FEATURE: Senior Golfer Lizzie Anderson Finds Home, Success on and off the Course at Ferris State
By Sandy Gholston
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – As Lizzie Anderson enters the home stretch of her college golf career, she fondly understands that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression — especially a good one.
Fortunately, Ferris State didn't need a second chance with Anderson, a Lockport, Illinois native, now a PGA Golf Management major in the College of Business.
"I came to Ferris State to play on the women's golf team," she said. "I was talking to a couple of schools at the beginning of my senior year of high school, but once I toured Ferris and met the team, I knew this was where I wanted to play college golf."
Her choice to become a Bulldog was perhaps never more validated than when she and her teammates won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship on Sunday, April 19, in Augusta.
After placing second in stroke play at the league championships, Ferris State advanced to the head-to-head match play final.
The Bulldogs defeated Grand Valley State 3.5-1.5 to win the league championship – their second in the last four years. Ferris State's 2023 title marked the program's first since 2007.
"It was a very special win as one of the seniors, especially because I was a part of the team that won the GLIAC championship my freshman year," said Anderson, who finished 11th individually at 229 and a final-round score of 73. "This is something that we have been working on for all season. It was nice to see the hard work pay off."
Anderson and fellow Ferris State seniors Taylor Musselman and Kamryn Shannon couldn't be happier to share this success as Bulldog sisters.
"Being a part of this team is special. It truly feels like a second family," Anderson said. "As soon as I arrived my freshman year, everyone was very welcoming and supportive, which made the transition into college a lot easier."
These Bulldogs are in this together.
"The support we have for each other, on and off the course, has helped me grow a lot and make lifelong friendships," Anderson added.
For these Bulldogs, wearing and competing with that Ferris State logo on their uniforms means something extra special.
"Being part of a program with Ferris State's history makes it even more meaningful," Anderson said. "There's a strong sense of pride in wearing the Bulldog logo and representing Ferris State. It pushes me to work hard to leave a positive impact for the players who come after me."
As a freshman during the 2022-23 season, Anderson earned WGCA Academic All-American and All-GLIAC Honorable Mention honors, competing in 30 rounds with an average of 79.
During her sophomore campaign, Anderson again earned WGCA Academic All-American and All-GLIAC Honorable Mention accolades.
Last season, as a junior, Anderson earned a third consecutive WGCA Academic All-American recognition but stepped up to All-GLIAC Second Team status as she helped lead the Bulldogs back to the NCA Division II National Championships.
Now, in the twilight of her college golf career, Anderson is focusing on a positive finish but also thinking ahead to life after Ferris State.
"I am in the Professional Golf Management program," she said. "Originally, I came to Ferris undecided, not really knowing what I wanted to do. Going into my junior year, I transferred into PGM, and it has been an amazing experience so far."
Anderson, who plans to graduate academically at the end of the Fall 2027 semester, sees golf remaining a part of her life after college.
"I want to become a teaching professional at a golf course in the future after I graduate from Ferris," she said. "I want to help grow the game of golf and teach future generations."
For now, her focus is on the NCAA Division II National Championships slated to take place this week in Florida.
"I am very excited for the NCAA Championships," Anderson said. "Last year, we made it to nationals as well, and we hope to improve on our finish this year."