2026 IOWA GOLF SUMMIT

Maintaining Golf's Momentum

Learn, Network, then Golf in the afternoon at Wakonda!

The Iowa Golf Council will once again host our biennial Iowa Golf Summit, this time with a few updates to the scheduled events (we are playing golf, too!).

The Iowa Golf Association, Iowa PGA, the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the Iowa Tall Corn Chapter of the CMAA will bring industry leaders together to network and educate on working together. The event will take place on Monday, May 11th and will be hosted at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. The general theme of the event will be centered around keeping up the momentum we have built over the past few years.

Speakers will include folks from the USGA, GCSAA, and a special presentation on the 2026 Iowa Golf Economic Impact Study that is currently in progress.

Education credits are available for PGA Professionals, Club Managers, and Superintendents. Don’t miss out – the deadline to sign up is Monday, May 4th.

Cost to attend – $50 for morning only education, $125 for the full day (includes golf)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About the Golf Event...

“PRO-FACILITY” FORMAT: A pro plus members and/or the staff at the same facility would constitute a team (pro, GM, Superintendent, Board member, etc). We will team up “singles” and “doubles” from one facility with those from another if you don’t have a full group of four.

SCORING: Pro plays own ball, 3 Ams play Scramble – count the low ball

FEE: $125 for the day (includes morning seminar plus lunch, golf, prizes)

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GET EDUCATION POINTS! PGA Professionals, Golf Course Superintendents and Club Managers will received education points from the PGA of America, GCSAA, and CMAA respectively.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

USGA Speaker

USGA speakers will present on the surge in golf’s popularity over the past few years and what they have in store to help keep that momentum moving forward.

Erik Larsen

Golf Course Architect

Five Steps to an effective Master Plan

Many courses are as healthy as ever, meaning they may be exploring ways to invest back into their most valuable asset – the golf course. Erik has developed a streamlined, effective Master Planning process focused on practical planning, pricing, and implementation of improvements to aid superintendents do their job better, while layering on compelling design features where appropriate.

He is focused on a new development strategy of discovering extra land within golf courses and developing walkable neighborhoods that can help subsidize improvement costs. Further, he looks for space within the golf course to add ‘small golf’ in the form of short hole loops, enlarged practice areas and/or putting courses…all which bring excitement and vibrancy to the renovation process.

Economic Impact Study

TEConomy, LLC

We expect a representative from TEConomy, LLC to be on hand to deliver preliminary results of the recently commissioned Economic Impact Study on Golf in Iowa.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. – Erik Larsen, Golf Course Architect

9:45 – 10:00 a.m – Presenting Sponsors Showcase

10:00 – 10:45 – Jake Miller, USGA Regional Affairs & Tom Gould, USGA Agronomist

10:45 – 11:00 – break

11:00 – 11:15 – Presenting Sponsors Showcase

11:15 – 12:00 – Economic Impact Study Speaker

12:00 – 1:00 – Box lunch and Range warm-up time

1:00 p.m. – GOLF EVENT BEGINS

Following Golf – Reception with light appetizers, drinks and prizes awarded

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER