Sioux Falls shines at the Sanford International

It is hard to believe that the Sanford International presented by First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard & Mastercard has called Sioux Falls home for the last seven years. What started out as a professional golf tournament that brought the legends of the game to Minnehaha Country Club has developed into much more than that. The Sanford International is now a community social event that showcases, on a national stage, the incredible city and state that we have the pleasure to call home.

Our event is supported each year by more than 140 corporate sponsors who find value in using our platform to not only entertain their own stakeholders, but network with other businesses and their guests. Most businesses that support our event hail from Sioux Falls and the upper Midwest. However, many of our partners bring in guests from outside of the region who are introduced to our great community for the first time. Out-of-towners, who may have never made their way to Sioux Falls otherwise, experience the tournament, stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, spend time in our downtown and then leave with a memorable experience that they share back home with their colleagues and friends. Those visits contribute to the event’s annual economic impact of more than $23 million to the region, and more than $120 million since the event’s inception. We are proud to be able to impact our local economy in such a significant way.

As an out-of-towner myself, I continue to be amazed by the One Sioux Falls approach. The way our community wraps its arms around transplants, new businesses and events that shine a positive light on our city is not common across the country. The PGA TOUR Champions professionals feel this overwhelming community support. Their primary reason for continuing to play is not necessarily the money – it’s the “juice” or adrenaline that can’t be replicated during a regular round or even a money game with their buddies. The professionals are entertainers at heart and often cite the electric atmosphere that the thousands of fans deliver as one of the reasons they make their way back to the Sanford International each year. Sioux Falls certainly delivers the adrenaline rush they yearn for as they compete down the stretch for a victory. The world-class golf course in Minnehaha Country Club, its great conditioning and our region’s classic midwestern hospitality are all contributing factors that lead to the top-tier player field we see each year.

In 2023, the Sanford International was amongst the most-attended events on TOUR and was awarded the Fan First Award at the PGA TOUR Annual Meetings. This award is presented to the event that goes above and beyond to create an elevated experience for every type of fan. The event stood out as the most fan-friendly event by offering a myriad of ancillary events beyond the competition, signature local food items exclusive to the tournament, and numerous public viewing options to make the viewing experience first-class for all spectators. This was one of six awards given out with all 28 events eligible. Our team, Sanford Health and our partners have always felt how special the event is, but to be recognized by the folks in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, provided some extra validation.

Our team is fortunate to call Sioux Falls the home of the Sanford International. When we extended the event’s contract last year with Sanford Health, Minnehaha Country Club and the PGA TOUR, it was also an extension with Sioux Falls businesses, residents, vendors, merchants and local charities. It is an incredible opportunity to showcase what we all know is one of the greatest places in the country to live, work and raise a family. The support of our partners, more than 650 volunteers, Minnehaha Country Club and its members and YOU – the community – is a recipe for longstanding success that we plan to continue through 2027 and hopefully beyond.

Davis Trosin is the Tournament Director for the Sanford International and works for the golf management company, Pro Links Sports. He moved to Sioux Falls five years ago with his wife, Gráinne, 10-month-old twins, Henry and Maeve, and their two dogs. In his free time, Davis likes to play golf, take in Sioux Falls’ incredible restaurant scene and spend time outdoors with his family.