By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
At the end of August, donations to the LPN capital fundraising campaign were at more than $68,000 with $30,000 from the 2024 Friends of Lake Panorama Beach Ball. The remainder is from private donors and businesses.
An event to raise additional funds is planned for Sunday, Oct. 20. The day includes an 18-hole golf tournament and a 20 Men Who Can Cook food spread. Organizers hope these two events will help make it possible to get some tee box renovations completed this fall.
The four-person best-ball tournament is open to the first 36 teams. Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Mulligans will be sold at registration, and a two-putt limit per hole used. Flights will be based on the number of teams registered, with three places in each flight earning pro shop gift cards.
There are three registration levels. A donation of $1,000 will include a tee box sponsor sign, golf and carts for a foursome, and four tickets to the food event. A donation of $500 will cover golf, carts and tickets to the food event for a foursome. Donors at these two levels will be recognized on a flyer distributed at the food event and receive tax receipts for their donations.
Individuals can register for the tournament at a cost of $125, which covers golf, carts and one ticket to the food event. Individuals can include on their registration form the names of other people they want to play with or be matched with others not currently on a team.
The registration deadline for the golf tournament is Oct. 13. Registration is not complete until payment has been received by Friends of Lake Panorama and cannot be made by phone.
The 20 Men Who Can Cook event will be held in the Lake Panorama National event banquet room following the golf tournament. A cash bar will open at 3 p.m. and remain open until 7 p.m. Food will be available beginning at 3:30 p.m. through 6:30 p.m.
Each of the men participating will prepare one food dish, which will be served to guests as a small sample. Food will be available in four categories — appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts. Each chef will prepare enough food to provide at least one sample per guest. A goal of having 300 guests attend the 20 Men Who Can Cook event has been set.
Advance tickets to the food event are $30. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door at a cost of $35 if the 300-guest limit has not been reached by Oct. 20.
Advance registration and payment are required for both the golf tournament and the 20 Men Who Can Cook food event.
Information about both events and links to registration forms can be found on the LPN Resort online calendar. Payment options are to write a check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama and send to P.O. Box 488, Panora, IA 50216; via Venmo @Panorama-Friends; or a credit card to pay at friendsoflakepanorama.org. If using this option, include an extra $15 for every $500 to cover processing fees.
Registration for both the golf tournament and the 20 Men Who Can Cook event also can be done using printed forms. Forms are available in the LPN pro shop and can be completed and given to any member of the pro shop staff, along with a check made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama. Links to these forms also are on the LPN Resort Calendar for each event.
The fundraising campaign began this past spring with a focus on Priority 1 projects identified in the LPN Golf Course Master Plan. These projects include expanding forward tee boxes; leveling and resodding main tee boxes; removing all railroad ties and, where needed, replacing ties with block retaining walls; updates to the driving range; and new tee signs and ball washers.
Friends of Lake Panorama is partnering with the LPN Resort on this effort. All contributions are tax-deductible, and donors receive a letter of thanks that serves as a receipt. Donations can be made in memory or recognition of others.
When the LPN capital campaign is complete, donors of $500 or more will be recognized on a display wall in the Spikes snack shop, featuring names and sponsorship levels. Donors currently are recognized on the LPN Resort and Friends websites.
Links to the LPN Resort Calendar and the LPN Capital Fundraising Campaign page can be found at the top of the LPN website: lakepanoramanational.com.