Many improvements have taken place at the Panorama West golf course over the last two years, thanks to a $473,000 estate gift from James and Joyce McLuen. Both died in 2016. In September 2017, their gift was presented to Friends of Lake Panorama, with instructions to use the funds at Panorama West.
Most of the work was done in 2018, and included irrigation, additional concrete cart paths, signage and tee box amenities, and clubhouse landscaping.
A three-year project to improve turf conditions began in the fall of 2018, with 15 acres of tees and fairways aerified and interseeded, plus starter fertilizer applied. That initial work cost $22,000. Another $6,000 has been invested this fall for additional seed, fertilizer and weed control, with the same commitment in place for 2020.
One final project is planned for this fall, as the six sand bunkers on the golf course will be renovated at a cost of $30,000. With all other projects completed, Friends of Lake Panorama has $15,000 remaining from the McLuen gift for this. Another $1,835 was raised with a golf tournament in June 2018, and the Lake Panorama Association has committed up to $15,000.
A contract to renovate the bunkers has been signed with JGCC Golf N Sports Turf from Ormond Beach, Florida. This will involve removing all existing sand and gravel, flushing existing drainage, and installing new drains as needed. Minor reshaping of the traps will be done, followed by new gravel.
Next will be a two-inch layer of capillary concrete. This patented product includes aggregates and polymers mixed with concrete. It is porous, allowing water to drain more quickly, thereby reducing washouts and bunker maintenance. The final step will be filling the traps with new sand.
The contractor currently is renovating bunkers at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston. Once that project is complete, work will begin at Panorama West. This is expected to be sometime in October, and will impact play on the course during construction. Watch the LPA and LPN electronic newsletters for details.