FARGO — On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Oak Grove sophomore Ellie Zuger practiced chip shots on the practice hole at Fargo Country Club.
Zuger was one of the six Grovers girls golfers making last-minute adjustments ahead of the season’s final tournament.
The North Dakota Class B girls golf state tournament is slated for Monday, Sept. 29 to Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Pheasant Country Golf Course in South Heart.
Fargo Oak Grove golfer Claire Lee lines up a putt during practice on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at the Fargo Country Club in south Fargo.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Oak Grove enters the tournament as the three-time defending state champion.
“We have to have confidence in our games,” Zuger said. “And know that our teammates are going to do their best.”
The Grovers hold the best team scoring average among Class B programs and third-best in the state at 321.8 strokes. Oak Grove has won all but two events played this season.
“We’ve got six great players,” said Oak Grove sophomore Sylvie Brantner. “Every day we come out, we work and we try our best.”
Zuger and Brantner rank among the best golfers in Class B. Zuger holds the third-best scoring average among Class B golfers at 76.7 strokes per round, currently the lowest in program history.
“She hits good, she chips good and she putts good,” said Grovers head coach Laine Brantner. “There’s really (no weakness) in her golf game.”
Fargo Oak Grove golfer Sylvie Brantner watches her putt roll towards the hole on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at the Fargo Country Club in south Fargo.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Sylvie Brantner holds the fifth-best scoring average in Class B, averaging 78.5 strokes. She said her swing has started to come together, which adds a boost of confidence.
“She’s really improved in her short game and getting more consistent with her driver,” Laine Brantner said.
Sophomore Claire Lee has a 79.7 scoring average and Josie Geiger averages 81.8 strokes.
Brantner the team’s scoring average is strokes better than last season.
“The scoring averages for all the girls have improved,” Laine Brantner said. “These girls have really just worked hard to improve their games.”
Oak Grove golfer Josie Geiger watches her putt roll towards the hole on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at the Fargo Country Club in south Fargo.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
For the Grovers, some of the team has played together for nearly four seasons.
“We’re definitely a big family,” Zuger said.
The team said that just playing to their ability and not trying to do too much will be critical in order to have success at the state tournament.
“Just be our average selves and play the game we’re all gifted with, and try to glorify God,” Sylvie Brantner said.
The Grovers played at Pheasant County Golf Course during the East-West Classic in August. With a lot of penalty area, Laine Brantner said his team will have to stress hitting straight shots.
“Our girls have some familiarity with it,” Laine Brantner said. “They all like it.”
Fargo Oak Grove golfer Ellie Zuger practices putting on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at the Fargo Country Club in south Fargo.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Fargo Oak Grove golfer Claire Luebke practices chipping on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at the Fargo Country Club in south Fargo.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January of 2023. Readers can reach him at 701-241-5508 or by emailing ahaugland@forumcomm.com