Sept. 3, 2026

This piece is sponsored by the Sanford International.

For golf fans, the Sanford International offers a chance to watch Hall of Famers, major champions and PGA TOUR Champions favorites compete at Minnehaha Country Club.

But for thousands of Sioux Falls-area families, military members, volunteers, junior golfers and community partners, tournament week has become much more than three rounds of golf.

This year’s Sanford International runs Sept. 7-13, with tournament play Sept. 11-13 and a full week of events leading up to the final round Sunday afternoon.

“There really is something happening all week,” said Tenny Snyder, assistant tournament director. “We’re proud of the golf, but we’re also proud of how this tournament has grown into a community event with something for families, kids, veterans, first responders and fans who just want a great experience.”

Here’s your guide to the events ahead.

Pre-tournament: Private hunt for pros and vets

The week begins with a private pheasant hunt for PGA TOUR Champions professionals, giving players a chance to experience one of South Dakota’s signature traditions. As part of the tournament’s military appreciation efforts, four veterans or active service members will participate in the hunt with professionals on behalf of Silencer Central.

Special events for women and children

Tuesday, Sept. 8, is Women’s Day, featuring a pro-am in the morning followed by a luncheon with Mayor Christine Erickson as keynote speaker.

Also Tuesday, the InSports Foundation Junior Golf Clinic will bring more than 90 children and teachers from Children’s Home Society of South Dakota to Minnehaha Country Club. Instructors from First Tee of South Dakota, the InSports Foundation and Sanford Golf Academy will provide lessons and introduce the children to the game.

“That’s one of the special parts of the week,” Snyder said. “You have kids who might not otherwise have the chance to be exposed to golf coming out to Minnehaha Country Club, learning from great teachers and getting to experience the atmosphere of the tournament.”

The tournament also has partnered with the InSports Foundation on a used golf club drive, with donation boxes at SCHEELS and GreatLIFE golf courses. Donated clubs will be provided to First Tee of South Dakota to support its programming.

Pro-Am play starts Wednesday, admission is free Thursday, Friday’s round honors 9/11

The EMC Championship Pro-Ams take place Wednesday and Thursday, with free admission for the public Thursday, Sept. 10, — the first day the course is open to spectators.

Tournament play begins Friday, Sept. 11, with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. and the first tee time at 10:15 a.m.

Because the opening round falls on 9/11, the tournament will debut Folds of Honor Friday. Patrons are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to honor U.S. service members, veterans, first responders and their families.

Through partners SCHEELS, Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort and the GIVE Foundation, first responders and active, reserve, veteran and retired military personnel, plus one guest, receive complimentary grounds admission. A dedicated Military and First Responders Outpost on hole No. 17 will offer steak sandwiches from Beef Logic Inc. each day.

Opening ceremonies presented by Silencer Central will include the national anthem, a color guard presentation, an F-16 flyover from the South Dakota Air National Guard and a ceremonial tee shot by Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador Owen Ragsdale.

The tournament also will provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders through Folds of Honor South Dakota.

“Sept. 11 is a meaningful date, and we wanted to be intentional about how we recognized it,” Snyder said. “Folds of Honor Friday gives fans a way to show appreciation, and it allows the tournament to support families who have sacrificed so much.”

Ragsdale, a 10-year-old from Madison, was named this year’s Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador in partnership with the Sanford Health Foundation. The ambassador represents Sanford Children’s Hospital at tournament events throughout the year.

Once again, the tournament also will feature the Brave Bands initiative, a grassroots fundraiser led by sisters Blakely and Gracyn Langner in partnership with the Sanford Health Foundation to benefit Sanford Children’s Hospital. The Langner family and friends handcraft thousands of bracelets and offer them to tournament patrons for a freewill donation. In 2025, the effort raised $18,127 to support Child Life Programming, which provides comfort and care to young patients at The Castle.

Strong field expected

For fans focused on the field, this year’s Sanford International is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet.

New tournament rookies include Zach Johnson, the Iowa native, two-time major champion and Ryder Cup captain; Henrik Stenson, winner of The Players Championship and The Open Championship and a five-time Ryder Cup participant; Justin Leonard, a Players Championship and Open Championship winner with 12 PGA TOUR victories; and Ben Crane, a five-time PGA TOUR winner.

The field also includes World Golf Hall of Fame members Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els, Fred Couples and Retief Goosen, who returns as the 2025 defending champion.

