By Susan Thompson

A fundraising campaign to pay for needed improvements at the Lake Panorama National golf course received a boost when $30,000 from the Friends of Lake Panorama Beach Ball was earmarked for the campaign. At the end of June, direct donations to the campaign were at $10,750.

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 include expanding forward tee boxes, leveling and resodding main tee boxes, removing all railroad ties and where needed, replacing with the ties with block retaining walls, updates to the driving range and new tee signs and ball washers.

A $500,000 target for the first round of fundraising has been established. 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.

Friends of Lake Panorama is partnering with LPN, which makes it possible for contributions to be tax deductible. All donors will receive a tax receipt.

One current promotion to encourage donations runs through Aug. 31. Those who donate $500 or more by Aug. 31 will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a 2025 LPN Single Golf Pass with trail fee or cart seat.

Every $500 earns the donor one entry, with no limit on the number of entries that can be earned. This promotion is exclusively for direct donations by individuals, couples or families, and cannot be combined with fundraising events.

Donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama and sent to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) also are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions.

Direct donations also can be sent via Venmo @Panorama-Friends. Credit card donations can be made online at friendsoflakepanorama.org. To qualify for this promotion, credit card donations must include an extra $15 for every $500 donated to cover processing fees.

Upcoming fundraising events include a golf tournament Sept. 7, and 20 Men Who Can Cook Oct. 20, 4-7 p.m. Details on both events will be available soon.

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.

Donors of $500 or more are recognized on the donor page of the Friends website and on the Lake Panorama National capital fundraising campaign page at lakepanoramanational.com.