7 things you might not know about this year’s Sanford International

Some of the biggest names in golf will be in Sioux Falls this week for the annual Sanford International, a stop on the PGA Tour Champions.

And while this marks the fourth time the event has been held at Minnehaha Country Club, every year brings new reasons to attend.

We found seven ways you can connect to this year’s tournament, have fun and give back.

Birdies help give back

We somehow missed this last year, but 2020 debuted a fundraising initiative called Birdies Give Back. Here’s how it works: Pledge either a one-time or per-birdie amount, and 100 percent of your pledge goes to  Sanford Children’s Hospital and the Sanford World Clinic.

Every time a player makes a birdie, the tally climbs. You can pledge as little as one penny per birdie. With a record 845 birdies made during the three competition rounds in 2020, the Birdies Give Back program raised nearly $100,000 in its inaugural year! Click here to pledge.

There’s value with a family package

You can get a family ticket package with two grounds tickets to Saturday and Sunday’s rounds, plus a $20 concession voucher. It’s $70, which gets you a $100 value.

Some special guests can get in free

All first responders as well as active, reserve, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel will receive free admission every day Friday through Sunday thanks to DriveSafeSD.com and Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort.

You’ll have to show appropriate identification and then receive a wristband for you and a guest for access to the grounds and a Military & First Responders Outpost located on hole No. 17. Complimentary food and beverages are provided.

Kids 15 and youger also receive free admission to the Sanford International grounds with a ticketed adult.

There’s going to be a ‘grilling battle’ on the green

When’s the last time you did some grilling with pro golfers? Here’s your chance as Grillin’ on the Green will be at 6 p.m. Saturday on the section of the course dubbed “The Ranch.”

South Dakota beef farmers and ranchers will battle it out on the grill with local media and pro athletes. Come watch golfers Rich Beem and John Daly, plus Food Network celebrity judge Justin Warner, and you could even go home with a grill. All 10 competition grills will be given away thanks to Karl’s TV, Audio, Appliances & Furniture.

You can do yoga on the golf course

Get an early start at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on the 18th hole for Sunrise Yoga. An hourlong yoga and relaxation session will be led by Revolution Yoga & Cycle Studio’s Braden Bradfield and Jill Fries, a yoga instructor at Sanford Wellness Centers. It’s free for the first 100 participants. Parking and a shuttle will be available at the Sherman Park softball fields starting at  7 a.m. Click here to register.

This year’s event adds a Sanford International Children’s Walk

The Sanford International Children’s Walk starts at 10 a.m. Sunday at Sanford Children’s Hospital and ends at the Sanford International at Minnehaha Country Club.

The Children’s Walk brings the community together with music and entertainment along the way to support local children and families who have been or are being cared for at Sanford Children’s Hospital. It’s free and open to the public. Get a team together and sign up here. 

And speaking of kids, you’ve got to meet him

The Sanford International benefits several charities, with a special emphasis on helping kids.

The tournament, in partnership with the Sanford Health Foundation, has named Cobey DeSchepper of Sioux Falls the 2021 Sanford Children’s Hospital ambassador. DeSchepper will represent the Sanford Children’s Hospital at tournament events throughout the year.

At age 4, DeSchepper was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He fought through nearly three years of treatments at Sanford Children’s Hospital, finishing treatment in November 2018. Learn his story here: