Sanford International names Owen Ragsdale 2026 Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Sanford International has named Owen Ragsdale of Madison, South Dakota, the 2026 Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador. Ragsdale, 10, will represent the Sanford Children’s Hospital at tournament events throughout the year.
Since 2023, Owen has been receiving treatment for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a rare childhood hip disorder that occurs when the blood supply to the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) is temporarily lost, causing the bone to die, collapse, and eventually heal. Bound to a wheelchair from 2023-24, he had surgery last April on his leg and hip. He sees Jared Daniel, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Sanford Health every eight weeks for checkups.
Owen loves sports – especially race cars, something his family has bonded over. Owen’s family includes his mother, Katie, his father, Chance, who is a Company First Sargeant in the Army National Guard, as well as two older brothers.
“Owen is one of the most resilient kids you will ever meet, and it is our privilege and joy to welcome him to our team this year. We love his smile and enthusiasm, and we know is going to be an incredible ambassador,” said Davis Trosin, tournament director of the Sanford International. “The Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador program is a truly special part of each tournament year. It is a way for us to honor a brave and inspiring person each year and highlight the care teams that change the lives of children and their families every day.”
As this year’s Ambassador, Ragsdale will play a prominent role throughout Tournament Week. His responsibilities will include interviewing players and serving as a visible presence at key events. The highlight of his role will come on Friday, September 11, when he has the honor of hitting the tournament’s ceremonial opening tee shot to officially kick off the first round of play.
Ragsdale is the tenth Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador, joining Jaxon and Jeren Scheff (2018), Avery Hill (2019), Ben Wieman (2020), Cobey DeSchepper (2021), Sam Matheson (2022), Landyn Keiser (2023), Holly Huntimer (2024) and Emmett Zorr (2025).
For more information about the Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador program and previous representatives, visit sanfordinternational.com.
About the Sanford International
The Sanford International, a PGA TOUR Champions event contested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be played at Minnehaha Country Club the week of September 7-13, featuring a $2.2million purse. In its ninth year, the Sanford International will continue to focus on charitable giving and making a lasting impact in Sioux Falls. For more information about the tournament, please visit sanfordinternational.com. You can also follow the tournament on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
