SIOUX FALLS – Six individuals have been honored as SDGA Golfers of the Year for their performances during the 2018 season.
Male Golfer of the Year
Jesse Talcott, Sioux Falls
Talcott won the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Fox Run, finishing at 2-under-par.
He placed third in the Men’s Amateur Championship at Elmwood with an 8-under total and reached the quarterfinals of the Men’s Match Play Championship.
Talcott led the SoDak Cup points list.
He is a two-time SDGA champion, also winning the Amateur in 2014.
Female Golfer of the Year
Karissa Guthrie, Pierre
Guthrie claimed the Women’s Amateur Championship title at Elmwood.
She teamed with fellow Pierre native Katie Bartlett to win the Two-Woman Championship.
Guthrie is a senior at Northern Michigan.
Senior Male Golfer of the Year
Mike Brummer, Rapid City
Brummer was runner-up in both the Men’s Senior Championship and Senior Two-Man Championship (with Tommy Reynolds). He made it to the Round of 32 at the Men’s Match Play Championship.
Brummer, a member of the SDGA Hall of Fame, has 18 career victories. He’s won the Senior five times and the Senior Two-Man on four occasions.
Senior Female Golfer of the Year
Jackie Witlock, Aberdeen
Witlock prevailed in the Women’s Senior Championship.
She and Aubrey O’Connell won the Open Division in the Two-Woman Championship.
Jackie and Scott Witlock won the Husband-Wife Championship in 2000 and 2002.
Junior Male Golfer of the Year
Jack Lundin, Sioux Falls
Lundin was the Junior Boys’ Championship winner.
He tied for fourth in the Men’s Amateur Championship with a 6-under total, including a 63 in the first round.
A junior at Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Lundin tied for fourth in the Class AA State Boys’ Golf Tournament on Oct. 1-2 at Brookings Country Club.
Junior Female Golfer of the Year
Alex Kandolin, Rapid City
The South Dakota State commit successfully defended her Junior Girls’ Championship, shooting 3-over at Lakeview for a five-stroke victory.
She won a three-player playoff to take the title in 2017.
Kandolin placed sixth in the Women’s Amateur Championship.
She was runner-up at the Class A State Girls’ Golf Tournament on June 4-5 at Rocky Run, losing by a shot, during her junior season.
Kandolin was the points leader in the SDGA Junior Tour West Region.
She is now a senior at St. Thomas More in Rapid City.
