MSU’s Brooke Biermann Takes National Runner Up
Her last big amateur event before turning pro
By Michael Carey, MSU Athletics
When she was 7-years-old, former Michigan State women’s golfer Brooke Biermann was given a dozen yellow golf balls by her grandfather.
Nearly 15 years later, Biermann teed off at Bandon Dunes Golf Club – the favorite club of her grandfather, Bill – in the 125th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship using a yellow golf ball.
He passed away soon after the gift to his granddaughter and in her third career tournament, at the Yorktown Golf Course in Illinois, Biermann made a hole-in-one with one of those balls and that was the start.
“That was when I was seven years old, so I've been playing them basically my whole golf career,” Biermann said. “You know, every time I tee it up he's with me, and actually this spot, it was his favorite … golf spot he's ever been to and he told my dad that before he passed away.
From the start of the U.S. Amateur on Aug. 4, her father, Bill, was by her side, pushing her cart and providing counsel as Brooke tied for 33rd place at 2-under par 142 through two rounds. Eventually, Biermann won her quarterfinal match, 3&2, but she went to extra holes in the semifinals – for the third time in five matches – and won in 19 holes.
The championship match was all square through 11 holes before Biermann posted bogies on three-straight holes, something she had not done the entire tournament, and finished the opening 18 holes down 3. She battled in the second 18 but could not cut into Megha Ganne’s lead and closed out at 33 holes, falling 4&3.
“I'm going to remember this moment for the rest of my life,” Biermann said. “I mean, what a cool spot to be with my family and just, you know, forget the golf. I mean, what a trip that I'll always remember.
“Just having my dad on the bag and relying so hard on him throughout the whole week and trusting him, it just shows our relationship and how well we work together. That doesn't happen in a week. It has taken years and years of focus and grinding.”
Biermann was also able to share the weekend with friends, members of the MSU team, including Head Coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, teammate / roommate Shannon Kennedy and a host of West Coast Spartans who came to the course.
Despite not winning the championship, it was a strong finish for Biermann in her final amateur competition before entering LPGA Tour Qualifying School this coming fall. Her resume includes reaching the finals of the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur, winning the 2024 Missouri Women’s Amateur, winning the 2023 NCAA Palm Beach Regional and earning All-American honors and All-Big Ten Conference honors this year at Michigan State.
