Structural updates to the Lake Panorama National golf course driving range tee box are complete. The project was funded by direct donations to the LPN Capital Fundraising Campaign, a May golf tournament, 20 Men Who Can Cook event in October, and the Friends of Lake Panorama 2025 Beach Ball.
The project was approved by the LPN board of managers in July. The former tee box had a deteriorating railroad tie retaining wall. It also was undersized, requiring the golf maintenance staff to position bag stands in front of the tee after periods of heavy use.
The driving range tee box renovation involved removing the railroad tie wall, extending the tee box to the west, and installing a new block retaining wall.
At the back of the tee box, a line of concrete pads was poured. Next came a new synthetic grass tee line installed on top of the concrete pads.
The synthetic tee line was purchased from and installed by TurfHound Performance Surfaces. The company uses a patented active foam technology that is designed to mimic natural turf. The company’s website lists two other Iowa courses where Turfhound products are a part of their driving range — Glen Oaks and TPC John Deere.
There are 10 teeing locations that will accommodate left or right-handed players. Players will insert their own tees into slots in the cushioned teeing mats. This new tee line will help protect the natural turf, and provide a better teeing option when the natural turf area is closed.
Paver edging was installed around the front of the tee line. New bag stands will finish off the driving range renovation.
The Lake Panorama National Resort capital fundraising campaign will enter its third year in 2026. Since the campaign launched in summer 2024, $122,500 has been raised. Next spring, the LPN board of managers will decide on the next golf course improvement project to undertake.
Fundraising is ongoing. Friends of Lake Panorama is partnering with Lake Panorama National on this campaign, so all contributions are tax-deductible.
There are three ways to donate. By check, payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, mailed to
PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216; via Venmo at www.venmo.com/Panorama-Friends; and by credit card at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org/donate. If using a credit card, donors are asked to add an additional $15 for every $500 donated to cover processing fees.