PICTURED ABOVE: Dick Zapf is surrounded by family members following the 2024 Birdhouse Boogie at Lake Panorama National. For more than 30 years, money was raised at this tournament to support junior golf. This year’s junior golf schools are being offered at no cost in honor of Dick Zapf.
By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
This photo was taken during the 2024 junior golf school. Austin Block holds the flag on the seventh green at Panorama West as the group of boys he was with take turns putting to the hole.
All session dates are on Wednesdays and run from 9:30-11 a.m. Session One dates are June 11, 18, 25, with a registration deadline of June 1. Session Two dates are July 9, 16, 23, with a registration deadline of July 1.
This year’s junior golf sessions are free in honor of Dick Zapf, who passed away in late February. Zapf was a longtime supporter of junior golf programs at Lake Panorama National. Financial gifts given in Zapf’s memory are making it possible to offer this year’s golf schools at no cost.
More than 30 years ago, Zapf organized a Labor Day couples tournament at Lake Panorama National. Since he enjoyed building birdhouses, he awarded his creations as prizes and named the tournament the Birdie Boogie.
The tournament became an annual sellout, and Zapf saw it as an opportunity to raise money for junior golf. Raffle tickets were sold with more of his birdhouses offered, along with other donated items. Over the years, funds have been used to offset the costs of the junior golf program including equipment and gifts for the juniors.
Melissa Hochstetler is the Panorama Schools head coach for the girls golf team. In this 2024 photo, she is helping girls in the LPN junior golf school practice the pendulum swing they need to use when putting.
At the 2025 junior golf school, participants will receive instruction from Rob Riggins, LPN head golf professional, Mike Kleinwolterink, pro shop manager, and other LPN staff members.
For the first two days of each session, the junior golfers will meet near the LPN pro shop, divide into age groups and walk to the LPN practice areas with instructors. The groups will rotate between the driving range, chipping area and the putting green. At the end of each day, the golfers can go to Spikes and pick out a drink and snack.
The third day of each session is held at the Panorama West golf course. Students play a few holes on the golf course with instructors helping them implement what they learned the first two days. Pizza and drinks will be available in the community room after golf, and each junior golfer will receive a gift bag.
Riggins says he and his staff are dedicated to growing the game of golf for juniors.
“Our junior golf clinics are conducted in a way that improves the skills of junior golfers, along with their life skills,” he says. “We focus on golf instruction and golf etiquette, while also moving towards getting kids ready to play the game.”
For more information call the LPN pro shop at 641-755-2024. To register, complete an entry form that is available in both the pro shop and online, then return it to the LPN pro shop.