Wakonda Club members were agitated when word spread that hundreds had been cut down on their private, members-only course.
Aaron Krueger is the director of golf at Wakonda. He said that the tree removal was part of a major overhaul of the course, which includes a new, more efficient irrigation system. The club plans to replant the fairways and tees as well as install new tee boxes, improve drainage and overall course maintenance.
Wakonda Club ranks No. 5th in Iowa on Golfweek’s Best List of Top Private Courses.
Krueger stated that all the issues we are addressing will make the course more efficient, both from a maintenance and playability standpoints as well as from an enjoyment perspective. It’s a very exciting project for us.
In Des Moines, the 18-hole William Langford-designed golf club was opened in 1922. According to Wakonda’s website, it was built with the goal of being the “most beautiful course west of New York” and to be among the top-ranked courses in the country.
It was the home of the Principal Charity Classic in 2013. This annual PGA Tour Champions tournament raises funds for Iowa children’s charities.
Rheanne Kinney (general manager and chief operating officer) stated that Tyler Rae was hired by the club to oversee improvements that would ensure that the course is sustainable for at least 100 years. She stated that part of the work included removing 180 oak trees that were over 80 years old, mainly due to their health.
She said that the club will plant 170 oak trees this fall.
“Most trees in our area are the same age so they all fail at once. Kinney stated that this is a major problem and we don’t want all our trees dying simultaneously. We are proactive in making sure we have enough trees to continue growing and that there is no end to the potential for them to die.
More: These five top Iowa golf courses are ranked by Golfweek
Kinney stated that an arborist had evaluated the trees on her property. She said that many of the trees were in danger and were now dying.
After winning the 2022 Principal Charity Classic, Jerry Kelly celebrates at the 18th hole. This was in Des Moines (Iowa) on June 5, 2022. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images).
Kinney stated that many of the trees he had cut were hollow and rotting or diseased.
The Principal Charity Classic this year will take place June 1-4. After Father’s Day on June 18, renovations will begin. The course will remain open for nine holes through July 9. After that, the course will close for the rest of the season. In September, new trees will be planted.
Wakonda Club will host the 2024 Principal Charity Classic.
Kinney stated, “We are all looking at the future club and being part of the Des Moines Community.”
Some members left the golf club after the announcement of the tree removal and renovation. However, it is not clear if they did so because of the plans. Kinney stated that they usually see members leave when they undertake large projects. The club didn’t disclose the number of members who left.
Rae, the architect declined to comment on this story. The Register was also unable to reach an arborist who evaluated these trees.
Noelle AlvizGransee is a reporter for the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at [email protected].
