The stage is set for a fundraising campaign to pay for needed improvements at the Lake Panorama National golf course. The course first opened in 1971.
In the fall of 2023, the LPN board of managers began development of a comprehensive master plan for the golf course. This involved a thorough assessment of the course, with key personnel conducting a hole-by-hole golf course tour. The insights gained, combined with past planning documents, led to the identification and prioritization of key projects.
At its April 22 meeting, the LPN board approved a fundraising effort that focuses on Priority 1 projects identified in the LPN Golf Course Master Plan. Projects included in Priority 1 of the master plan include:
Forward Tee Boxes: Expand square footage, level, and sod with short variety Kentucky Bluegrass to accommodate increased play and allow for better turf recovery.
Main Tee Boxes: Level main Bentgrass tees and re-sod with Bentgrass. Final square footage will be based on construction bids and fundraising.
Railroad Ties and Landscaping: Remove of all railroad ties surrounding tee boxes. Where necessary, replace with a block retaining wall. Remove landscaping surrounding tee boxes to simplify maintenance and mowing.
Driving Range: Replace railroad ties with a block retaining wall. Add a synthetic grass tee line to the back of the tee box, to use when the natural turf needs time to recover.
Tee Signs: Install 18 cast metal tee signs with Granite Club sponsor signs and ball washers. Also, pour concrete pads on six holes for current and future memorial benches.
On April 8, Royce Shaffer, LPN director of operations, and Shanell Wagler, chair of the LPN board of managers, presented details of the LPN golf course master plan to the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors. They asked if donations to the Priority 1 projects could be funneled through Friends, which would allow donors who itemize at tax time the opportunity to deduct their donation.
After discussion, the Friends board approved a motion to partner with LPN to raise funds for Priority 1 projects. The Friends board also voted to make this effort the priority project for the 2024 Beach Ball fundraiser June 21.
The LPN board of managers set a $500,000 target for the first round of fundraising. As funds become available, bids will be solicited for Priority 1 projects. No fundraising deadline has been set, as funds will continue to be raised until projects are completed.
Future projects included in the LPN golf course master plan include needed improvements to the maintenance shop and equipment storage, irrigation pumps and pump house, bunkers, the pond that impacts holes 12 and 13, the pond on the ninth hole, and cart paths.
There is precedence for raising funds for LPN golf course improvements. To build Spikes in 2008, approximately $128,000 in cash was donated, plus an estimated $64,500 in the form of materials and labor, for a total value of $197,500. In 2010, two on-course bathrooms were built with $28,000 raised from 125 donors, and $25,000 was donated by an individual to renovate the pond on the seventh hole. Fountains in ponds all were donated. These projects all were done before Friends of Lake Panorama was formed in 2013.
Fundraising for the LPN Priority 1 projects is underway. While Friends of Lake Panorama has committed a percentage of funds raised at the 2024 Beach Ball to Priority 1, LPN staff and board are developing additional fundraising strategies. Efforts will target Lake Panorama Association property owners, LPN seasonal passholders, LPN daily fee and stay and play golfers, and businesses.
A fundraising golf tournament is being considered, along with other special events. Because much of the cost of the Priority 1 projects involves construction, in-kind contributions from contractors willing to provide services at no cost or reduced rates will be sought.
Donors contributing $500 or more will be recognized on both the Lake Panorama National Resort and Friends of Lake Panorama websites. All donors receive a tax receipt.
Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions—for donors who are required to take forced IRA distributions. There are potential tax-saving benefits when considering either of these direct donation strategies. Check with your financial advisor for details.
Direct donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and mailed to Friends, PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donations also can be made through Venmo @Panorama-Friends, or by credit card at friendsoflakepanorama.org.