We have begun the construction of our new First Tee – South Dakota | Denny Sanford Learning Center located on the property of Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls. This center will be more than just a building; it will represent growth, opportunity, and a safe haven for all the kids in our community. With over 900 children participating in our Sioux Falls location alone (36,400+ statewide), this new space will provide year-round opportunities for learning, growth, and mentorship.
Our commitment is to every child, especially those that are at-risk and underserved. Through programs like Homework and Hitting, we are not just teaching golf, we are making a real difference in the lives of the kids in the program by providing a safe environment, caring adults/mentors, academic resources, and addressing food insecurities.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for helping us invest in our community youth. A special shout out to the following sponsors who have made the dream of a Learning Center a reality:
Denny Sanford Family, Don and Ann Platt, Boys of Summer Cup, Austad’s Family, Bert and Cindy Olson Family
Together we are not just building a Learning Center – we are building Game Changers!
Grand Opening November 2025!
“We are excited for this new space for our participants, staff, and coaches to utilize. The benefits and opportunities created by this space will make a huge impact for our participants in our area. It will be a great addition to our program and it will be fun to watch the building process.” – Kelli Sinksen, Operations Director
“Through golf, we teach our kids how to pursue their goals, grow through challenges, collaborate with others, build a positive self-identity, and use good judgment. These are lessons that extend far beyond the fairways and greens—they are lessons for life.
As we embark on the construction of our new Learning Center, I can’t help but reflect on how this process has taught me these very same lessons. This center is more than just a building; it represents growth, opportunity, and a safe haven for all the kids in our community. With over 850 children participating in our Sioux Falls location alone, this new space will provide year-round opportunities for learning, growth, and mentorship.
First Tee – South Dakota is not just building a Learning Center—we’re building Game Changers!” – Julie Jansa, Executive Director
Stay tuned for updates throughout this construction!
