Bayer twins sign to play collegiate golf at D1 schools

BONNERS FERRY — Twin sisters and Bonners Ferry High School seniors Avery and Braylyn Bayer have signed to play collegiate golf at two D1 level colleges.

Avery will play for Idaho State University, in Pocatello and Braylyn will play for Weber State in Ogden, Utah. 

The past three years the Bayers sisters have helped lead the BFHS golf to victory. In 2021, Badger girls golf team took first in state with Braylyn taking third and Avery taking fourth place. 

In 2022 the team took second place and Braylyn finished in second place only two strokes behind the state champion. Avery finished in fifth. 

Braylyn won the state tournament and was named state champion in 2023. Avery placed third in state last season. 

Braylyn was also named North Idaho’s 2021-2022 High School Girls Golf Athlete of the Year. Avery was also nominated for the award. 

PGA Pro Billy Bomar coached the girls since they were 8 years old.

“We started when they were 8 years old. Curt [Bayer] came up with a plan, and it came to fruition today,” he said. “No matter how big our plan as parents or coaches, it’s through their hard work to go out and battle.” 

Bomar and the Bayers both putt sidesaddle, and first bonded over the different technique. 

BFHS Athletic Director Curt Bayer, and father to the girls, said this is the first time that two girls from BFHS in the same year and in the same sport have signed to play for D1 schools. 

Avery and Braylyn’s interest in golf started at the first three holes at Mirror Lake Golf Course, the municipal golf course for Bonners Ferry, Bayer said. They lived right near the second hole.

“At the beginning their interest started with picking up golf balls and then picking up clubs,” he said.

Avery and Braylyn thanked their high school coaches Ralph Lotspeich and Dave Koon.

They also thanked Bomar for his coaching over the past 9 years without his knowledge of the sport and supporting the girls as young women they would not be advancing to the next level. 

“We would not be sitting here if it wasn’t for [Bomar],” Curt Bayer said. 

Braylyn has a 3.8 GPA and participates in various local and statewide leadership conferences. She plans to major in Pre-Law and Political Science at Weber State. She has a full ride scholarship. 

Avery has a 3.2 GPA and is known for her unwavering attitude on the course. She was the Idaho 15-18 state champion in the Idaho Junior Golf Association Championship this past summer. 

Curt Bayer said Avery's attitude never changes whether she plays a good or a bad hole at golf, and that made her stand out to the ISU recruiter. 

Avery also has a scholarship to ISU and will be applying to more funding in the new year. 

Friends, family and past coaches were there to congratulate the pair. Avery and Braylyn thanked all for attending and noted they wouldn’t be where they are today without the people in the room supporting them over the years. 

This was the first signing day for BFHS for the 2023-24 school year.

Avery Bayer signs to play collegiate golf for ISU.

Braylyn Bayer signs to play collegiate golf for Weber State.