DES MOINES, Iowa — Opening day of the Principal Charity Classic is in full swing at Wakonda Club in Des Moines Friday. Fans will witness three days of golf from some of the sport’s most impactful names but the biggest impact goes beyond golf.

By Sunday, just one golfer will raise the Principal Charity Classic trophy as the victor, but over the course of three days, the money raised will create countless winners throughout the state of Iowa for Iowa children’s charities. Since 2007, PCC has donated $62 million in funds because of the tournament. A record $8.6 million a year ago all went back directly to Iowans.

Dan Houston is Principal Financial Group’s executive chairman and said, “It’s devoted towards children’s charities, and on average, about 135,000 Iowa youth benefit directly from the Principal Charity Classic.”

Among those benefiting from the money raised is Variety Iowa. “We have a traditional bike program where we give out over 800 traditional bikes to children in need who probably never have had their own bike before so we are partnering with MidAmerican Energy, Principal Charity Classic and their commitment to sustainabilty out at the MidAmerican Energy Sustainability Grove where fans will have the opportunity to build 50 bikes so they can get a hands on opportunity of giving back to the children of Iowa,” said Alison Haner with Variety Iowa.

The tournament also inspires future Iowa leaders in the workforce through the Legacy Project. “It’s a high school career development program to give high school students the professional skills they need. Last summer we had 92 students and this summer we are already at capacity nearing 200 students here in greater Des Moines now expanding to Pella and Cedar Rapids and the goal is to expand and impact thousands of students to help prepare them for their careers,” said Lexi Shafer, Director of workforce through the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Houstan said, “Just speaks volumes about the $26 million of local economic impact, let alone the 80,000 fans here, 1,100 volunteers, and a third of those are Principal Financial Group employees.”

Principal Charity Classic Tickets general admission begins at just $30. Kids ages 15 and under are free. Military and veterans are also free.

Click here for a list of fan zones and areas with activities.