Editor’s note: This story was published after the first of two rounds of both Bemidji State women’s and men’s home golf tournaments. You can read coverage from the final day of these tournaments online at
bemidjipioneer.com
on Tuesday, Sept. 9, or in the Sept. 13 print edition of the Pioneer.
BEMIDJI – Monday certainly felt like a season-opening round for the Bemidji State women’s golf team.
Every year, the Beavers pay homage to a BSU alumna, Tracy (Depew) Lane, who died in 2013 after a
battle with cervical cancer.
While the Tracy Lane Memorial Golf Tournament annually opens each new season for the Beavers at the Bemidji Town and Country Club, this year’s iteration wasn’t without challenges.
After the first round in a two-day event, Bemidji State sits in ninth place at 83-over par. It trails first-place Minnesota Crookson, which sits 47-over par.
“It was a little rough,” head coach Erica Gartner said. “I think the conditions played a part in that because I think everybody struggled putting and just playing around the greens today. That’s typically the hardest thing to get down when you’re starting a new season anyway.”
With the men’s golf team also hosting the Bemidji State Invitational, the women’s tournament started on the back nine. Shortly after the last Beaver crossed the turn, a patch of thunderstorms crossed over the BTCC, dampening the course.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
“That’ll throw your game off,” Gartner said with a laugh. “I think (our struggles) came down to that and just the slower play. The off-and-on when you’re backed up on every hole can really throw off the routines.”
Haylee Kammann paced Bemidji State through its first round. She shot an 18-over-par 90, good for 25th place. Kammann made three pars and two birdies during her round.
“Haylee played really well today,” Gartner said. “There were a couple of holes that got away from her – she missed an eagle putt on No. 15 by a couple of inches. But it’s a tap-in birdie, and she had another birdie on No. 17. She’s just trying to find her rhythm and put together 18 holes.”
Sarah Sroga was named BSU’s Player to Watch in 2025-26 this season by the NSIC and shot a 93 on Monday. She sank a pair of par putts and made one birdie.
“Coming off the course today, she’s frustrated with herself because she didn’t feel like she played her best,” Gartner said. “She wants to be better, and that’ll make her a great golfer. I think she’s a great golfer now, but the little things that she can improve here and there will help her.
“She went out and played a decent round. She chipped in on No. 18 for a birdie. There are glimpses of where she can be; it’s just trying to piece them all together.”
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Freshman Abby Turkowski out of Little Falls was one shot behind Sroga in her collegiate debut with a 94, as was Lauren Kammann. Bailey Tilley (103) and Nakomis Mitchell (107) rounded out the team portion for the Beavers. Isabella Depew competed as an individual and shot a 99.
Gartner brought back six returning players from last year’s roster – Turkowski is the only freshman. However, Gartner is hoping to see more confident swings as the fall season progresses.
“We talked about that on No. 10 before we teed off, just the nerves of hitting that first shot,” Gartner said. “It’s hard for a lot of people to get comfortable with competition golf. It’s a challenge going from playing casually in the summer to, now all of a sudden, you’re in a competition trying to get those low scores against other great players.”
While each Bemidji State player has individual things Garter wants to improve, collectively, she wants to see better play around the greens.
“There are tons of different ways to play different shots,” Gartner said. “We want to add different shots to their bag. It’s going to help them be able to work their way around greens a little bit better. If they miss an approach shot, this will help them find ways to score low, even without hitting greens in regulation.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
“Getting confident with our putting is another big one for us. Anything within 10 feet, you have to have some confidence you’re going to make it. There are some knee knockers, for sure, but for the most part, we want them to hit confident shots.”
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
The Bemidji State men’s golf team shot seven-under par as a team on Tuesday. It just so happened that Logan Schoepp was seven-under par by himself.
The reigning NSIC Tournament individual champion carded a score of 65, his lowest ever as a Beaver. Schoepp’s bogey-free round included birdies on Nos. 2, 8, 13, 14 and 18, as well as an eagle on No. 4.
Through the first of two rounds at the Bemidji State Invitational, BSU leads second-place Minnesota State by 11 strokes. Concordia St. Paul and Augustana are also within striking distance heading into the second day on Tuesday.
Teagan Laplante shot a one-under 71, with two birdies and an eagle. Riley McGovern shot an even-par 72 with four birdies and four bogeys. Julius Arenkiel shot a 73, while Charlie Williams shot a 78 to round out Bemidji’s A-team scoring.
Cullen Ryan paced Bemidji State’s B-team with a 72. Ryan made three birdies and an eagle to finish even par. Ryan Nelson (76), Brogan Paschal (76), Ryan Schmit (78) and Caden Lick (82) completed the day for the Beavers’ B-team. Gavin Dahle also shot a 78 competing as an individual.
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