New SD Golf Hall of Fame members include Doug Murphy, Bert Olson and Chris Long

SIOUX FALLS — Hartford native Doug Murphy, Watertown native Bert Olson of Sioux Falls and Chris Long of Presho have become the newest inductees into the South Dakota Golf Association (SDGA) Golf Hall of Fame.

The trio will be inducted during a ceremony to be held during the SDGA banquet at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 15. The banquet will be held at the SDGA Hall of Fame, which is located at the Holiday Inn and Suites at 2040 West Russell Street in Sioux Falls.

Interested parties can send an email to: [email protected] or call 605-740-7085.

Here are the biographies of the new members:

Doug Murphy

Murphy, a 1971 graduate of Watertown High School, was a standout multi-sport athlete. In his senior year, he won the individual title in the state high school golf tournament and led Watertown to the team title. He was inducted into the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.

Murphy achieved great success in sports at Black Hills State University, including an individual championship in the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference and invitations to three national championships.

After living out of state for 20 years, Murphy moved back to South Dakota, where he has won six SDGA titles, including the 2006 SDGA Pre-Senior Championship and the 2013 SDGA Senior Championship. Murphy and Steve Beardsley, also a 1971 WHS graduate, have won three SDGA Mid-Am Two-Man Championships and one SDGA Senior Two-Man Championship. Doug has five holes-in-one, including two on par 4s.

Bert Olson

Olson grew up in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and was a prolific golfer, winning the 1978 City Championship. He returns to Detroit Lakes almost every year to compete in the Pine to Palm Tournament, where he won the 2022 Super Senior Championship and was runner-up in the 2021 Senior Championship. He also qualified for two USGA Mid-Amateur Championships.

Olson and his wife Cindy have won one SDGA Husband-Wife and three SDGA Senior Husband-Wife Championships. He has also been a runner-up in SDGA Championships seven times.

He demonstrates his deep commitment to the growth and future of the sport through contributions to the SDGA Junior Golf Foundation and First Tee of South Dakota, serving on the First Tee Board of Directors from the program’s inception in 2008 through 2022, helping to grow and guide the program.

Chris Lang

Long was introduced to golf by his parents at a young age and played on and off throughout his youth. His competitive golf career began in his late 20s, when he played his first SDGA event in 2001. He earned his first championship title at the 2010 SDGA Amateur and continues to compete for championships today.

Since that first title, Long has won six additional SDGA Championships and 10 runner-up finishes. He competed in the 2011 USGA Public Links Championship and a USA State Team Championship representing South Dakota. He was the 2019 SDGA Male Golfer of the Year and is a mainstay for the amateur team at the SoDak Cup.

In addition to his golfing achievements, Long has made a life of dedication to mentoring people of all ages in golf, sports and life as a long-time coach, athletic official and school administrator in South Dakota. He thanks his parents and family (wife Shelly, daughter Mya and son Cooper) for their continued support of his amateur golf career.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: SD Golf Hall of Fame to Welcome Three New Members in September