October 23, 2025
Kamryn Shannon got a late start in golf but shined at Ferris State on the course and in the classroom
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."