Super Dane Wilson talks hosting the Principal Charity Classic following a $7.4M course renovation

Unfortunately, in recent years, spring has arrived at Des Moines, Iowa — the home of Wakonda Club, which has hosted the PGA Tour Champions’ Principal Charity Classic every year since 2013 — later than it should.

As a result, Superintendent Dane Wilson has generally only had six weeks of reasonable growing weather while preparing the course for the tournament.

Not to mention, Wilson and his team members have worked on a variety of projects, primarily tree removal, during the last few winters. In turn, they’ve had to oversee significant course repairs in the spring, leading to even less time for tournament preparation.

Fully restoring Wakonda Club

Aside from tree removal, Wilson also oversaw a $7.4 million restoration project in 2023, along with golf course architect Tyler Rae. Focused on returning Wakonda Club’s course to its original state (when it first opened in 1922) as much as possible, the project included various aspects.

For example, Midwest Irrigation installed a new irrigation system. To open several playing corridors, trees were removed, while five greens were rebuilt. Although the other 13 greens weren’t rebuilt, they were expanded. To ensure the greens maintain their playability after heavy rains, Wilson and Rae installed turfslit drainage on each.

They re-built and re-grassed each tee box, re-grassed and expanded the fairways (from 24 to 34 acres), and restored all the original bunkers, leading to a rise in square footage, from 70,000 to 160,000.

Wakonda Club recently completed a massive bunker project, led by Tyler Rae, which restored several grassed-over bunkers from the course’s original 1922 design. (Photo: Wakonda Club)

“To achieve these goals, we began the mainline installation four weeks ahead of the 2023 Principal Charity Classic, as we completed roughly 60 percent of the main line in that time frame,” Wilson says. “We then closed the golf course on June 21 and began work with Wadsworth Golf Construction.”

Wilson’s staff of 22 agronomy professionals offered him assistance, as they performed numerous tasks associated with the project — removing the old irrigation system, preparing and seeding fairways and removing and replacing sod for green expansions.

“Throughout the project, we continued to monitor progress and hit checkpoints, adjusting as necessary,” he says. “All seeding was completed by September 25, and all contractors exited the property on October 7.”

In addition to several bunker restorations, Wakonda Club will feature new greens on Nos. 2, 5, 9, 15 and 17, tee boxes and several expanded fairways. (Photo: Wakonda Club)

Along with reseeding the entire course, Wilson is focused on implementing new ideas and technology that either assists or complements his agronomic practices. For instance, this year he’s instituting Advanced Scoreboards’ turfRad system, which measures fairways’ soil moisture whenever his staff mows.

“This will enable us to be as cost effective as possible when we apply water throughout the property, as our irrigation is fed from the city municipality,” he adds.

Set up for success

In preparation for the 2024 Principal Charity Classic, Wilson will receive support from the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association (IGCSA), which is comprised of superintendents and vendors. Additionally, some of his friends and former co-workers (all superintendents) will volunteer, even though they live in states like Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan and Virginia.

“I’m humbled by this, as they’re invested in my — and Wakonda Club’s — success for the event every year,” he says.

As Wilson focuses on his past experiences with PGA Tour Champions and Principal, who currently hosts the Principal Charity Classic, he advises other superintendents to establish a relationship with the host company.

Since 2007, the Principal Charity Classic has raised more than $53.7 million for Iowa children. (Photo: Wakonda Club)

“We (Principal and Wakonda Club) strive to work together to not only ensure the event is successful, but also have constructive conversations on how to maintain the golf course’s integrity,” he says. “In doing so, our tournament setup process is as seamless as possible, and its impact on the golf course is minimal. I recommend that other superintendents follow suit.”

Between Wakonda Club’s working relationship with Principal and its course’s recent renovations, Wilson believes this year’s Principal Charity Classic will be the best one yet.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how the renovation changes PGA Tour Champions members’ strategies,” he says. “We’re excited about the impact it will have on our membership too, as we prepare for the future and Wakonda Club’s next 100 years.”