North Dakota Athletics announced on Monday, July 10, 2023 that Kris Kroetsch was named as the newest head coach for the women's golf program. The 2025-26 season will be his second on the staff.
It was another strong year for UND in 2024-25, with Kroetsch helping his squad post a trio of medalist finishes, including winning the team title at the WIU Intercollegiate in April. The Fighting Hawks also placed second at the NDSU Invitational in Oxbow, N.D. and third at the Tommie Invitational in Stillwater, Minn.
Kyle Warner shined on the individual side, capturing the individual title at the WIU Intercollegiate with a 221 and was the only competitor to fire a round in the 60's over the entire event. Fellow sophomore Gigi Lund also had a strong season, capped off by a third-place finish at the WIU Intercollegiate.
In his first year with the program, Kroetsch helped the team card a trio of top-3 finishes in team events, including capturing the team crown at the Tracy Lane Memorial in Bemidji, Minn. The Fighting Hawks also finished third at the Tommie Invitational in St. Paul, Minn. and third at the WIU Intercollegiate.
On the individual side, a pair of young players made their marks with freshman Kylie Warner and sophomore Emersyn Walker each leading the way in scoring. The duo combined for three top-10 finishes, a top-5 placement and an individual title by Walker at the Tracy Lane Memorial in Bemidji.
Kroetsch returned to his alma mater following an over decade-long career as a PGA Teaching Professional in Fargo, while also serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the North Dakota State women's golf team. During his time as a teaching professional, Kroetsch was named the 2016 Minnesota PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year as well as earning four Dakota Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year honors.
The Grand Forks, N.D., native was a member of the UND men's golf team from 1998-2001, helping the Fighting Sioux capture a pair of North Central Conference (NCC) crowns before embarking on a professional career that saw him win 36 events in the Dakota Chapter and Minnesota Section of the PGA, appear in two PGA National Assistants Championships and four PGA Professional National Championships.
Kroetsch is a 2001 graduate of North Dakota, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education.
