The Bastel family had owned and operated a golf course since the 1930s, and her father worked as the resident pro and the course superintendent.

She graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2002, and was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

[8] On the LPGA Tour in 2005, Bastel made the cut in 13 of 21 events,[1] earning $106,491 to finish 79th on the money list.

In 2006, she made the cut in only 3 of 22 events,[1] earning only $19,126 to finish 145th on the money list,[10] losing her LPGA Tour card.

In the 2008 LPGA Championship, she shot an opening round 66, her career low, to tie for the lead despite not feeling well.

During her one year at Duke, the Blue Devils finished third in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and tied for eighth place at the 2010 NCAA championship.

[17] The University Athletic Association announced a nationwide search to replace outgoing Gators coach Dowling, athletic director Jeremy Foley and his search committee held exactly one interview for the open job – with assistant coach Bastel.