Sydney Bormann of Parkston, South Dakota won the 2016 Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge qualifier on Friday at Willow Run with a 1-over, 73 to earn the final spot in the 2nd annual event next week at Willow Run. First-round play begins on Thursday, September 1 and the final-round is scheduled for Sunday, September 4. Bormann joins a field of 144 professionals competing for a $210,000 total tournament purse.
“I played pretty consistently today,” said Bormann, who made one birdie on the day. "I started out with a bogey early on and I knew it was close towards the end. I just had to finish strong and I did.”
Bormann, the three-time defending South Dakota High School State champion (2014-2016) started her freshman year at South Dakota State on Monday.
She has the same swing coach as two-time Epson Tour winner and current LPGA rising star, Kim Kaufman, another South Dakota native. Bormann and Kaufman both work with Todd Kolb, who has an indoor teaching facility at Willow Run.
“She (Kim) is definitely a huge role model,” said Bormann. “In the summer, I play Willow Run about once or twice a week and it’s great to have the same swing coach as someone like Kim."
Bormann also won the state championship as an eighth grader in 2012.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to play with professionals and see what it is like at that next level,” said Bormann. I am looking forward to the opportunity and know I will have great support from the community.”
Now, the only thing she needs to do is explain to her chemistry lab professor that she has a professional golf tournament to attend to next week.
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