Even though northeastern and north central South Dakota golfers may typically be behind many of their counterparts across the state early each spring, they usually hold their own by season's end.That should be the case again during the 2026 South Dakota high school golf season, which again features Class AA, A and B girls and Class B boys.Area squads include Aberdeen Central and Watertown in Class AA girls; and Aberdeen Roncalli, Groton Area, Milbank, Sisseton, Sioux Valley and Tiospa Zina (Region 1) and Redfield (Region 3) in Class A girls.Class B boys and/or girls' teams include Aberdeen Christian, Britton-Hecla, Clark-Willow Lake, Doland, Edmunds Central, Faulkton Area, Florence-Henry, Frederick Area, Great Plains Lutheran, Ipswich, Langford Area, Leola, Warner, Waubay-Summit, Waverly-South Shore, Webster Area and Wilmot (Region 1); Arlington, Castlewood, De Smet, Deubrook Area, Deuel, Elkton-Lake benton, Hamlin, Hitchcock-Tulare, Iroquois-Lake Preston and Oldham-Ramona-Rutland (Region 2); and Eureka, Gettysburg, Herreid, Hoven, Mobridge-Pollock and Selby Area (Region 5).State tourneys are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, June 1-2 at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown (Class AA girls), Two Rivers Club in North Sioux City (Class A girls), Edgebrook Golf Course in Brookings (Class B girls) and the Brookings Country Club (Class Boys).Class AA GirlsState champion Olivia Braun and fellow state medalists Emma Dohrer (fourth), Kyley Wirebaugh (fifth) and Chloe Vikander (tied for 21st) carried coach Kim Zimmerman's Aberdeen Central squad to its first state title last spring. The Golden Eagles should challenge again for top honors this spring.Braun, who has enjoyed success in events around the country, and fellow senior Dohrer are each already five-time state medalists and junior Wirebaugh and senior Vikander two-time state medalists.

Eighth-graders Genevieve Golz and Carli Withers are placed at state last spring."Obviously, Aberdeen Central is going to be one of the teams to beat along with Mitchell O'Gorman and other Sioux Falls area schools Harrisburg and Brandon Valley," Watertown coach Corey Neale said. Sophomore Gabi Olson, who placed sixth at state last spring after tying for fifth in 2024, is the leading returnee for Watertown. Junior Kreu Johnson also played at state last spring and freshmen Emma Olson and Berkley Fligge are also returnees who were unable to play in the state tourney last spring.2025 STATE AA & A GIRLS GOLF: Medalist Olivia Braun carries Aberdeen Central girls golf to AA state titleThe Arrows didn't have enough golfers to compete for the state title last spring after winning the Class AA championship in 2024."Last year, was really more about us getting our feet wet and gaining some experience," Neale, who will be assisted by Jayden Engels this spring, said.

"This year should be a little better. We have four returnees back and Gabi should be right there competing for the state individual title."Watertown and Aberdeen Central are each slated to open their season on Thursday, April 16 in a meet at Harrisburg. The Arrows haven't had much time on the course so far and will look to improve along with the weather as they gain experience.Watertown & Aberdeen Central Schedule — Both teams also play April 21 in Huron Quadrangular, April 28 at Pierre Invite, April 30 at Moccasin Creek Country Club in Aberdeen, May 7 at Huron Invite, May 8 at Yankton Invite, May 15 at Mitchell Invite, May 19 in Watertown Invite at Cattail Crossing, May 21 at Brookings Invite, May 22 at Brandon Valley Invite and May 26 in the Eastern South Dakota Conference tournament at Moccasin Creek in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen is also scheduled to play April 24 in a meet at Brandon and May 4 in the Sioux Falls Invite.Class A GirlsSt. Thomas More captured its first-ever state Class A title last spring, ending Sioux Falls Christian's four-year run of titles. Aberdeen Roncalli finished third and should again be the area team to watch with returning state medalists in senior Claire Crawford (second), senior Grace Seyer (tied for 15th) and freshman Mackenzie Wegehaupt (tied for 19th).

Ava Danielson, another senior, just missed medaling by placing 28th. Crawford is also ready a four-time state medalist.Sisseton freshman Kenzley Heath is back after placing eighth in state last spring. Her senior teammate Elliot Hortness medaled by tying for 24th at state in 2024.The Region 1A tourney is scheduled for May 20 at Dell Rapids.

Region 3A is scheduled for May 19 at Mitchell.Class B GirlsDell Rapids St. Mary was another first-time state champion in girls golf last spring, taking the Class B tourney.Clark-Willow Lake junior standout Brynn Roehrich repeated at the state individual champion in the tourney that was held at the Prairie Winds Golf Club in Watertown. She also finished second in 2023 and tied for eighth in 2022.

Her sister Faith, an eighth-grader, also medaled (12th) and helped the Cyclones finish third in the state meet. Clark and C