Sanford Health and GreatLIFE create golf-based partnership

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –- Sanford Health and GreatLIFE announced Tuesday a golf-based partnership that includes multiple sponsorships and perks for members of each organization’s health and wellness centers and fitness clubs.

“Sanford Health has many wonderful friends in Sioux Falls, and Tom Walsh Sr. and the GreatLIFE team are certainly included,” said Bill Gassen, chief human resources officer at Sanford Health. “We like to support each other and do everything we can to get more people active and lead healthy lifestyles.”

GreatLIFE and Sanford Wellness Center members will receive a 50-percent discount at Sanford Health’s recently announced golf entertainment facility, Great Shots.

“Great Shots will be an excellent new perk for our members,” said Walsh, CEO and chairman of GreatLIFE. “It’s a phenomenal facility that will extend their opportunity to play year-round.”

Kolb joins golf academy

Great Shots, which is scheduled to open in late 2019, will be the new home of the Sanford POWER Golf Academy. Award-winning golf instructor and certified PGA Teaching Professional Todd Kolb has also joined the staff of the academy.

Kolb, a native of Sioux Falls and former all-conference golfer at New Mexico State, started the Todd Kolb Golf Academy in 1997. The 2018 Golf Digest Top Teacher in South Dakota winner has helped thousands of youth golfers improve their game. He also coached professional golfers Kim Kaufman, Angela Stanford, Maddie Shields, Elin Arvidsson and Andre Metzger.

Kolb joins a POWER Golf Academy team that features movement experts, strength and conditioning coaches and a sports dietitian.

“I have had a great relationship with Sanford Health for many years, and I’m excited to officially team up with the Sanford POWER Golf Academy,” said Kolb. “Our goal will always be to make the game more enjoyable while helping you maximize your potential on the course.”

Willow Run, a GreatLIFE golf course where Kolb’s training facility is located, becomes the home golf course of the Sanford POWER Golf Academy. Staff members will continue providing instructions and clinics at the course.

More partnership benefits

Sanford Health is the new sponsor of the GreatLIFE Family Tees at area GreatLIFE courses. These tees are located farther up the fairway and designed to make the game more enjoyable for all ages as well as beginners.

GreatLIFE will be a sponsor of the Sanford International PGA TOUR Champions event, Sept. 17-23 at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls. GreatLIFE members can enter the tournament through a special entrance off the 16th green and have designated GreatLIFE seating.

GreatLIFE will contribute a matching gift of $25,000 to Champions for Charities. Champions for Charities will be donating to several local charities including Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Dakota.