Sheaffer kicks off capital campaign

ANYONE CAN HELP

People are making pledges for five year. Some have chosen to pay it all and accrue it, some have chosen to do it over five years. The levels of giving we have means anyone can do it and be recognized”

Doug Snaadt, Sheaffer Golf Course Trustee

DENMARK — Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course looked healthy on Friday.
The recent rain, combined with sun and moderate summer temperatures, made a perfect green canvas of grass for a steady stream of golfers playing on the municipal course.
And as they were playing, the future of the course was being discussed in the clubhouse during the Friends of Sheaffer Golf Course donor recognition luncheon.
It was the public kickoff for a capital campaign to raise money for course and infrastructure improvements.
“The community response has been excellent,” said Doug Snaadt, a member of the course’s board of trustees and a member of the Friends committee. “But we have a long way to go.”
Snaadt said a target number for the committee is $750,000, and check presentations among the donors recognized at Friday’s event reached a third of that number.
The money raised by the campaign will go toward upgrades to the irrigation system and equipment for the course, enhancements to the landscaping, and a parking lot upgrade.
There are eight levels of giving, and all will be recognized on the donor wall inside the clubhouse:
— Masters: $100,000 or more
— Whole-In-One: $50,000-$99,999
— Albatross: $25,000-$49,999
— Eagle: $15,000-$24,999
— Birdie: $5,000-$14,999
— Par: $1,000-$4,999
— Player: $500-$999
— Chip-In: Up to $499
“People are making pledges for five years,” Snaadt said. “Some have chosen to pay it all and accrue it, some have chosen to do it over five years. The levels of giving we have means anyone can do it and be recognized."
Snaadt said the importance of maintaining and upgrading the course was apparent in conversations he had about the plans.
“One of the first calls was to Ann Menke, and she said, ‘Damn right, we’ve got to take care of this golf course, it’s important to the community. How much do you need?’” Snaadt said, smiling as he recalled the conversation. 
Among the wish list of items for the course is a turf farm to help replace any damaged grass, an upgrade to the irrigation system, and an improvement and rebuild to some of the bunkers.
The importance of the course to Fort Madison and Lee County is evident in the events that go on during the year.
“Hosting the tournaments that we do here on a year-to-year basis raises close to $200,000 for non-profits in the area,” Snaadt said. “It's a vehicle for fundraising, not only for us but for a lot of organizations that have that ability to raise money.”
Besides the capital campaign, there will be a push to increase sponsorships and the number of rounds played at the course.
“There is a lot of competition today with other sports, especially in the summer, and we would like to get more golfers out here,” Snaadt said. “This golf course is so important to the community, and we want to make sure that we can keep growing and improving into the future.”