Several other former Sanford International champions are expected, including Steve Stricker, Rocco Mediate, Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Fan favorite John Daly also is set to appear, along with major champions Angel Cabrera, Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman, David Duval and Y.E. Yang.

“The players love coming here,” Snyder said. “They talk about Minnehaha Country Club, but they also talk about the crowds. Sioux Falls consistently shows up with one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds of the year, and that makes a difference.”

Round two Saturday, round three Sunday

Tournament weekend begins early Saturday, Sept. 12, with a free sunrise yoga session on the 18th fairway at 7:30 a.m. The tournament’s second round begins at 9:05 a.m.

Saturday also includes the EMC Greats of the Game nine-hole exhibition, featuring Pro Football Hall of Famer and Minnesota Vikings legend John Randle, former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, country music star Jordan Davis and tournament host Andy North.

The exhibition will begin on hole No. 10 at approximately 2:15 p.m. and will be followed by an autograph session at the driving range, beef samples from local ranchers and Beef Logic, and live music by GoodRoad.

Sunday, Sept. 13, marks the final round of the Sanford International, with tee times beginning at 9:05 a.m. and play expected to conclude at 4 p.m. Closing ceremonies will take place about 4:15 p.m.

Also Sunday, the tournament will host the age-group winners from the South Dakota Golf Association/Sanford International Series. The top junior golfers are invited to lunch with North and Cindy Rarick, a Minnesota native and five-time LPGA Tour winner, and will be recognized during closing ceremonies.

New for families, expanded options, ways to win

For families, the tournament includes activities throughout the weekend. The InSports Foundation Kids Zone will offer entertainment such as a face painter, clinics led by First Tee and the InSports Foundation, and arts and crafts from the Great Plains Zoo.

New this year is the Family Care Lounge presented by Connection Enterprise and Ergotron. The air-conditioned venue offers a place for kids to escape the heat and includes a nursing room and diaper-changing station.

“The tournament prides itself on being family-friendly,” Snyder said. “Kids 15 and under get in free with a ticketed adult, and we’ve added amenities that make it easier for families to spend the day with us.”

Fans also will find expanded hospitality and food options throughout the course.

On hole No. 17, the Maestro Dobel Tequila Deck overlooks multiple holes and features the tournament’s signature cocktail, The Ace Paloma, along with a Fairway Margarita. Nearby, The Ranch presented by Beef Logic offers a tailgate-style venue with video boards to watch football; cornhole and mini-golf to play; and the tournament’s signature South Dakota Ribeye Sandwich prepared by South Dakota ranchers to enjoy.

Fans looking for prime sightlines can visit the AARP Viewing Deck behind the No. 9 green or Tinners on Twelve, a popular location offering views of three holes with hospitality service.

This year’s fan experience also includes an expanded partnership with CJ Schwan’s, bringing its bibigo brand to a dedicated concession stand. Items such as egg rolls and dumplings — soon to be produced in Sioux Falls — also will be served throughout the week at pro-am and hospitality events.

“The goal is to make the entire course feel like an experience,” Snyder said. “Whether you’re following your favorite player, bringing your kids, stopping for food or meeting friends at one of the venues, we want people to feel like they had a full day of entertainment.”

Grounds tickets start at $25, and kids 15 and younger receive free tournament admission with a ticketed adult, with youth admission provided on behalf of the University of South Dakota.

Fans also can take part in the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety Sweepstakes by completing a safe-driving survey online through the tournament’s social channels or in person with the SDOHS team during tournament week. The winner will receive a chance to play in next year’s pro-am with three guests. Through the SDOHS and Lyft partnership, fans also can receive a $10 credit for safe travel to and from the tournament.

Those who want to stay active during the event can participate in the Champions Health Walk presented by Optimum Healthcare IT, a self-guided walk around the entire course featuring mile markers with tournament trivia questions. Spectators can pick up a route card at the main entrance, complete the trivia and return the card for a chance to win a Sanford International merchandise gift card.

For Snyder, the week’s variety reflects what the Sanford International has become for Sioux Falls: a professional golf tournament, a community gathering, a charitable platform and a showcase for the region.

“We want people to come for the golf, but we also want them to discover everything around it,” she said. “Every year, we try to add something that makes the experience more memorable, and this year’s tournament has so many ways for people to be part of it.”

Get additional information and buy tickets at SanfordInternational.com.