Braves ‘ready’ for PGA High School National Invitational

MANDAN, N.D. — While the high school girls golf season ended more than nine months ago, the work hasn’t stopped for the Mandan Braves as they prepare for the 2024 PGA High School Golf National Invitational.

After a dominant 2023 season that ended with a state championship and qualification for the event, the Braves have shifted their focus to what they call a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” competing on new courses against golfers from across the country.

“We did our job here, so let’s do our job and have fun,” head coach Dean Johs said. “First of all, let’s enjoy what we’re going to do out there, play and have a good time and then see where we’re at at the end. But we’re going to go out there for more than just playing a round of golf. We’re going to go out there and do our best, take what we can and let it all fall into place.”

“It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” added sophomore Stray Ressler. “You can’t go out there every day and play with a bunch of girls from other states. So it’s going to be fun. We’ve been practicing and working hard, playing different tees and different courses to get used to the distances. I think we’re going to do pretty well out there.”

Getting to play in the Invitational and represent the Peace Garden State is the cherry on top for this Braves team. But, with the seniors graduating and moving on, the opportunity to play as a team one last time is the cherry on top.

“I know the girls are excited to be together, to play together again,” said Johs. “As a coach, it was an honor to work with these girls and this team. It will be something we will cherish and look back on as a great memory for many, many years to come.”

“It’s super exciting to be able to compete one last time with each other because we’re all really close and we’re all like family, so it’s going to be super fun,” adds senior Anna Huettl.

“These seniors have been very important to us,” Ressler said. “They’ve helped our team tremendously. Next year will be tough without them, but I think we’re going to have a great last season with them.”