Sponsored by Principal, powered by Iowa kids
The Principal Charity Classic comes together to raise money for Iowa children’s charities through the support of Principal and the work of Eventive Sports. Since 2007, the event has contributed more than $53.7 million to charities who invest in the future of Iowa kids. This always exciting and family-friendly event greatly contributes to the economic vitality and quality of life in Central Iowa while bringing a strong field of professional PGA TOUR Champions players to Des Moines.
Don’t miss out on Des Moines’ summer kick-off event.
Enjoy time with friends while supporting your community next summer at the Principal Charity Classic. Sit back, relax, and watch PGA TOUR Champions golfers compete in Iowa’s only PGA TOUR Champions stop, or explore dozens of other activities suited for business professionals and families alike.
Steve Nieman
Tournament Director
Steve began serving as tournament director for the Principal Charity Classic in early 2022. Prior to serving in this role, Steve served as the championship director for the 2019 U.S. Senior Open at Notre Dame and the tournament director for the PGA TOUR Champions event in Biloxi for eight years. He has a wealth of experience in sponsor and client relations, budget management and tournament administration. He earned a business degree in Communications and Public Relations from Drury University in Springfield, MO. Steve and his wife Fiona have a permanent residence in Pegram, TN just west of Nashville. When not working, he and Fiona enjoying traveling the world and being outside no matter the activity; Steve is especially fond of fishing. They are blessed with three children Chandler, Connor, and Emma.
Alex McCarty
Sales Director
Alex started his career in 2014 as the Tournament Manager with the Principal Charity Classic. Throughout the last seven years he has managed elite professional golf tournaments in including the BMW Championship and U.S. Senior Open. He is a native Iowan and a graduate of Simpson College. As Sales Director, Alex will work with our many sponsors and continue to grow support for Iowa Children’s Charities. When not in the office, Alex enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, daughter and two dogs.
Skyler Hoth
Sales & Special Events Manager
Skyler spent the last four and a half with the Iowa Wolves Basketball Team leading their ticket sales department to one of the top attendance leaders in the league. He is an Iowa native and a graduate of Upper Iowa University. As the Sales and Special Events Manager, Skyler will work with our sponsors to grow the tournament and support Iowa Children’s Charities. Outside of the office Skyler enjoys golfing, watching football and spending time with his wife and two dogs.
Karena Ries
Community Relations & Marketing Manager
Karena was inspired to pursue a career in community relations from her time working with the Des Moines Buccaneers and seeing the impact and memories a single event can create within the community. She’s been involved in sports for ten years, serving as the secretary for the Des Moines Adult Hockey Association. She is a Drake University graduate with a degree in Public Relations and Graphic Design. In her free time, Karena enjoys baking and traveling.
Chris Burch
Operations Director
In his prior career, Chris served as the Director of Racing and Events for the IMT Des Moines Marathon since 2005. He is an Iowa native (West Des Moines to be exact) and graduated from Drake University with his undergraduate degree and his master’s degree.
Chris serves on several community and professional committees in the area including the Catch Des Moines, Sports Advisory Committee, the Des Moines Parks and Recreation and the American Marketing Association. When he isn’t running Chris enjoys skiing, biking, golfing, attending events, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Ken McCullum – Board Chair
Principal Financial Group
Kristi Knous
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Jo Christine Miles
Principal Foundation
Tiffany Tauscheck
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Dan Houston
Principal Financial Group
Emily Abbas
Bankers Trust Company
Matt Carstens
Landus Cooperative
Lindsay Chase
Holmes Murphy and Associates
Mary Coffin
Retired, Wells Fargo
Greg Edwards
Catch Des Moines
Lynn Horak
Retired, Wells Fargo
Kathryn Kunert
MidAmerican Energy
Mike McCormick
Fareway Stores
Mike McCoy
NCMIC
Rosemary Parson
EquiTrust
Suku Radia
Retired, Bankers Trust
Brian Sather
KCCI
David Stark
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
Rob TeKolste
Sammons Financial Group
Rich Willis
Willis Auto Campus
Beth Wood
Principal Financial Group
Tournament history
The tournament began in 2001 with Principal taking over as the title sponsor in 2007. Since 2007, the event has raised over $53.7 million for Iowa children’s charities--a number we aim to grow year after year. As one of the marquee events in Des Moines, Principal Charity Classic has won many awards over the years. The tournament was named the PGA TOUR Champions 2016 Tournament of the Year and continues to be the second most charitable tournament within the PGA TOUR Champions schedule.