Principal Charity Classic/PGA Champions

[dogbo]

It looks like there will be a little star power added to the pro-am portion of the tournament this year...

Actor Rob Lowe to play at Glen Oaks June 6th!

Actor Rob Lowe has committed to play golf in the CIBER Pro-Am Wednesday, June 6th of The Principal Charity Classic at Glen Oaks Country Club.

Lowe is in his second season playing Robert McCallister on ABC’s drama “Brothers & Sisters.” From 1999-2003 Lowe starred as Sam Seaborn on “The West Wing.” For his work on the NBC series, he earned an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations.

Lowe made his feature film debut in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.” He went on to star in such other popular dramas as “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “About Last Night” and “Bad Influence,” as well as the blockbuster comedies “Wayne’s World” and “Tommy Boy.”

Here's more info on the entire tournament http://www.principalcharityclassic.com/

[DMRyan]

Looks like some fairly big name golfers in the senior circuit will be attending this. Hopefully, it doesn't lose any of its crowd appeal over the past few years.

[NOG]

Looks like there will be a preview show for this on CBS, Thursday June 6 at 6:30 P.M. I am guessing this is a local show done by KCCI, but can't tell.

[dogbo]

Here's a new event tied to the upcoming Principal Charity Classic:

Networking on the Green - a Young Professional Event

The Principal Charity Classic presents the first annual Networking on The Green event May 29th and 30th. Networking on The Green is your opportunity to network with ten of Central Iowa’s top CEO’s. This event will also feature keynote speaker J. Barry Griswell, former executive chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group and author of Adversity Paradox as well as great golf action and a live 80/35 concert. (Artist will be announced at later date)

SCHEDULE
Friday

2:30 pm Arrive

3:00 pm Opening/Welcome

3:15 pm Key Note Speaker

3:40 pm Intro of Executives

4:00 pm Networking Exercise

5:00 pm Reconnect

5:30 pm Concert

Saturday

11:00 am Executive re-connect reception



COST
$60 Networking on The Green event

$10 Additional golf event tickets



REGISTRATION
ONLINE

http://WWW.44NETWORK.COM/ONTHEGREEN

MAIL

The Principal Charity Classic
2771 104th St. Suite I
Urbandale, IA 50322
REGISTATION FORM

QUESTIONS
Please call 515-778-2747

[DMRyan]

The 2009 Principal Charity Classic starts next week at Glen Oaks Country Club. Aside from notable golfers Hale Irwin, Ben Crenshaw and Fuzzy Zoeller, there are several celebrities/athletes coming to play a charity event as well, including Michael J. Fox, Sage Rosenfels, Tony Boselli, Warrick Dunn and Derek Brooks, among others.

Looks like the 80/35 Music Festival folks will be putting on a free concert on May 29th as well.



http://www.principalcharityclassic.com/pcc-players.php

[dogbo]

Good news for the metro! I think many were wondering if Des Moines was going to lose their Champions Tour event after Principal's sponsorship ran out after 2010. Early word is that Principal has picked up the event for at least two more years. I'm sure there will be something official in the media soon.

IMO, professional sporting events like this help give a metro legitimacy (not to mention all the money that is funneled to local charities). I'm glad we aren't' losing this anytime soon.

[dogbo]

Hey...not a bad get...

Teri Hatcher to Play in Pro-Am at The Principal Charity Classic
(West Des Moines, Iowa) – Teri Hatcher, star of ABC’s hit show “Desperate Housewives”, will play in the Pro-Am at The Principal Charity Classic on Wednesday, June 2, 2010

http://www.principalcharityclassic.com/TeriHatcher.php

[dogbo]

This is a good problem to have...

Principal Charity Classic: Tournament's biggest issue might be running out of tickets
Updated 4:05 pm
By Rick Brown • ribrown@dmreg.com • May 29, 2010

Jamie Alt has a problem. The tournament director for this week’s Principal Charity Classic had 70,000 any-day tickets printed for the Champions Tour golf event at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines this week.

“Right now we’re concerned about having enough tickets,’’ Alt said. “It could become an issue if ticket sales continue like they have been.’’

Just over 10,000 of the any-day tickets remain heading into this weekend.

“Usually we order plenty to have on hand,’’ Alt said. “It will be interesting to see what happens.’’

