Golf
For a century, the Wakonda Club golf course has been recognized as one of the best courses in the state, as well as the Midwest. Golf Digest previously ranked the William B. Langford-designed course #1 in Iowa, the Des Moines Register readers have voted it the best in the state, and Golf Week has recognized Wakonda as a Top-100 Classical Course in the United States. Wakonda plays host to the award-winning Principal Charity Classic, bringing PGA TOUR Champions to the course. The golf course is member friendly with social golf programs, Men’s and Ladies leagues, and Operation 36 instruction.
The Wakonda Club golf course averages 18,000 rounds annually. Beyond the beautiful & challenging course, the winter practice facilities has four individual hitting bays. The member-owned Golf Professionals Shop offers an exceptional full-service experience with corporate customization and special orders, personal customer service and member-discounted prices.
| Aaron Krueger, PGA, Director of Golf Aaron is beginning his fourteenth season at Wakonda Club in 2024 and his eighth as Director of Golf. Aaron is originally from Fulton, Illinois and is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he competed on the men’s golf team. Aaron worked as an Assistant Professional at both Wildcat Run Country Club in Estero, Florida and Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, Iowa. In 2007, Aaron became a Class A Member of the PGA of America. He served as the Head Golf Professional (2008-2010) at Pinnacle Country Club in the Quad Cities prior to coming to Wakonda in 2011 as the Head Golf Professional. Aaron was the President of the Iowa PGA Board of Directors in 2017-2019 and was the 2008 & 2013 Iowa PGA Section Champion. He was recognized as the 2017 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year and the 2019 Iowa Golf Association PGA Professional of the Year. In 2014, he competed in the John Deere Classic and the PGA Championship. Aaron and his wife Tonya have one daughter, Lydia. Grant Feilmann, PGA, Head Golf Professional Grant joined Wakonda's professional golf staff in 2014 and became the Head Golf Professional in 2017. Golf has been an integral part of Grant’s life since he was 12 years old. In high school, he played on the Marshalltown High School golf team, and was awarded the Herman Sani Scholarship by the Iowa Golf Association. While studying Professional Golf Management at Ferris State University he interned at The Classic at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota; TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts; and Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, California. In December of 2011, Grant graduated from Ferris State with his bachelor’s degree in business and was elected to PGA membership. After graduation Grant took a job with Dick’s Sporting Goods as PGA Golf Professional where he enjoyed fitting customers for the equipment that best fit their golf games. In 2016, Grant completed his master’s degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University and was also awarded the 2016 Iowa PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award. Most recently, Grant was awarded the 2021 Iowa PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award and the 2023 Iowa PGA Deacon Palmer Award. Tyler Christians, PGA, Assistant Professional Tyler began working at Wakonda in 2012 in the bag-room and will be in his twelfth season in 2024. Tyler grew up in Urbandale and developed a passion for the game at age 12. He attended Urbandale High School and actively participated on the varsity golf team along with the bowling and soccer teams. Tyler then attended Grand View University in Des Moines where he studied Sport Management and competed on the golf team. Tyler’s greatest golf accomplishment came at the 2014 Kohler Classic when he won medalist honors at Whistling Straights in Kohler, WI. During his final year of college, Tyler completed an internship with Wakonda. Upon graduating from Grand View University in 2015, Tyler began the PGA Apprentice Program at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. After completing Level 1, Tyler returned to Wakonda to continue growing his knowledge of the PGA. Tyler spent two winters working in Arizona at Desert Mountain Golf Club. From 2018 - 2020, Tyler was appointed Head Men’s Golf Coach at Simpson College while working at Wakonda. He dreams of playing in a PGA Tour event, has a passion for cars and believes that he can beat anyone in a game of ping pong. Jackson Hamlin, Director of Instruction Jackson Hamlin is the new Director of Instruction at Wakonda Club. Jackson will join the golf staff for his first season in 2024. Jackson is a native of Clear Lake, Iowa, where he helped his high school team win the boys golf state championship. Following High School, Jackson played golf at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa. Jackson then transferred to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue a career in golf as a PGA Professional. Jackson had a double major at Nebraska, studying both Professional Golf Management and Sports Media & Communications. While at UNL, Jackson had PGM internships at Shinnecock Hills Country Club in Southampton, New York; Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey; and Jim McLean Golf School in Coral Gables, Florida. He will satisfy his work experience credits with the PGA of America and become a full PGA Member in the fall of 2024. Jackson has focused his PGA Professional Golf Management internships and studies on the PGA Career Path of Golf Instruction. |
Additional golf amenities:
- Individual or group private golf lessons and club fittings available with our PGA trained Golf Professionals using the latest technologies and equipment, including the Track Man Launch Monitor.
- Full season schedule of member-only and member-guest golf events highlighted by our Men’s Blazer Day Member Guest and Ladies Lone Leaf Member Guest.
- Yearly guided golf excursions (domestic and international) by experienced Golf staff.
- Flexible weekend tee time scheduling, with no priority legacy tee times and walk-up play opportunities.
- The Junior Golf Program boasts over 200 kids annually playing the game, from basic skills through advanced competition.
- Staff conducts golf clinics including short game, full swing, bunkers, uneven lies and couples’ clinics.
Master Planning began in 2020 for a fully restored golf course. The 2023 restoration of Wakonda Club was led by Golf Course Architect, Tyler Rae and his Lead Design Associate, Jim Ryan, Jr. Wakonda's Grounds Superintendent, Dane Wilson and his staff worked to coordinate contractors and ensure the project was on-time and on-budget. This restoration focused on address a combination of architecture and infrastructure.
| 2023 Restoration Details: TEES
GREENS
BUNKERS
TURFGRASS
IRRIGATION
TREES
SHORT GAME PRACTICE AREA
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