First Tee South Dakota Creates Sanford Scholarships
Two $5,000 scholarships honoring T. Denny Sanford are open to South Dakota golfers planning to attend college in fall 2027.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Scholarships
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First Tee South Dakota and Sanford International have created two $5,000 scholarships in memory of T. Denny Sanford. Applicants must have lived in South Dakota for at least two years and plan to attend a college or accredited institution in fall 2027.
Why it matters
The scholarships give South Dakota junior golfers financial support for college while honoring a figure tied to the state's golf and youth programs. They extend First Tee's reach beyond its 12 eastern South Dakota communities to golfers statewide.
Each of the two scholarships is worth $5,000 and requires a cover letter, golf resume, transcript, essay, and references. The application deadline is May 15, 2027, and the number of applicants and selection timeline were not announced.
The players
First Tee South Dakota
A local chapter of The First Tee, a national youth golf development program that teaches life skills through golf, operating in 12 communities in eastern South Dakota.
Sanford International
A Sioux Falls-based organization that partnered with First Tee South Dakota to fund the scholarships named for T. Denny Sanford.
The details
Applicants complete the Scholarship Application Form and submit a cover letter, golf resume, extracurricular activity document, transcript, essay, and references or recommendation letters. Eligible applicants include those with First Tee South Dakota exposure or South Dakota Golf Association junior golfers who have competed across the state.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: First Tee South Dakota and Sanford International announced the scholarships.
May 15, 2027: Application deadline.
Fall 2027: Recipients are expected to begin college attendance.
Youth Development Track
The scholarships extend the First Tee national model, which uses golf to teach life skills, into direct college funding for South Dakota participants. They build on a program that operates in 12 eastern South Dakota communities.
South Dakota golfers planning to attend college in fall 2027 should review the eligibility requirements and gather a transcript, essay, references, and golf resume before the May 15, 2027 deadline. Applicants must have lived in South Dakota for at least two years to qualify.
The takeaway
Golfers who have trained with First Tee or competed in South Dakota junior golf may qualify for this funding. Reviewing the required application materials early can help meet the May 15, 2027 deadline.
What happens next
Applications are due May 15, 2027, ahead of recipients beginning college in fall 2027.
Further reading
Explore more South Dakota scholarships for students pursuing college education.
More information
Find full application details on the First Tee South Dakota scholarship information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dakotanewsnow.
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