The Principal Charity Classic — which brings top PGA stars from golf's senior tour to Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines — starts competitive play on Friday morning.

A pro-am tourney began Wednesday and wraps up Thursday.

Big names committed to the event include Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Hale Irwin and Fuzzy Zoeller, according to the tourney website. Last year's winner, Bob Gilder, will be in town to defend his title.

In 2011 the tournament raised a record $750,000 to benefit area children's charities. These five organizations will receive proceeds from this week's event: Blank Children's Hospital, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa and Variety-The Children's Charity of Iowa.

Visitors can park at Jordan Creek Town Center and catch a shuttle to the golf course. The shuttle runs continuously starting at 7 a.m. daily until 1 hour after the last event of the day. Spectators will be picked up and dropped off at the main Jordan Creek Town Center entrance off Mills Civic Parkway.

Tickets are available for purchase at the main admission gat for $20 or online. Kids 15 and younger get in free with an adult who has a ticket.

Schedule for the rest of the week, according to the Des Moines Register:

Thursday

7 a.m. — Gate opens

7 a.m. — UnitedHealthcare Pro-Am

2:30 p.m. — University Putting Challenge (Iowa, Iowa State, University of Northern Iowa, Drake)

Friday

7 a.m. — Gate opens

7:30-9:30 a.m. — Networking on the Green sponsored by Kum & Go

8 a.m. — First-Round Tournament Play

Saturday

7 a.m. — Gate opens

8 a.m. — Second-Round Tournament Play

11 a.m.-4 p.m. — Iowa PGA Drive, Chip and Putt

Sunday

7 a.m. — Gate opens

8 a.m. — Championship Round

TV COVERAGE

Shown on the Golf Channel, tape delayed

Friday — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday — 6 to 8:30 p.m.