Capital Fundraising Campaign
In the fall of 2023, the LPN Board of Managers began developing a comprehensive master plan for the Lake Panorama National Golf Course. This involved a thorough assessment of the golf course, with key personnel conducting a detailed hole-by-hole golf course tour. The insights gained, combined with past planning documents, formed the basis for identifying and prioritizing projects at Lake Panorama National Golf Course. At the April 2024 LPN Board of Managers meeting, the board approved beginning fundraising for Priority 1 projects identified in the LPN Golf Course Master Plan.
The Friends of Lake Panorama board agreed to partner with LPN on this fundraising effort. Friends of Lake Panorama is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, dedicated to improving recreational amenities at Lake Panorama. All contributions to Friends of Lake Panorama are tax deductible, and donors receive a letter of thanks as their receipt. Donations can be made in someone's memory or in honor of someone.
The LPN Board of Managers set a $500,000 target for the first round of fundraising. As funds become available, Priority 1 projects will be bid on. No timeline is set. Funds will continue to be raised until projects are completed.
Every donation is important, but only donations of $500 or more receive public recognition on the Lake Panorama National Resort and Friends of Lake Panorama websites. Donor recognition levels are:
Sponsor - $50,000 and above
Champion - $25,000 - $49,999
Leader - $10,000 - $24,999
Benefactor - $5,000 - $9,999
Steward - $1,000 - $4,999
Friend - $500 - $999
Donations
Priority 1 Projects
Tee Boxes
The unevenness of our teeing surface, along with the limited size of our forward tees, has been identified as an area in need of improvement.
With the introduction of a second set of tee markers our forward tee boxes are experiencing higher usage. To address this, we plan to expand their square footage, level the ground, and install short variety Kentucky Bluegrass to better handle the increased play volume and promote improved turf recovery.
Also, our main tee boxes, which are over 50 years old, have experienced settling and shifting over time, resulting in uneven surfaces. Our plan involves leveling these primary tees and resurfacing them with Bentgrass sod. The specific area to be worked on will be determined based on construction bids and available funding.
During this process, railroad ties surrounding tee boxes will be removed. Where necessary, replacement block retaining walls will be installed. Some landscaping around tee boxes will be removed to streamline maintenance and mowing.
Driving Range
Currently, the golf maintenance staff position bag stands in front of the driving range tee to encourage turf recovery after periods of heavy usage.
The master plan includes installation of a synthetic grass tee line at the rear of the tee box. This will safeguard the natural turf and be a better teeing option when the natural turf tee is closed.
The deteriorating railroad tie retaining wall will be replaced with a block wall.
Tee Signs
Current tee signage is outdated. The master plan includes the installation of 18 cast metal tee signs, each featuring the Granite Club sponsor, alongside ball washers. Concrete pads will be poured to accommodate both current and future memorial benches on select holes. This project will enhance the curb appeal of our golf course.
Upcoming Events
Latest Updates
Lake Panorama National Resort Timeline
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![1970]()
• The first nine holes of the Iowa National Golf Course were staked in 1970, and construction began that fall under the direction of Richard Watson.
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![1972]()
• The front nine holes of the Iowa National Golf Course opened for play in midsummer 1972.
• By the fall of 1972, Mid-Iowa Lakes had fallen behind on payments owed to Watson for his work on the front nine. Watson proposed to start work on the second nine holes but agreed not to submit invoices until May 1973, a proposition which Mid-Iowa accepted.
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![1973]()
• Most of the work on the second nine was completed by the end of 1973.
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![1974]()
• In a December 1973 letter from Watson to Mid-Iowa Lakes officials, it was stated that some of the back-nine holes seeded that fall should be ready for play by July 1974. The remaining holes would be seeded in the spring, and with proper fertilization and maintenance, all holes should be ready for play by August 1974.
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![1975]()
• Mid-Iowa Lakes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 1975.
• During the summer, the front nine of the golf course was operational. Maintenance work was carried out by two employees and numerous volunteers, funded by personal donations and Lake Enterprises Inc.
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![1976]()
• In April 1976, the bankruptcy court leased the course to Lake Enterprises Inc. The back nine of the course was completely overgrown, prompting volunteers to locate and mow the greens with a push mower. By the end of 1976 and throughout the 1977 season, the entire course was open.
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![1978]()
• In 1978, the LPA board decided that associating the 18-hole course with Lake Panorama would help promote it to the public. The name was changed to Lake Panorama National Golf Course.
• A new clubhouse was constructed between the first and 10th tees which included a pro shop, kitchen, restrooms, and cart storage.
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![1983]()
• Clover Ridge Ltd. signed a 50-year lease on the Lake Panorama National Golf Course. They also purchased 25 acres within the Lake Panorama National area and began construction of townhomes, a conference center, and a guest house.
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![1991]()
• Clover Ridge Ltd. went bankrupt in November 1991, and CIPCO managed the course until 1997. During this period, the pro shop was relocated from the original clubhouse to the basement of the LPN conference center.
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![1997]()
• In 1997, Guthrie County REC purchased the Lake Panorama National Conference Center and assumed the golf course lease until 2004. They operated under the subsidiary of Progressive Development Inc. (PDI).
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![2000]()
• A change in the lease with PDI allowed LPN members to pay additional dues to help cover the installation of asphalt cart paths. Golf members were assessed $200 per year for four years. Matching funds were provided by PDI and LPA, resulting in approximately $400,000 raised.
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![2001]()
• Cart paths were added in 2001, along with the installation of forward tee boxes.
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![2005]()
• LPA resumed management of the golf course while also purchasing the LPN Conference Center.
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![2007]()
• The LPA board approved the installation of a double-row irrigation system, with work scheduled to start in spring 2008.
• An LPN advisory committee devised plans to replace the original clubhouse, which was currently serving as a snack shop. A fundraising campaign was launched in October 2007. By January 2008, sufficient funds had been donated and in-kind commitments secured to obtain approval from the LPA board.
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![2008]()
• In March 2008, construction on the new snack shop began.
• A contest was held to name the new building, and "Spikes" was chosen.
• Approximately $197,500 in cash and in-kind materials and labor were contributed. A ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony took place on July 26.
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![2010]()
• Two on-course bathrooms were replaced, funded by private donations.
• Additionally, the pond on hole #7 was riprapped, thanks to a donation from a single donor.
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![2021]()
• A project to stabilize the shoreline between the 5th pond and the green started in October 2021. The previous wall, constructed with railroad ties, had been deteriorating over the course of several years. A new retaining wall was constructed.
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![2022]()
• Due to emerald ash borer infestation, 304 ash trees were removed from the golf course, starting in January 2022. Later that year, 30 trees were replanted in strategic locations.
• A shade sail structure was installed at Spikes, thanks to donations.
Contacts
Royce Shaffer
LPN Director of Operations
rshaffer@lakepanorama.org
Shanell Wagler
LPN Board of Managers President
shanell.wagler@gmail.com
Susan Thompson
Friends of Lake Panorama Executive Director
staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org