Link to full article: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... eedfetcher

[dogbo]

Great to hear this tournament is having such success:

Record crowds, record donation

The Principal Charity Classic donated $620,000 to children’s charities
Attendance at the tournament was more than 74,000
The tournament generated an estimated economic impact of $20.8 million for Central Iowa

Nick Price took home the trophy, but children’s charities and the Des Moines community were the big winners of The Principal Charity Classic last May.

The Principal announced yesterday evening that The Principal Charity Classic will donate $620,000 to local children’s charities—a record amount in the tournament’s four year history. Over the past four years, the tournament has raised a total of $2.3 million for local children's charities which include the five “FORE Our Kids” charities:

Blank Children’s Hospital
BRAVO Greater Des Moines
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines (tournament host organization)
United Way of Central Iowa
Variety—The Children’s Charity

“We’re thrilled with this level support for children’s charities, and we look forward to taking this charitable event to new levels in 2011,” says Larry Zimpleman, chairman, president and CEO.
Record crowds; economic impact

The 2010 event also attracted a record crowd of 74,000 to watch the PGA Champions Tour golfers. The PGA Tour and an Iowa State University study estimates the tournament generated an economic impact of $20.8 million for the Central Iowa region, including increased business for area hotels, restaurants, shopping and other entertainment venues.

The Principal Charity Classic, one of the key sponsorships for The Principal, will return to Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa, in 2011 and 2012.

[dogbo]

According to media reports, it was another very successful year this past weekend. It sounds like they set both daily attendance records as well as the overall attendance total records. As I was driving to work this morning, I heard attendance was just short of 75K for Friday through Sunday.

I expect to see this tourney continue to do well and probably continue to increase in popularity. As with so many other spectator sporting events these days, the organizers have queued into enhancing “the fan experience” which seems to always include some sort of adult beverage element. To this end, there are now two “party decks” located on the back nine that seem very, very popular. There was nothing like this 3 or 4 years ago.

The players voted this the #1 stop on the Champion’s tour last year and there seems to be a belief this will be repeated.

[Keepgrowingdsm]

I have taken my family here the last 4 years and we love it. The free shuttles, inexpensive tickets and friendly golfers make it a great event. I spoke with 3 people who traveled here from Iowa City and 2 from Omaha to watch the event. They were staying in local hotels and eating at our restaurants so I'm sure there is an economic benefit as well!

[wildbill]

Glen Oaks is passing on hosting the Principal Charity Classic for the foreseeable future, after Principal signs on for three more years of sponsorship. The way the article reads on the Register, it was a surprise for PFG, too.

“This wasn’t something we were expecting,” O’Keefe said. “That’s job one now (finding a new course). I’m confident we’ll find a great new home for the tournament. And changing could be a positive thing. It’s a new opportunity.

The GM of Glen Oaks said it's not about money, they want a "breather." Turning down money and exposure seems odd to me, but with everything that's happened in Glen Oaks the last few years, not much surprises me out there.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120619/SPORTS1301/120619006/Glen-Oaks-decision-It-s-time-to-pass-the-torch-?nclick_check=1

[dogbo]

hummmm.....posted a comment on Glen Oaks opting out, but doesn't seem to have posted to the forum. Anyway, here's info from Glen Oaks:

Dear Glen Oaks Homeowners,

After serving as the host club for the Principal Charity Classic for eleven of the past twelve years, Glen Oaks has elected not to renew its contract with the tournament at this point in time. Glen Oaks has been honored to have helped build the tradition and success associated with the Principal Charity Golf Classic. We thank Principal, the PGA, Bruno Event Team, and the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation for working with us to pass the torch to another venue within central Iowa. We would also like to thank the Glen Oaks Membership, staff, and Homeowners Association for their tremendous support. Glen Oaks will do all that we can to ensure a smooth and seamless transition that benefits all the event’s many constituents, including the players, spectators, and of course, the numerous charities that receive proceeds from this popular community event. I assure you this decision has had many hours of discussion and was not taken lightly. Due to Principal’s strong commitment the tournament’s rich tradition and the tremendous community support, we believe the Classic will continue its success well into the future.

Sincerely,

Bill Kirkendall
General Manager

Interesting now to speculate which course might take up the tourney. Makes a difference to nearby hotels/restaurants. Because of this, I'd love to see Wakonda CC host the tourney (boost for downtown), but I don't believe there is enough room to support the 25K fans that show up for the tourney on weekends....not to mention the corporate tents.

