The new University of Mary men’s and women’s golf teams will tee off this fall with an impressive coaching staff: a four-time collegiate coach of the year and a former NCAA Division I golfer and coach. Today the university’s athletic department announced Michael Herzog as the head coach, in charge of the men’s team and golf operations, and Julia Bagnell, the assistant head coach overseeing the women’s team.
“We are excited to bring Michael Herzog and Julia Bagnell on board to build the University of Mary golf program,” said Marauders Director of Athletics Dale Lennon. “Both have extensive experience in collegiate golf and a strong belief in the development of a scholar-athlete’s whole character that aligns perfectly with our Greatness through Virtue strategic plan.”
Herzog’s been the head golf professional at Hawktree Golf Club in Bismarck since 2017, and will remain in that role as he and Bagnell lead the Marauders into a new era of NCAA golf at the University of Mary in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
Every season, during his four-year tenure as head coach at Bismarck State College (BSC) from 2013 to 2017, Herzog led the Mystics men’s and women’s golf teams to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championships. During that span, Herzog was a three-time NJCAA Regional Women’s Coach of the Year and one-time Regional Men’s Coach of the Year.
“It’s a great honor and privilege to have this opportunity to coach the University of Mary Marauders golf program,” said Herzog. “I’m very excited about this new role in my life. It’s important to me to leave a successful mark on both our men and women scholar-athletes, while also supporting the importance of academics.
“I look forward to building a competitive program based on teamwork and dedication. I plan on infusing enthusiasm and passion into my coaching, where every golfer has the opportunity to exceed their potential and personal expectations. From the support of friends and family, to the positive attitudes and skill sets of our scholar-athletes on this team, I believe we have the foundation to build a winning tradition here at University of Mary, in the NSIC and the NCAA.”
Herzog’s accolades as a PGA Class A member golf pro (2009) span all ages: first recognized as a U.S. Kids Top 50 Teacher in 2016 and 2017 and then the only North Dakotan to be named a U.S. Kids Master Coach in 2018. He’s currently president of the Minnesota PGA Section Dakota Chapter and a member of the Minnesota Section PGA Junior Golf Committee.
Herzog competed at the NCAA Division II level at the University of North Dakota between 1998 and 2000 and swam for UND in 1998-99. Herzog began his coaching career at Red River High School in Grand Forks, ND, as a volunteer in 2001, before graduating in 2002 from UND with an exercise science major.
He became assistant coach at Crown College from 2007-09 before becoming a golf pro in 2009. Herzog later coached the boys and girls teams at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck from 2016-17.
Bagnell competed on the Idaho State University (ISU) women’s golf team from 2009 to 2013, was named captain her senior year and selected to the Big Sky All-Academic Team in 2010. As a volunteer coach for her alma mater in 2016 she helped lead the Bengals at the Big Sky Conference Championships.
Bagnell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at ISU and a master’s degree in business from the University of Mary. Most recently, in the spring of 2019, she became St. Mary’s Central High School’s boys assistant golf coach and is currently an advisor for working adults on UMary Online.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of the golf program,” said Bagnell, a native of Polson, MT, where she was an All-State golfer. “I look forward to working with Mike in building and leading successful and competitive teams.”
Herzog won’t have to move his current office at the prestigious Hawktree Golf Club northwest of Bismarck because that’s where the Marauders will play their home matches. For 2019-2020, Golf Digest magazine again, for the second year in a row, ranked Hawktree the No. 1 golf course in North Dakota.
The course, designed by architect Jim Engh, has earned numerous accolades and awards over the years in national golf magazines for its Scottish-links look, yet modern feel. Engh uses elevation changes, native prairie grasses, large greens and black coal slag (found in the North Dakota mines) in the bunkers for a visually beautiful layout and great golf experience.
“You can’t beat the fact that we have two very experienced and accomplished golf coaches at Mary instructing our athletes at one of the premier courses in the Upper Midwest — it’s all a great fit,” explained Lennon. “With the incredible popularity of golf locally and throughout the state and Michael and Julia heading our program, area student-athletes will have a tremendous opportunity to compete at a high level without leaving the region.”
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