Jun. 23—SIOUX FALLS — After a dispute from the host club about continuing to make room for the annual professional golf tournament on their course, the Sanford International will continue to be played at Minnehaha Country Club for the next five years.
The two parties announced Wednesday, June 23 that the Sioux Falls private country club has agreed to continue hosting the PGA Tour Champions event through 2024. The agreement marks a two-year extension, with the previous deal set to run out after the 2022 tournament.
In November, the membership at Minnehaha had voted against extending the agreement to host the tournament past 2022, citing issues regarding the tournament complicating the ability to use the course fully during an already short golf season. The tournament is typically played on the third weekend in September.
The extension will still need approval from the PGA Tour Champions and event organizers, but the agreement of the club is a key step forward in keeping the tournament in Sioux Falls.
“The Sanford International is grateful for today’s decision made by the Board of Directors and membership of Minnehaha Country Club in agreeing to be the host venue for the Sanford International through 2024,” said Josh Brewster, tournament director of the Sanford International, said in a statement. “Being the host of an event of this magnitude is no small task, and we sincerely appreciate the membership’s willingness and sacrifice in allowing us to host the event at their home. There is no better host venue in this region than Minnehaha Country Club and with their support, we will continue to make this a premier event on the PGA Tour Champions.”
“This decision has not been made lightly, nor without great thought and commitment to the process,” said Bret Coad, chief operating officer of Minnehaha Country Club, in a statement. “We thank our members for their thoughtful input and support in sharing our beautiful golf course with the Sanford International tournament. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with the tournament, the tour and the many dedicated sponsors, and we are proud to host this incredible event for our community.”
The tournament, which will be played for the fourth time in 2021, has been won by Steve Stricker, Rocco Mediate and Miguel Angel Jimenez in the first three editions. The senior tour event plays for a purse of $1.8 million, with $270,000 going to the winner.