Golf Performance at Iron Range that includes golf lessons, golf memberships, and our junior golf academy

A native of Sioux Falls, Danny Sinksen has devoted more than two decades to advancing the game of golf across South Dakota and the Midwest. A PGA Member since 2015, he most recently has been the PGA Director of Player Development for Sioux Falls Golf, leading instructional programming and mentoring hundreds of players each season.

Danny has been part of the Sioux Falls Golf family since 1999 — including nine seasons as PGA Head Professional at Elmwood Golf Course. A proud graduate of Roosevelt High School, he was a five-year member of the golf team before continuing his career at Missouri Southern State University, where he was a four-year letter winner and earned All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors every season. He twice received MSSU’s prestigious Lion-Backer Award for excellence in both academics and athletics.

After earning his degree in Business from Missouri Southern, Danny returned home to Sioux Falls to pursue professional golf. His early playing career included multiple top-10 finishes on the Dakotas Tour and a 3rd-place finish in the Pinnacle Exceptional Drive Contest televised on ESPN.

In 2008, Danny joined Prairie Green Golf Course as an Assistant Professional while coaching both the Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams at the University of South Dakota and earning a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Higher Learning. In 2010, he became Head Golf Professional at Elmwood Golf Course, and in 2015, he was formally elected to PGA Membership.

Danny’s impact on player development is deeply rooted in teaching and mentorship. His philosophy:

“Every individual learns differently. My goal is to discover what works best for each player, making every moment on the course purposeful and rewarding.”

• The First Tee of South Dakota – Head Coach since 2017 (three-level certified), leading the Eagle program at Elmwood for over 800 annual participants.
  
• Sioux Falls Golf Academy – Founded in 2015; provides year-round training to 75+ junior golfers.
  
• Sioux Falls Junior Golf Tour – Founded in 2015; hosts 4 events annually with 80-100 junior participants.
  
• PGA Junior League Teams – Coaching Elmwood and Sioux Falls All-Stars since 2015.
  
• College Coaching – Head Coach, Augustana University Men’s Golf (2015–2022) and Head Coach, University of South Dakota Men’s & Women’s Golf (2008–2010).
  

Danny also served as Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Men’s Golf Club, organizing 20+ annual events for over 400 members, and has hosted multiple Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers.

• PGA Dakota Chapter Teacher of the Year: 2017, 2018, 202
• Minnesota Section Player Development Award: 2018
• Junior Development Award – Dakota Chapter: 2023
• Qualified for 2019 PGA Professional Championship (Belfair Golf Club, SC)
• 2018 Minnesota 4-Ball Champion (with Kyle Scanlon, USD student-athlete)
• 2023 Tatanka Open Champion
• 2025 Central Valley Open Champion
• 2012 & 2024 Boys of Summer Cup Champion
• 2023 & 2025 Brandon Open Champion

For Danny, golf is more than a profession — it’s a lifelong passion. Whether guiding junior golfers, mentoring college athletes, or supporting community programs, his focus remains on helping every player grow both on and off the course.

When he’s not coaching, Danny enjoys spending time with his wife Kelli and their two daughters, Allyson and Lexi, who inspire his love of the game and his belief in family, fun, and personal growth.

Email: Danny@IronRangeGolf.com