Women’s Golf Makes Nationals for Third Consecutive Year

The Michigan State Spartans women’s golf team will be going to the National Championships for the third consecutive year under head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll.

The Spartans were in control of their finish from the start, as they started the tournament posting their best mark of any day, a 291 three-over-par, and were in fifth place as the day concluded.

Friday did not treat Michigan State as well, as they shot a 311 23-over-par and slid down a spot to sixth place. However, the Spartans remained composed on the final day shooting a 301 13-over-par, and finishing in fifth place to qualify for the National Championships.

Michigan State was strong as a team in spots 1-5, as three different players posted the best score in the three rounds.

Senior Liz Nagel led the way, posting a 70 on Thursday, the best score for any Spartan in the tournament. Nagel also was the highest individual finisher for Michigan State, as she ended up in 14th place for the tournament at 224 (70-79-75) eight-over-par.

Friday, redshirt freshman Gabby Yurik stepped up for the team and took control. Yurik was able to weather some harsh conditions and post a team best three-over-par 75. Interestingly, the next best finisher on the day was fellow freshman Kelly Grassel with a six-over-par 78.

Allyssa Ferrell, the hero from the Big Ten Championships, who sealed the tie for the Spartans hitting a nine-foot putt on the final stroke of the tournament, stepped up again on Sunday for Michigan State. Ferrell shot the team best one-over-par 73 on the final day.

Ferrell and Nagel were just two of the three seniors to step up, as Christine Meier was consistent from start to finish. Meier finished at 228 (74-80-74) and really modeled the consistency of this program. She had no overwhelmingly strong round, but by playing tough and grinding out holes, was able to help get Michigan State to the National Championships for the third year in a row.

Coach Slobodnik-Stoll, has now helped Michigan State reach 10 of their 12 National Championship appearances as a coach, and is going for the ride once again.

“Our expectations are to qualify for the national championship,” Slobodnik-Stoll said before the tournament.

There are no disappointed Spartan fans this time, as Michigan State will be heading to Tulsa, Okla. after a week off, to play for the National Championship at the Tulsa Country Club.


Anthony Garcia is a multimedia journalist for Impact Sports.

Photo: Michigan State University Women’s Golf