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About

Making South Dakota Golf Better

The mission of the South Dakota Golf Association is to foster, promote and conserve the true spirit and the best interest in the game of golf in the state of South Dakota, as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. The SDGA conducts 16 championships and sponsors two regional junior golf tours for junior golfers ages 8 to 18.

  • Handicapping

    The SDGA is authorized by the USGA to administer the World Handicap System™ and to issue Course Ratings™.

  • SDGA Junior Golf Foundation

    The SDGA Junior Golf Foundation oversees First Tee — South Dakota and awards six $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

  • Growing The Game

    The SDGA, through our efforts and by supporting our member clubs, is continually striving to improve the game of golf in South Dakota. We thank the members of our association for their support which enables us to provide our programs and services.

Volunteer/Serve

There are many ways that you can help the SDGA in our mission to administer quality events, provide services to our member clubs, and help grow the game. If you are looking to give back to the game, click this link: VOLUNTEER/SERVE

SDGA STAFF

Executive Director / CEO Tom Jansa, PGA

  • Chief Operating Officer  Joel McCartney 
  • Course Rating        Handicap Administration & Member Services                  
  • Director of Competitions
  • Dean Zahn, PGA

Event Interns

TBD for 2025 Season

SDGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • President
    Ryan Trasamar
    Sioux Falls
    2nd Term – 2026
  • Vice President
    Bruce Ashland
    Rapid City
    1st Term – 2024
  • Secretary
    Karla Cotton
    Sioux Falls
    2nd Term – 2026

Board Members

  • Jackie Witlock
    ABERDEEN
    2nd Term – 2025
  • Karla Byrum
    Sioux Falls
    2nd Term – 2024
  • Royaune Jasinski
    rapid city
    1st Term – 2026
  • Kelly Farrar
    Rapid City
    1st Term – 2027
  • Ben Irlbeck
    Elk Point
    1st Term – 2028
  • Michael Keeton
    Pierre
    2nd Term – 2024
  • Jason Crisp, PGA
    PGA ADVISOR
    SIOUX FALLS
    2025

  • Jim Lather
    Sioux Falls
    2nd Term – 2025
  • Ryan Messick
    Rapid City
    1st Term – 2026
  • Jeff Salter
    Rapid City
    1st Term – 2028
  • Brandon Sigmund
    Mitchell
    1st Term – 2027
  • Mark Stein
    Watertown
    2nd Term – 2024
  • Josh Wendling
    JEFFERSON
    1st TERM – 2026
  •  

SDGA JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION STAFF

CEO
SDGA Jr Golf Foundation &
First Tee — South Dakota
Julie Jansa

Operations Director
First Tee — South Dakota
Kelli Sinksen

SDGA JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • President
    Dave Austad
    Sioux Falls
  • Vice President
    Unfilled
  • Secretary/Treasurer
    Chris Thornton
    Yankton 

Board Members

  • Christie Aberson
    Sioux Falls
  • Jordan Anderson
    Sioux Falls
  • Bruce Ashland
    SDGA Vice President
    Rapid City
  • Karla Byrum
    Sioux Falls
  • Kristy Griffin
    Sioux Falls
  • Greg Heiberger
    Brookings
  • Glen Herrick
    Sioux Falls
  •  
  • Jack Hieb
    Aberdeen
  • Jay Huizenga
    Sioux Falls
  • Tommy Johnson
    Sioux Falls
  • Kate Patrick
    Sioux Falls
  • Ryan Trasamar
    SDGA President
    Sioux Falls
  • Rich Wells
    Rapid City
  • Tom Jansa, PGA
    SDGA Executive Director
    Sioux Falls