13th Annual Swalley Memorial Tournament draws 44 Teams, honors family legacy

MARTIN — Under clear skies and summerlike warmth, the 13th Annual Zondo and Leroy Swalley Memorial Golf Tournament brought 44 two-person scramble teams to Markota Acres Golf Course on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

The event, a staple of the Martin golf season, once again blended competition with community remembrance. Organizers expressed deep gratitude to the City of Martin, the Markota Acres Board of Directors, and course staff James Begdeman, Matt, Aaron, Hayden and Gaven Risse for presenting a course described as “perfect” by participants. Staff led by Samantha Little Eagle kept the bar and restaurant running smoothly throughout the day.

Also, thanks to Samantha Little Eagle and the staff working the bar and restaurant. Special thanks to the Re-Member Organization for providing the Pulled Pork Burritos as well as Emma Swalley and Mandy Morrissette who served an excellent salad and hot chicken dumpling soup.

Special thanks to the score keeper, Ben Bordeaux.

The tournament awarded $1,700 to each of the four flights and distributed $1,400 in pin prizes donated in honor or memory of community members. Winners included:

• Hole 1 Long Putt — In memory of Russell Bordeaux by Shani Rae Bordeaux. Winner: Samantha Little Eagle.

• Hole 2 Closest to the Pin — In memory of Zondo and Leroy Swalley. Winner: Tristan Richards.

• Hole 3 Longest Putt — In memory of Albert Long by John Long. Winner: Team Risse.

• Hole 4 Closest to the Pin — In honor of Lakota youth and Larry Swalley by the Oglala Lakota Children’s Justice Center. Winner: Bert Shields.

• Hole 5 Closest Second Shot — In memory of Leroy Swalley by Jim Wyke and family. Winner: Team Beardt.

• Hole 6 Longest Putt — In memory of Jim and Wanblee Burnette by Jay Burnette. Winners: Will Spotted Eagle and Luke Lunderman.

• Hole 7 Longest Putt — In memory of Leroy Swalley by Margaret Wyke and JR Swalley. Winner: TJ Halligan.

• Hole 8 Longest Putt — In memory of Tehja White Pipe by Lisa White Pipe. Winner: Luke Lunderman.

• Hole 9 Closest Second Shot — In memory of Zondo and Leroy Swalley and all veterans by Fast Funds and Shawn Swallow ($200). Winner: Anthony Builenburg.

• Hole 9 Longest Putt — In memory of Zondo and Leroy Swalley by All Stop. Winners: Pat Clifford and Jon Red Owl.

• Hole 9 Longest Drive, Seniors — In memory of Zondo and Leroy Swalley by the Swalley family. Winner: Scott Bair.

• Hole 9 Longest Drive, Women — In memory of Marcella Swalley Prue and Joe Prue by Kathy Pure Owens. Winner: Brittny Has No Horse.

• Hole 9 Longest Drive, Blue Tee — In memory of Zondo Swalley by Larry Swalley. Winner: Lars Backward.

Flight Winners

• Championship Flight — Champions: Mike and Matt Beardt; 2nd: Bryce and Austin Hammer; 3rd: Dan and Red Prue; 4th: Lars Backward and Brittny Has No Horse.

• First Flight — Champions: Clyde and Tanner Colombe; 2nd: Team Marcus Heath; 3rd: Tyler Wright and Trevor Farmer; 4th: Cody Whipple Jr. and Robert Whipple. Tribal

• Second Flight — Champions:  Ron and Jackson Rockers; 2nd: Team Ben Thunder Bolt; 3rd: Lang Brown Eyes and Mike Solderlin; 4th: Stormy Halligan and Mark Tucker. 

• Third Flight — Champions: Ryder Byerley and Myles Muilenburg; 2nd: Keith Waln and Robert Sedelmeyer; 3rd: Mike and Carrie Hammer; 4th: Bobbie Olausen and Faith Richards.

Organizers closed the day with a message of appreciation: “Lila wopila tanka to each and every one of you who came out to compete. Have a great summer — golf on — from the Swalley family and relatives.”

The post 13th Annual Swalley Memorial Tournament draws 44 Teams, honors family legacy first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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