Des Moines' Wakonda Club golf course reopening after $8 million renovation

• Division over the changes led to hundreds of canceled memberships.

Catch up quick: Wakonda is a private, member-owned club that sits on more than 143 acres just south of downtown in the Gray's Lake neighborhood.

State of play: The renovation — headed by golf architect Tyler Rae — restored its iconic 18-hole golf course to its original Langford design.

• Multiple greens were rebuilt and the fairway expanded from 24 to 34 acres.
• The course closed in June last year for the renovations, shortly after the Principal Charity Classic.

Friction point: Some members opposed the plan last year based on cost concerns and the loss of 185 trees, including mature oaks.

• Among them was then-Mayor Frank Cownie, a cousin of Wakonda Club president Peter Cownie.

What they're saying: The division among members was particularly tough because most are close friends, Peter Cownie tells Axios.

• He believes the project is crucial to the club's future and says relationships among members are rebounding as the work is completed.
• More than a dozen new members have joined in the last month, he says.

The other side: Frank Cownie is no longer a Wakonda member, but told Axios he wants the club to do well and wishes them success.

Worthy of your time: GolfPass named Wakonda one of this year's notable course renovations.

• Plus, the club recently published its architectural history and evolution, traced to 1897.