1980 Minnesota Junior PGA champ to head BSU program

JULY 17, 2002
BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State University director of athletics Rick Goeb today announced the hiring of Annette Tingelstad as the university’s head women’s golf coach. Tingelstad will fill an adjunct coaching position for BSU, vacated by the retiring Jim Mergens.

“Annette comes highly recommended from people in the Bemidji community,” BSU director of athletics Rick Goeb said. “She has been a golf teaching professional and will be able to work well with the women in our program.”

Tingelstad, a 1985 graduate of Concordia (Minn.) College, will make her debut as a collegiate coach after a lengthy career as a golf instructor at various levels across the state of Minnesota. She has previously served as a golf instructor at the Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes, Minn., in Fargo, N.D. and also served as a golf teaching professional at the Bemidji Town and Country Club from 1988 to 1990.

“Coaching is a new avenue to work in the golf field,” Tingelstad said. “My four years at Concordia College were great years in terms of developing my character and my golf game. I want to be able to provide four great years and a positive growth experience for the women in this program.”

Tingelstad was a high-school District Medalist for Fosston (Minn.) High School three consecutive years from 1979 to 1981, participated in the Class A State playoffs four consecutive years from 1978 to 1981. She finished fifth in State in 1979 and second in 1981. In 1980, she won the Minnesota PGA Junior Championship. During her college playing career, Tingelstad earned AIAW Regional Medalist honors and was an AIAW All-Region honoree.

Tingelstad takes over the BSU women’s program following the retirement of five-year head coach Jim Mergens. In five years as head women’s coach at BSU, Mergens helped lead the Beavers to the 1999 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship. In the spring of 2002 Mergens coached Jeannie Larson to an individual at-large berth in the NCAA Regional Championships.