Three men to be inducted into South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame
SIOUX FALLS — Derek Burshiem of Flandreau, Larry Gunia of Sioux Falls and Kevin Buntrock of Rapid City will be inducted into the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame this September.
An induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18 during the South Dakota Golf Association's s annual banquet at The Holiday Inn and Suites in Sioux Falls, which is hall of fame. Those interested in attending can email hof@sdga.org or call 605-740-7085.
SDGA members can also play in the SDGA Three Person Challenge on Monday,
Sept. 19 at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls. This event benefits the Hall of
Fame and First Tee South Dakota. Interested players can register online at https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/3368778.
With the addition of these three inductees, there are now 72 members enshrined
since its inception in 1977. A complete list of members can be found at www.sdga.org.
Here are biographies of the new inductees:
Derek Burshiem, Flandreau
Burshiem is the first Native American member of the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame. A formidable player for over 40 years, he has four SDGA Championships and numerous runner-up finishes. He is a three-time Senior Male Golfer of the Year.
Beyond his playing ability, Burshiem has made many other significant contributions to golf in South Dakota. He has volunteered countless hours at Rivers Bend GC in Flandreau, helping to manage and maintain the course through difficult times. He has been deeply involved with junior golf at Rivers Bend and Flandreau High School.
Burshiem recently formed a non-profit organization. The 1st American
Golf Association is dedicated to helping Native American youth learn about golf both
as a game and a career.
Larry Gunia, Sioux Falls
Gunia began his lifelong commitment to golf as a caddie in his hometown of Omaha, Neb. He began his professional career at the Field Club in Omaha under Max Crouch in 1970.
In 1980, Gunia moved to Sioux Falls to be the first assistant to Hall of Fame member Terry Crouch. He moved on to spend the rest of his career at Willow Run Golf Course.
Gunia is a life member of the PGA and won the 2006 Facility Promoter of the Year from the Minnesota PGA. His commitment to volunteer service is legendary and he is especially proud of his service teaching golf to fellow veterans through the Veterans Eagle Turf Program.
Kevin Buntrock, Rapid City
Buntrock served on the board of directors of the SDGA for 19 years, becoming the first person to serve two terms as board president.
During his tenure on the board, the SDGA experienced unprecedented growth. With his support, guidance and leadership, the SDGA expanded its offerings of state championships; developed a Junior Golf Tour; created the statewide First Tee of South Dakota; operated the Great Plains Golf Expo and established a permanent home for the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame.
Buntrock's greatest contribution to golf in South Dakota is having the vision to create the Golf Club at Red Rock on the southern edge of Rapid City. The Golf Club at Red Rock
has consistently been rated the best public golf course in South Dakota by national
publications.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: New inductees include Derek Bursheim, Larry Gunia and Kevin Buntrock.
