Wakonda Club unveils golf course restoration for Principal Charity Classic

DES MOINES, Iowa — This weekend sees the Principal Charity Classic golf tournament hosted at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines. To prepare for the tournament, the Wakonda Club renovated its golf course to reflect how it looked in 1922 when it first opened.

“Our biggest thing was to get the golf course back to what it was in 1922, and we’re trying to hold back,” said Dane Wilson, course superintendent at the Wakonda Club, “With modern technology, we have to make some adjustments. to make it work, but I think the most important thing is restoring the bunkers and widening the playing corridors.”

The Wakonda Club closed its golf course in June 2023 to begin renovations.

Aaron Krueger, director of golf at the Wakonda Club, said he is excited for golfers to play the newly renovated course.

“To keep this golf club the way it deserves to be architecturally, as a member of the Des Moines community and as a member of the larger golf course architecture community, I think it’s really going to elevate the level of golf here and I’m really excited to have these great players, but our members and others,” Krueger said.

The premier Charity Classic raises money for Iowa children’s charities. It runs until Sunday and you can find more information or buy tickets to the event here.