consistent.”