Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Trio of Spartans Represented Women’s Golf at the 2024 US Amateur
9/26/2024 10:09:00 AM | Women's Golf
By Liz Thomas
For msuspartans.com
Michigan State senior golfers Katie Lu, Shannon Kennedy and Brooke Biermann always seem to be together. They played in their home state Amateurs this past summer, competed in the U.S. Amateur Women's Championship, and have roomed together for three out of four years.
Kennedy, a native of Bloomfield Hills, was the first of the three to qualify for the USGA Amateurs after winning the Michigan Amateur. She took the Michigan title in dramatic fashion, taking the final round head-to-head matchup in the 17th and 18th holes.
"Another huge bonus there, something more to play for something or to grind for," said Kennedy.
Biermann, who is from Wildwood, Missouri, shot a 5-under par to win her state amateur in June, a week after Kennedy.
"Shannon qualified before me, which was super motivational," Biermann said. "She did awesome so I was like, 'I can do that too.''
Their titles inspired Lu to go for it in the New Jersey Amateur.
"After seeing Brooke and Shannon get their exceptions, I really wanted to after it so I could join them," Lu said.
Lu, who hails from from Plainsboro, New Jersey, placed third in her state qualifier after a 3-for-2 playoff.
The trio's strong performances in their state amateurs resulted in a reunion at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the 2024 US Amateur in August.
"Every golfer wants to be there," said Biermann.
The players were excited to be able to share this moment together.
"It was super sweet to be there especially with all three of us being seniors this year and to be there together was super fun," Kennedy said.
They were quite eager to represent MSU with being one of the schools with the most players in the tournament. Playing in events such as the US Amateur helps grow their games and learn from each other and others during the competition.
"Being there surrounded by other top elite amateurs in the golf world helps knowing that you can be there to compete against the top in the world," said Lu.
The three missed the cut, but they enjoyed the experience of playing in a national tournament with each other.
"To make it to the USGA level which is where history is made, that's like the top caliber of golfers there," said Lu.
The event allowed for them to continue to grow their bond.
"It's also very cool that we're very close so being able to be put in the same situation together is very cool," said Biermann.
Their achievements together continue as the MSU women's golf team was ranked No.13 by the Golf Channel this September, with Lu receiving an honorable mention.
"Those are all really good confidence boosters, and it proves that we are all great golfers, but again when we're out there on the course we play our best when we focus on the shot-at-hand," said Lu.
Biermann was named Big Ten Golfer of the week on Sept. 26, after setting records at the Mary Fossum Invitational. She took second, shooting a personal best 8-under par 64, and the second best 18-hole score in the history of the tournament.
Lu was ninth and Kennedy at 54th.
The team came in second place behind Ole Miss.
Off the course they support each other as well, as the golfers find each other pushing themselves to be the best they can be.
"We all push each other both on and off the course and I have a lot to learn from these girls," said Lu.
For msuspartans.com
Michigan State senior golfers Katie Lu, Shannon Kennedy and Brooke Biermann always seem to be together. They played in their home state Amateurs this past summer, competed in the U.S. Amateur Women's Championship, and have roomed together for three out of four years.
Kennedy, a native of Bloomfield Hills, was the first of the three to qualify for the USGA Amateurs after winning the Michigan Amateur. She took the Michigan title in dramatic fashion, taking the final round head-to-head matchup in the 17th and 18th holes.
"Another huge bonus there, something more to play for something or to grind for," said Kennedy.
Biermann, who is from Wildwood, Missouri, shot a 5-under par to win her state amateur in June, a week after Kennedy.
"Shannon qualified before me, which was super motivational," Biermann said. "She did awesome so I was like, 'I can do that too.''
Their titles inspired Lu to go for it in the New Jersey Amateur.
"After seeing Brooke and Shannon get their exceptions, I really wanted to after it so I could join them," Lu said.
Lu, who hails from from Plainsboro, New Jersey, placed third in her state qualifier after a 3-for-2 playoff.
The trio's strong performances in their state amateurs resulted in a reunion at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the 2024 US Amateur in August.
"Every golfer wants to be there," said Biermann.
The players were excited to be able to share this moment together.
"It was super sweet to be there especially with all three of us being seniors this year and to be there together was super fun," Kennedy said.
They were quite eager to represent MSU with being one of the schools with the most players in the tournament. Playing in events such as the US Amateur helps grow their games and learn from each other and others during the competition.
"Being there surrounded by other top elite amateurs in the golf world helps knowing that you can be there to compete against the top in the world," said Lu.
The three missed the cut, but they enjoyed the experience of playing in a national tournament with each other.
"To make it to the USGA level which is where history is made, that's like the top caliber of golfers there," said Lu.
The event allowed for them to continue to grow their bond.
"It's also very cool that we're very close so being able to be put in the same situation together is very cool," said Biermann.
Their achievements together continue as the MSU women's golf team was ranked No.13 by the Golf Channel this September, with Lu receiving an honorable mention.
"Those are all really good confidence boosters, and it proves that we are all great golfers, but again when we're out there on the course we play our best when we focus on the shot-at-hand," said Lu.
Biermann was named Big Ten Golfer of the week on Sept. 26, after setting records at the Mary Fossum Invitational. She took second, shooting a personal best 8-under par 64, and the second best 18-hole score in the history of the tournament.
Lu was ninth and Kennedy at 54th.
The team came in second place behind Ole Miss.
Off the course they support each other as well, as the golfers find each other pushing themselves to be the best they can be.
"We all push each other both on and off the course and I have a lot to learn from these girls," said Lu.
Players Mentioned
Never Playing Alone | Spartans All-Access
Tuesday, May 20
Moving in the Right Direction | Spartans All-Access
Monday, February 10
Day in the Life with Women's Golf | Spartans All-Access
Tuesday, October 01
Michgan State Women's Golf at NCAA Championships | Cinematic Highlight | May 17-19,2024
Tuesday, May 21