By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - University of Sioux Falls Head Golf Coach Wade Merry has announced the signing of Hayden Tenopir (Lincoln, Neb.) to the Cougar men's golf program. Tenopir is the final signee for the 2026–27 recruiting class and will join the program in the fall of 2026 following his prep career at Lincoln Northeast High School.
Hayden Tenopir – Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Northeast High School
Tenopir comes to Sioux Falls as one of the top golfers in Nebraska, highlighted by winning the Nebraska Junior Optimist qualifier to earn a bid to the International Optimist Golf Tournament at Doral in Miami, Florida. A four-year participant in the Nebraska Class A State Golf Tournament, he placed eighth at the 2025 state championship. Tenopir was a four-year captain of the golf team and also served as a captain for the basketball program, where he earned All-Conference honors in 2026 and was named the recipient of the Bob Cook Award. A standout in the classroom, he earned Academic All-Conference recognition in both golf and basketball and was named Academic All-State.
"I am very grateful Hayden has chosen USF to get his degree and further his competitive golf career," Merry said. "He is one of the top players in Nebraska and should be a really good golfer in the NSIC the next four years. With this year's group of kids joining the Class of 2025, I have a really solid core of golfers who are going to push each other in practice and workouts to be their best. The competition to make the traveling team is going to be fun to watch develop."
A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Tenopir is the son of Ryan Tenopir and Ashley Adams and has one sibling, Avary. He will officially join the Cougar men's golf program for the 2026–27 season.
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