Десятилетний пациент детского госпиталя станет послом турнира Sanford International

A swing for a greater cause: Sanford Children’s Ambassador to take part in Sanford International SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - For 10-year-old Owen Ragsdale, golf is his second favorite sport. This September, he’ll have a front-row seat and a much bigger role at the Sanford International. Owen is this year’s Sanford Children’s Ambassador. “We hit foam golf balls in the backyard,” Ragsdale said. Ragsdale said golf makes him happy and has helped him cope with being at the children’s hospital. He will experience the event from the inside, including taking the ceremonial opening tee shot. “I’d probably say sometimes it’ll be bad, but it’s going to turn out good, and I’ll pray for you,” Ragsdale said. For Ragsdale, some of the excitement is simple: hitting the opening tee shot, eating good food and enjoying the tournament. Tournament host Andy North said Ragsdale represents something much bigger. “When we started at the very, very beginning, you’re hoping that it could turn into this; you didn’t have any idea. Now it’s gotten there; the communities accepted it,” North said. North said community support has helped the tournament grow into one of the biggest events on the Champions Tour. Thousands of people aren’t just coming to watch golf. They’re coming to be part of something much bigger, North said. “When you have a great host club, you got a great major sponsor, Sanford, and you’ve got a community that embraces it, it’s a great formula for winning,” North said. Tournament director Davis Trosin said proceeds from the event go to local charitable organizations, including initiatives supporting children and families. “Charity is a big part of our efforts with the tournament; obviously, proceeds from our event go to local charitable organizations,” Trosin said. Trosin said being part of the tournament is a chance for Ragsdale to represent other children at Sanford Children’s and introduce him to a sport he may carry with him for years. “It’s a wonderful way for us to introduce him to the game and see all the benefits of what this old man sport is all about,” Trosin said. The Sanford International will take place September 7-13 at the Minnehaha Country Club. Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.