Mitchell’s Asher Dannenbring has concluded a remarkable summer golf season, achieving significant milestones on both local and international stages that position him strongly for his upcoming high school season. His impressive performance reflects not only dedication but also a burgeoning talent poised for continued success within the competitive landscape of junior golf.
The summer was marked by a series of notable accomplishments, including a decisive victory in the South Dakota Golf Association Sanford Series and a commendable runner-up finish in the SDGA Junior Championship, both held at his home Lakeview Golf Course. These domestic triumphs were further elevated by his impressive tie for 29th place at the prestigious Optimist International tournament at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, an event where he made his third appearance, demonstrating consistent growth on a global platform.
For Dannenbring, a lifelong dream of playing professional golf fueled his ambition, making the opportunity to compete on a course steeped in professional history particularly meaningful. The Blue Monster course at Doral, with its legacy of hosting major professional golf events since 1962, including former PGA Tour tournaments and recent LIV Golf events, provided an invaluable experience for the young athlete.
During his two competitive rounds on the par-72 Blue Monster layout, Dannenbring carded an 81 and a 75, navigating the challenging design with resilience. He savored moments like walking up the iconic No. 18 hole with the resort backdrop and playing the memorable No. 8 hole, known for Rory McIlroy’s infamous club toss into its water hazard in 2015, adding a layer of personal history to his international competition.
Beyond scores and course layouts, Dannenbring’s mental fortitude stands out as a defining characteristic of his game. Regardless of the playing conditions or the pressure from competitors, his unwavering focus remains on maintaining poise and effectively moving past any negative moments or challenging shots during an 18-hole round, a crucial trait for any aspiring professional.
His journey into golf mirrors that of his older sister, Quinn, a collegiate golfer, with both picking up clubs as toddlers. Early childhood memories are filled with their great-grandfather and grandparents nurturing their love for the game. Dannenbring’s understanding of golf’s deeper complexities evolved significantly after joining the Mitchell High School boys varsity golf team as a seventh grader, learning from older teammates that the sport offered more than just fun.
Now preparing for his junior season for the Kernels, Dannenbring dedicated his summer to refining nuanced aspects of his game, especially improving consistency on the putting surface where he’s identified areas for improvement. Having led the Kernels in scoring last year with a 76.33 average and a 20th-place finish at the Class AA state golf championship, he aims to build on this foundation and provide leadership as the team looks to fill key spots.
With two years of high school golf remaining, Dannenbring, who also plays tennis, has begun exploring collegiate golf as the next logical step toward his professional aspirations, considering options both in and out of South Dakota. His participation against 155 golfers from 31 countries at the Optimist International served as a vital gauge of his current skill level, instilling the confidence to compete against anyone, anywhere, and carrying this momentum into the fall golf season.
