SDGA announces new Director of Competitions, 2025 schedule of championships

SIOUX FALLS — Dean Zahn of Aberdeen has been hired as the South Dakota Golf Association’s (SDGA) Director of Competitions.

On Jan. 1, 2025, Zahn will replace Eric Gannon, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.

“Dean checks all of the boxes when it comes to what the SDGA needs to continue conducting quality Championships and events. His experience, dedication, enthusiasm and leadership will only make the SDGA better,” SDGA Executive Director Tom Jansa said. “Dean is known throughout the area as the consummate PGA professional with extensive experience in managing championships and providing players with great experiences.”

Zahn comes to the SDGA staff with a deep understanding of the Association, having served on the board of directors, as well as his most recent position as vice president of the SDGA Junior Golf Foundation. He has been instrumental in guiding the Association’s activities over the past 20 years and was elected to the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame in 2018.

Zahn was elected to membership in the PGA in 1992 and has served Moccasin Creek Country Club in Aberdeen as PGA Assistant Professional, Head Professional, Director of Golf and General Manager since 1992. He has served on the Minnesota Section PGA Board of Directors and was awarded several section awards including PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2002.

He has a distinguished playing career as well, winning the Dakota Open twice and competing on the national stage at USGA Sectional Qualifying for the US Open and the National Senior Club Professional Championship. Zahn is a certified Coach with First Tee — South Dakota and has been a tireless supporter of junior golf in Aberdeen and across South Dakota.

“I am truly excited and honored to be joining the SDGA and to work alongside a talented team and dedicated Board of Directors in delivering top-level Championships and events,” said Zahn. “The SDGA’s mission of growing the game of golf in South Dakota and conducting high-caliber Championships, junior events, and helping member clubs provide outstanding services to their members is a mission I am eager to embrace.”

The SDGA has also announce dates (and in most cases, sites) for its 2025 Championships events. They include:

• May 31-June 1 — Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Meadowbrook Golf Course, Rapid City.

• June 7-8 or 8-9 — Two-Man Championship at site to be determined.

• June 7-8 — Two-Woman Championship, Mid-Am Two-Woman Championship and Senior Two-Woman Championship at Moccasin Creek Country Club, Aberdeen.

• June 21-22 — Husband-Wife Championship and Senior Husband-Wife Championship at Hillsview Golf Course, Pierre.

• July 10-13 — Men’s Match Play Championship at Prairie Green Golf Course, Sioux Falls.

• July 11-13 — Women’s Match Play Championship at Prairie Green Golf Course, Sioux Falls; and Senior Men’s Match Play Championship and Senior Women’s Match Play Championship at the Central Valley Golf Course, Hartford.

• July 20 — Adult-Junior Championship at Lakeview Golf Course, Mitchell.

• July 21-23 — Junior Championship at Lakeview Golf Course, Mitchell.

• July 26-27 — Women’s Senior Championship and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at The Bluffs Golf Course, Vermillion.

• Aug. 1-3 — Amateur (Men/Women) Championship at the Brookings Country Club.

• Aug. 23-24 — Men’s Senior Championship and Men’s Pre-Senior Championship at the Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, Yankton.

• Sept. 6-7 — Senior Two-Man Championship at Spearfish Canyon Golf Course. Sites to be determined for Mid-Amateur Two-Man Championship and Pre-Senior Two-Man Championship.

• Sept. 27-28 — SoDak Cup, site to be determined.

Note: Dates are yet be determined for the SDGA Hall of Fame Induction and End of Year Awards Banquet at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls.

(Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur is for golfers 25-and-older; Men’s Pre-Senior, 40-and-older; Men’s Senior, 55-and-older; and Senior Husband-Wife and Women’s Senior, 50-and-older).

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This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Aberdeen man takes over position with S.D.Golf Associationj