Principle Charity Classic leaving Glen Oaks

[CyCrazy]

Did you work for him? He is not easy to work for, I do know that.

No, but I have several personal experiences with him. I do not care for him at all.

[Chitowncy]

If Echo Valley had two nines like the Ridge nine it would be the easy choice, but the other two nines are old and boring.

DMG will not happen. It's USGA events or nothing for them. Plus they are starting some huge renovations very soon, in hopes to get another event.

I think the smart money's on Wakonda, but Echo Valley may be a darkhorse with the recent changes to the Vale. Has anybody played the newly updated Vale to let us know how it plays? I played the Ridge while back in Iowa recently and that is a top quality nine without a doubt. I would put it up there among the best nines in the state. Lots of elevation change and undulating greens, but what about the older course at Echo?

Interesting to see how this all plays out.

[capitalcityguy]

Coming in a little late on this.

The tourney will continue somewhere in/near DM metro. I love Harvester, but it is just too far away from the metro. Would really hurt attendance and ability to garner volunteers IMO...especially since people are now spoiled from having it held at a fairly convenient location. Also, I agree with others that TCI is out due to past poor reviews and also, location.

My money and hope is on Wakonda. The fact that Principal is the title sponsor and a big downtown supporter, I would think they're gunning this to work out...if they can find the space needed on the course. It also puts the tourney just a stones throw away from their downtown offices so it makes logistics handy for corporate clients/prospects they fly in as they can easily see the tourney & visit their headquarters.

[cycloneworld]

What about Legacy in Norwalk? Haven't seen or heard that one thrown out by anyone.

Great course (7,200 yards from the tips and a higher course rating than Glen Oaks). Logistics would take some work.

[Three4Cy]

What about Legacy in Norwalk? Haven't seen or heard that one thrown out by anyone.

Great course (7,200 yards from the tips and a higher course rating than Glen Oaks). Logistics would take some work.

The course needs to be fenced in, otherwise you can't control the admission since people could just walk onto the course. I don't believe the Legacy is completely fenced in.

Wakonda is the front runner IMHO.

[Clonepackof1]

Perhaps you don't realize if they are snobs if you are also one?

Ultimately, I blame the snobs at Glen Oaks for this great tournament leaving Iowa.

So, you're passing judgment on a private citizens choosing to use their property the way they want to? Interesting. If this is such a big deal to the Des Moines community, perhaps the city and county should step up and host it at a municipal course - or pay Glen Oaks to host it. What incentive do the relatively small number of members of that club have to create a pain in their own necks?

I talked to a member there over the weekend and the biggest issues were:

a) Homeowners around the course being extremely inconvenienced for 2-3 weeks each year in the middle of the summer. Pain in the neck to get friends in and out, get yourself in and out, etc.

b) The heavy equipment and everything involved with setting up the tournament has each year resulted in some sort of damage to the streets in the neighborhood. It eventually gets repaired, but it takes awhile.

c) As alluded to earlier, the members and their dues are what keep this course (which has had it's financial issues well chronicled in the past) going. If you lost access to its top asset for 2 peak weeks each year in the middle of a relatively short season in Iowa, you'd probably be a little hacked off that you couldn't use that asset for which you are paying.

Can't say as I blame them.

[matmann22]

What about Legacy in Norwalk? Haven't seen or heard that one thrown out by anyone.

Great course (7,200 yards from the tips and a higher course rating than Glen Oaks). Logistics would take some work.

Is Legacy's clubhouse able to handle something like this tournament ?

[AnkenyClone]

Is Legacy's clubhouse able to handle something like this tournament ?

I don't think Legacy has a locker room which would probably be one of a few issues for the players there. I don't see any way Legacy is considered. Wakonda is really the only decent option in town and fitting people out there is going to be really tough. There's quite a bit of money that would need to go into Wakonda to get it ready for something like this.

[CyCrazy]

I was talking to someone I know tonight that works at Wakonda and he told me its either Wakonda or DMGCC or not in the area. Whether he has all the inside info I doubt it but he would know alot about this story. We shall see.

[michaelrr1]

I was talking to someone I know tonight that works at Wakonda and he told me its either Wakonda or DMGCC or not in the area. Whether he has all the inside info I doubt it but he would know alot about this story. We shall see.

DMGCC already said they won't do it.

[capitalcityguy]

I wonder about Hyperion? They did host a Sr LPGA tournament for a couple years.

[titleist]

I wonder about Hyperion? They did host a Sr LPGA tournament for a couple years.

The Legacy in Norwalk is a challenging enough course from the tips. Not sure if their clubhouse is up to par though compared to some of the country clubs in the area.

[capitalcityguy]

To get an idea how appreciated and successfull this tournament is, check out this article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal by Gary D'Amato, who's a caddie on the tour. Very impressive accolades to the organization of the tourney(which won't change) and the crowds (which should be similar...if stays it Des Moines area). Biggest challenge is the course since Glen Oaks itself is very much appreciated...

I’ve been the defending caddie champ, or “chump," 20 times but none were as memorable as last week in Des Moines, Iowa.

First of all, the Principal Charity Classic is bar none, hands down, no doubt, not even anything close to it, the absolute best tournament on the Champions Tour. I try to tell people it's right up there with the majors but actually its better. The major courses are more challenging but they're not in better condition. They may have a bit more history but they're not as well-received as Glen Oaks. The crowds lining the finishing holes are four and five deep and the folks surrounding the par-3 14th have a NASCAR mentality and go crazy when a birdie putt drops

.

Link: Kaddy Korner: It feels great to be the defending champ - JSOnline

[Cloner97]

I wonder about Hyperion? They did host a Sr LPGA tournament for a couple years.

OMG, all of those guys would shoot in the low 60's for the entire tournament. Just look at the results from the Sani every year. I would put money that there'd be at least one sub 60 round

[hook40]

I know of a course in my neck of the woods that has made a big push for this. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out.