The SDGA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2025 Golfers-of-the-Year.
More information is also available at www.SDGA.org.
Male Golfer of the Year – Jake Olson, Watertown
Olson completed the rare Major double in 2025 winning both the SDGA Men’s Amateur Championship and SDGA Men’s Match Play Championship. He also finished 7th in the SDGA Two-Man Championship. Jake plays on the Men’s Golf Team at South Dakota State University and is completing his sophomore season.
Female Golfer of the Year – McKenzie Mages, Sioux Falls
Mages also completed the SDGA Major double winning the SDGA Women’s Match Play and Women’s Amateur Championships. This is the first time in SDGA history that both the Male & Female Golfers of the Year won both Majors in the same year. McKenzie is a senior at South Dakota State University and plays on the Women’s Golf Team.
Senior Male Golfer of the Year – Steve Beardsley, Rapid City
Beardsley won the SDGA Men’s Senior Championship with an emotional victory in Yankton. He also finished second in the SDGA Mid-Am Regular division and notched a T5 in the SDGA Senior Two-Man Championship.
Senior Female Golfer of the Year – Julie Jansa, Sioux Falls
Jansa added to her Hall of Fame career with another win in the SDGA Women’s Senior Championship and the SDGA Two-Woman Championship with her daughter Reese. She also reached the quarterfinals in the SDGA Women’s Match Play Championship.
Junior Male Golfer of the Year – Jayden Antonen, Sioux Falls
Antonen finished runner-up in the SDGA Boys Junior Championship, was the leading points earner for the SDGA | Sanford International Series Junior Tour winning one title and finishing runner-up in two of the six events. He also finished T10 in the SDGA Men’s Amateur Championship and earned his way into the Round of 16 in the SDGA Men’s Match Play Championship.
Junior Female Golfer of the Year – Rylan Horning, Rapid City
Horning won the SDGA Girls Junior Championship in Mitchell, and earned two SDGA | Sanford International Series Junior Tour victories, finishing runner-up in the Series Championship. In addition, she finished 4th in the SDGA Women’s Amateur Championship, reached the quarterfinals in the SDGA Women’s Match Play Championship, and in the SDGA Two-Woman Championship she notched a 4th place finish.
The SDGA Golfers of the Year, as well as the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, will be celebrated at the SDGA Annual Banquet on April 11, 2026 at the new clubhouse at Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls. All interested parties are welcome to attend, and more information will be shared as we get closer to the event.
The South Dakota Golf Association, its 90 member courses, and over 14,000 individual members work to promote the game of golf in South Dakota. The SDGA conducts 29 State Championships, two statewide junior golf tours, and USGA qualifiers. Through the SDGA Junior Golf Foundation, the SDGA impacts over 36,000 youth each year in cooperation with The First Tee of South Dakota. We appreciate the support of our members and sponsors which allow us to serve the golfers of South Dakota.
View more information at www.SDGA.org.
