The Principal Charity Classic announced today that total proceeds of $575,000 from the 2007 Champions Tour tournament will be given to local charities.

Five charities that specifically benefit children, Blank Children’s Hospital, Bravo, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, United Way of Central Iowa and Variety – The Children’s Charity, will each receive $110,000, for a total of $550,000. The remaining $25,000 will benefit a number of charity partners that provided on-site services during the event.

“The goal of the 2007 Principal Charity Classic was to increase the amount of money raised for charity; specifically nonprofit organizations that support children, or that are ‘FORE Our Kids.’ The tournament surpassed expectations, and brought the community together,” said J. Barry Griswell, chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc., the title sponsor of the event. “This announcement is something we all should be proud of, including the spectators, the volunteers, the tournament sponsors and the players.”

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates The Principal Charity Classic generated a direct economic impact of $3 million to $4 million for the region, including increased business for area hotels, restaurants, stores and entertainment venues.