The Bulldogs wrapped up the 2017 spring season with their best ever finish at the GLVC Championships, placing 7th as a team. In 2015 and 2016, the Bulldogs finished 12th and 10th, respectively.
With the team headed in the right direction, the Bulldogs now prepare for five tournaments in this fall’s non-championship season. While fall golf does not present an opportunity for GLVC championship play, the ‘Dogs only need to look to the meets coming in the spring to gauge their its play.
As they head into the fall season, Head Coach Clint Fitzpatrick said the Bulldogs have reason to expect much of themselves.
“That was by far the best we’ve had in quite a while,” Fitzpatrick said. “All five of our starters are returning, and we have two other players coming in that I would like to have an immediate impact on the team.”
Fitzpatrick said the Bulldogs return with junior Brooke Kelley, sophomore Lindsey Repp and seniors Stephanie Hulett, Amanda Ressel and Nicolle Barmettler, who bring leadership and experience to the team.
As a key player returning for the Bulldogs — who Fitzpatrick said is a role model to the incoming golf ‘Dogs — Nicolle Barmettler leads the ‘Dogs as the top finisher throughout the year, while also making a name for herself on the individual level throughout the summer.
Barmettler took home second place at the Nebraska Women’s Amateur Golf Association State Amateur Championship in Gothenburg, Nebraska, last June. The tournament took second place during three days, with Barmettler shooting 76-74-74, 8 over par. Barmettler said she played well all three days — staying consistent and hitting a lot of greens in regulation — giving herself opportunities for birdies and two-putts.
“This tournament really gave me confidence in my ability to put three good rounds together, which is important in college tournaments,” Barmettler said. “I’m really excited to see what the team will be able to do this season, and I think we will be very competitive.”
In her first three years in purple and white, Barmettler competed in 27 school-sponsored events and was the highest Truman finisher in 26 of them — notably the last 19.
New Bulldog Golfers
Katie Gastrau
- Freshman from Wauwatosa East High School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
- Four-year starter
- Three-time high school MVP
Montana George
- Transfer from Murray State College
- Two time national qualifier at Murray State in 2016 and 2017
- Won back to back Oklahoma State Championships with high school team in Hinton
The team will head to the Bulldog Invitational to play Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15-16 in Big Rapids, Michigan. This tournament and the four other fall classics will give the team a chance to see how they’ve improved since last year and where they will stand heading into this spring’s schedule.