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Principal Charity Classic will move to Wakonda Club

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Wakonda Club in Des Moines will host the 2013 Principal Charity Classic, event organizers announced Tuesday. The annual Champions Tour golf tournament this year raised a record $917,729 for local charitable organizations, up from the $750,000 donated in 2011.

“The 2012 tournament was record-breaking in many ways,” said Larry Zimpleman, chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc., in a release. “Thanks to the incredible support of all those involved, the charitable impact of The Principal Charity Classic has been taken to new levels, benefiting our most valuable asset – our kids.”

Principal announced in June that it had renewed a three-year agreement to remain the title sponsor of the event, but that it would seek a new venue for the tournament, which has been held at Glen Oaks Country Club since 2006. The annual event attracted more than 75,000 fans this year and packed an estimated economic punch of $20.8 million for Central Iowa.  

“We’re eager to bring The Principal Charity Classic to the heart of our city and showcase downtown Des Moines to a national audience,” said Mary O’Keefe, chair of the tournament and a senior vice president for Principal. “Above all, we’re honored to partner with Wakonda Club to bring Champions Tour golfers to one of Iowa’s most legendary golf courses.”

Donations from the 2012 tournament will be distributed to five “FORE Our Kids” charities, as well as 92 Birdies for Charity organizations. The five “FORE Our Kids” charities are Blank Children’s Hospital, Bravo Greater Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa and Variety – The Children’s Charity of Iowa.