SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -With a sport like golf, you can continue to compete for many years. Just look at the ageless Bernhard Langer.
Our Karl’s TV and Appliance Athlete of the Week is a division one coach at SDSU who is still sharp on the fairways.
Joseph Lemelin has more on Parker Edens, the new State Amateur Champion.
STORY
Parker Edens is entering his 5th season as the South Dakota State men’s golf coach. In his 2nd year playing in the SDGA Men’s Amateur Championship he won. A great example to the athletes he coaches.
Parker Edens, SDSU golf coach and SDGA Amateur Championship winner said, “I try to compete a lot I play a lot with our guys during the fall, even in the spring season when we get out. I like to compete so I spend the summer recruiting and playing competitively.”
Edens said, “It’s fun I think our guys embrace it and love it. A couple weeks ago I was up in Fargo and played a tournament and there were four or five of the guys that were there and it’s fun I get to see them during the summer when some coaches might not as much. When I’m on the road playing I get to see the guys a lot. It’s fun, practice is competitive, I play in a lot of the qualifying with the guys and a lot of trash talking happens but most of the time it doesn’t work out for them.”
Jake Olson, an SDSU junior on the men’s golf team was in the top group alongside Edens on the final day of the tournament. Although he didn’t have the day he was hoping for, his positive attitude was still shining through.
Jake Olson, SDSU junior and Watertown native said, “Got to play in the final group and that’s all you can ask for is an opportunity to play with the leaders. I didn’t have my A game today but it was still fun to get to play with them and watch those two guys battle it out.”
Last year Olson won this competition. Edens loves to have the Watertown native on his squad and thought he had a great weekend of golf.
Edens said, “Huge for Jake he’s had a lot of really big success in summer time golf and it’s great to see him playing really solidly this summer he’s had a great summer to start with and I’m excited to see what he does for the rest of the year.”
Edens held a one stroke lead going into hole 17. A couple of miscues led to a bogey tying up the competition with one hole to go.
Edens said, “That was a little frustrating I thought I hit a little bit better of a tee shot then it ended up and kind of made a mess of the rest of the hole and was able to save a big 12 foot bogey putt just to hang in there and have a chance on 18 and just couldn’t ask for better than to have a chance.”
That bogey did not sink his momentum. Edens would win in a one hole playoff where he parred to win the competition. Another year where SDSU golf talent shined.
Edens said, “It’s like last year I think we had five of the top six were SDSU guys and it’s just exciting to see that the guys all come out and support the event and support the local golf associations, state tournament, and obviously it’s even better that they play well and it’s awesome for our program for sure.”
Edens can’t believe how fast the season is creeping up, but winning his first State Amateur Championship was a great way to cap off a competitive summer. With your Karl’s TV and Appliance Athlete of the Week, Parker Edens, I’m Joseph Lemelin.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.