The Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) has recently been awarded a $125,000 grant from Principal Foundation for the Golf House Iowa project. The grant will be used to provide a permanent home to preserve, promote, and protect the game of golf in our great state. The project will include the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, a space for educating golfers, areas to promote and teach the game, and office space for the Iowa Golf Association, IGA Foundation, Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association and First Tee – Central Iowa.

The IGAF’s mission is to promote golf and its life-enhancing values with an emphasis on teaching, preserving and protecting the history and traditions of the game in Iowa – and Principal Foundation has stepped up to help achieve that mission in a big way.

“The commitment and investment from those at Principal Foundation is astounding,” IGA executive director Chad Pitts said. “They obviously recognize the importance golf can have on youth in our community, as they commit so many resources to the Principal Charity Classic each year.”  

Principal Foundation grant funds will be used to support Golf House Iowa and the effort of bringing more people from all ages and backgrounds to the game, as well as teaching the intrinsic values that are the foundation of golf – such as honesty, integrity, respect, and sportsmanship.

“Sports have the unique ability to unite people and enrich their lives,” said Jo Christine Miles, director, Principal Foundation and community relations. “We are excited by IGA’s mission to connect more people, especially young Iowans, with golf – creating a spark of interest that could lead to a lifelong passion and beneficial community connections.”

Golf House Iowa is expected to welcome thousands of junior golfers each year to learn about the history of the game of golf, as well as participate in programs such as First Tee and The First Green, which are field trips for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade classes where students learn about the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) that goes into caring for a golf course.

“We are thrilled that they have chosen to recognize and support the Golf House Iowa project as well,” Pitts said. “We look forward to making them and all of our donors proud of the finished facility.”

In addition to field trips to Golf House Iowa, efforts will be made to increase Youth on Course participation substantially over the next few years.  Youth on Course works to remove the financial barrier to playing golf by subsiding rounds of golf for kids age 6-18.

– Your support is still needed –
As of today (Sept. 13, 2022), 71% of the project’s goal has been raised/pledged. For more information on ways you can support the efforts of Golf House Iowa visit https://iowagolf.org/golfhouseiowa/.

About Principal® Foundation
Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (“Principal Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so.