The Team South Dakota Committee announced the four boys and four girls who were named to the 2027 Team SD roster as part of the USGA’s U.S.National Development Program (USNDP).
“We are so excited to start this new chapter in South Dakota golf by identifying and developing some of the state’s top prospective junior golfers” according to South Dakota Golf Association Executive Director Tom Jansa.
The roster was selected by the Team South Dakota committee based on players’ performances throughout the 2026 season. The Team South Dakota committee includes representatives from the statewide golf community, the South Dakota Golf Association, the PGA of America, and the First Tee of South Dakota.
Team South Dakota is one of 30 states in the USNDP’s State Junior Team program – designed to expand, strengthen and diversify the American junior golf pipeline. The USGA announced plans to expand to all 50 states by 2028.
Team South Dakota is fortunate to have two members of the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame to help with the program. Jim Entwisle, originally from Huron and now living in Sioux Falls, is a decorated SDGA Champion and will serve as Team Captain. Dean Zahn from Aberdeen is a life-long PGA member and the SDGA Director of Rules and Competitions. He will serve as Team Coach, and will be assisted by player development professionals from across South Dakota.
All athletes named to a state team will receive at least two days of in-person athlete development per year, access to webinars led by the USNDP’s coaching and athlete development team, consideration for USNDP sponsored tournament exemptions and a streamlined grant application process for families demonstrating financial need, among other benefits.
Announced in 2023, the USNDP is designed to ensure that American golf is the global leader in the game by focusing on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations, and financial support.
The State Junior Team Program focuses on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes within each state to compete at higher levels of the game. The U.S. National Development Program is supported by philanthropic giving and secured resources to fulfill the USGA’s commitment to providing pathways to elite levels of the game, regardless of financial situations.
To be eligible, a player must be a U.S. citizen, cannot be enrolled in college, must be 13 years old by Jan. 1 and not reach his/her 19th birthday by July 19 of the year in which they would compete on a State Junior Team.