(HARRIS, MICHIGAN) – Two standout college golfers, Brooke Biermann from Michigan
State University, and Rachel Niskanen from Central Michigan University, have been
awarded sponsor exemptions to compete in the 2025 Island Resort Championship at
Sweetgrass, taking place June 20–22. The event, part of the LPGA’s Epson Tour, will
welcome 144 professional golfers vying for a share of the $225,000 purse.
The sponsor exemptions give Biermann and Niskanen a unique opportunity to test their
skills against elite competition in one of the Epson Tour’s premier tournaments. Golf
fans are invited to attend and cheer on these rising stars.
Brooke Biermann: Michigan State
Brooke Biermann, a Missouri native, graduated from Michigan State this spring. She
balanced a rigorous academic workload with her athletic achievements, maintaining a
3.84 GPA while excelling on the golf course. In 2023, Biermann made history as the first
MSU golfer to win an NCAA Regional title, earning co-medalist honors with a 3-under-
par 213 and leading her team to its first-ever NCAA Regional team victory.
Biermann followed that up with her second collegiate win at the 2024 Briar’s Creek
Invitational (Charleston, SC). She captured the Missouri Women’s Amateur
Championship that same summer, which earned her a spot in the 2024 U.S. Women’s
Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club. She is also a three-time WGCA All-American
Scholar and two-time Rolex Junior All-American.
“Those moments of success have definitely been motivating, but more than anything,
they’ve given me the belief that I belong at a high level,” said Biermann. “Every
accomplishment, whether in junior golf or college, has taught me something about
resilience and patience. Earning Big Ten honors and competing at NCAA Nationals
pushed me to hold myself to a higher standard.” …(continued)…
Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass 2025
…page 2
Biermann’s impressive track record has positioned her as a top contender for a
professional career, and the Island Resort Championship will be her next big step
toward that goal.
Rachel Niskanen: Chippewa’s Rising Golf Star
Rachel Niskanen hails from Negaunee, MI. She just completed her sophomore year at
Central Michigan University and her second season as a member of the Chippewas
Golf team. She posted a top-ten finish at the Bronco Fall Classic.
Niskanen was a two-time Upper Peninsula Division 1 state champion in high school.
She earned three letters in golf and two in volleyball, proving she knows what it’s like to
work hard and compete.
“I had high aspirations for myself from the start and have put so much work into getting
to where I am today, and this invitation is proof that my efforts are paying off,” said
Niskanen. “This opportunity I have to play in this tournament is absolutely incredible,
and I feel so blessed to be able to compete. I am so excited to learn more about my
game and how I can handle the pressure of being in a tournament like this. Having fun,
learning, and growing are always goals of mine, but this time I get to do it in a much
higher level of play.”
About the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass
The Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass is a standout event on the Epson Tour,
showcasing the best up-and-coming talent in women’s professional golf. Set in the
picturesque Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the tournament offers golfers the chance to
compete for a share of the $225,000 purse in front of an enthusiastic and passionate
fanbase. Tickets to the June tournament are $10 for adults and free for 17 and under
with an adult. Tickets are on sale now at local non-profits, with proceeds going to the
charities that sell them. A list of participating organizations can be found online at
www.IslandResortGolf.com.
Comments