New S.D. Golf Hall of Fame inductees include Doug Murphy, Bert Olson and Chris Long

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

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

Those interested in attending can email: hof@sdga.org or call 605-740-7085.

Here are the biographies of the new inductees:

Doug Murphy

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

Murphy moved on to have great success in the sport at Black Hills State University, including a South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference individual championship and invitations to three national championships.

After living outside the 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 gradaute, have won three SDGA Mid-Am Two-Man Championships and one SDGA Senior Two-Man Championships. Doug has five holes-in-one, including two on par 4s.

Bert Olson

Olson grew up in Detroit Lakes (Minn.) and was a standout golfer, winning the City Championship in 1978. He returns to Detroit Lakes almost every year to play in the Pine to Palm tournament, winning the 2022 Super Senior Championship and 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 also has seven runner-up finishes in SDGA Championships.

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

Chris Long

Long was introduced to golf at a young age by his parents and enjoyed playing casually throughout his youth. His competitive golf career began in his late 20s, playing in his first SDGA event in 2001. He earned his first Championship title at the 2010 SDGA Amateur, and is still vying for championships today.

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

Beyond his golfing accomplishments, Long has a lifetime of dedication to mentoring people of all ages in golf, sport, and life as a long-time coach, sports 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: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com