I'd have to say Des Moines CC is the odds on favorate. Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City didn't fair well the one time they hosted, so I think they're out. Not sure if any other metro courses are of PGA caliber.

[dogbo]

^^ just read the link. They have talked with Wakonda. Cool.

[casbern]

Echo could possibly host, and Waveland's history could lend itself well for a tourney.

[dogbo]

^^^ I have a vague idea where this is. Are there enough hotels nearby?

[DMRyan]

Interesting turn of events. Was it the well-to-do homeowners that were influential in steering this away? Damage to the course that an event of this size causes? Deep down was it really tied to financial issues?

Unfortunately, I can't see another golf course in the metro that was as well-suited to host this event. I agree with dogbo on the number of PGA-worthy courses around being quite limited (throwing out Bos Laden and The Harvester due to their distance from Des Moines).

Aside from the Des Moines Golf and Country Club and the Tournament Club, could Copper Creek, The Legacy, or the Hyperion Field Club be worthy contenders also?

And I would love for this to be played at Waveland because it's such a unique course, but I just don't think it's in good enough shape or that the facilities could accomodate 75,000+ spectators.

[Mastermind]

Interesting turn of events. Was it the well-to-do homeowners that were influential in steering this away? Damage to the course that an event of this size causes? Deep down was it really tied to financial issues?

Unfortunately, I can't see another golf course in the metro that was as well-suited to host this event. I agree with dogbo on the number of PGA-worthy courses around being quite limited (throwing out Bos Laden and The Harvester due to their distance from Des Moines).

Aside from the Des Moines Golf and Country Club and the Tournament Club, could Copper Creek, The Legacy, or the Hyperion Field Club be worthy contenders also?

And I would love for this to be played at Waveland because it's such a unique course, but I just don't think it's in good enough shape or that the facilities could accomodate 75,000+ spectators.

Hyperion is on "the list". They used to host a womans PGA tour event here. I think DM Golf or Wakonda will win out though.

I think TCI and Waveland are out because they are a little too strenuous for senior golfers

[dogbo]

I forgot Hyperion...I could see that as a possibity.

Copper Creek is not quality enough by PGA standards IMO. I don't know enough about Legacy to have an opinion.

Too bad The Harvester isn't closer to DSM....that would be a great course for this.

[Emil]

DM Golf and Country Club says they aren't interested.

http://www.kcci.com/news/sports/Course- ... index.html

[Mastermind]

DM Golf and Country Club says they aren't interested.

http://www.kcci.com/news/sports/Course- ... index.html

Id love to have it up here in Johnston

[mirage1]

I really hope a meeting of the minds gets it back to Glen Oaks, where it clearly belongs. Not that I hold out much hope of a rethinking of that, however no other club in the area makes any sense in comparason.

[dogbo]

^Agreed on both count. Best location in the metro but probably unlikely they'll change their minds.

[DMRyan]

I still have questions on why these courses are giving this tournament the boot and/or the cold shoulder? Wear and tear on the course? Too much financial commitment?

[dogbo]

I assume wear & tear and maybe even some loss of exclusivity that normally comes with a higher-end country club membership?

[MusicMan]

I still have questions on why these courses are giving this tournament the boot and/or the cold shoulder? Wear and tear on the course? Too much financial commitment?

Glen Oaks only made about a quarter million on the event. Not a lot when you consider members couldn't play for 10 days during prime golf season, and the wear and tear it put on the course.

My best guess is Legacy. It is long enough, has lots of extra space nearby, and has hosted a tournament there before.

[DMRyan]

Legacy or Tournament Club? I didn't know The Legacy had ever hosted a pro tournament before.

[dogbo]

^^ Legacy hasn't ever hosted a PGA level tournament...or even lower level (e.g....Nationwide tour) event that I"m aware of.

[MusicMan]

^^ Legacy hasn't ever hosted a PGA level tournament...or even lower level (e.g....Nationwide tour) event that I"m aware of.

They have hosted the Gateway Tour (a step below the Nationwide tour) championship 3 times.

[dogbo]

If you want an idea how valued this tournament is to the players/caddies on the Champions Tour, check out this blog from one of the caddies who’s blogs get reproduced in the Milwaukie Journal-Sentinel. High praise for the tournament & related organization around it, but also (gulp) Glen Oaks itself.

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.

The back nine at Glen Oaks may be the most challenging on tour with a variety of holes producing a lot of excitement. Anything can happen -- and we can attest to that

Link: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/15 ... ewestfirst