2023 IGA Yearbook

121 and where we’ve now arrived, I’m simply amazed. This is the largest undertaking in the history of our storied organization. It will provide a permanent home to our Hall of Fame, an interactive museum to celebrate the rich history of golf in Iowa and will provide a space for youth to learn and engage in our game in a way they never could before. One of the IGA Foundation’s core missions is to, “Promote and advance the game of golf in Iowa as an amateur sport.” Golf House Iowa gives us the proper platform to do just that. I want to personally thank our donors, the IGA staff, and all the committee members that gave their time and talents to make this project a success. There is more work that goes into a project like this than you can possibly imagine. Golf House Iowa is much more than a building. It’s a place where everyone in our great state can go to get inspired about the game. We’d love for you to come out and see this amazing facility once it’s open to the public. I’ll close this letter by thanking a few people who made this dream a reality. First and foremost, Mike Coppola. Without your initial gift and your foresight, the Golf House most certainly wouldn’t have happened. Our core fundraising team of Chad Pitts, Mark Gambaiana, Charlie Taylor, Mike McCoy, Jamie Alt and Jim Carney. The coffee meetings at Panera on Fleur always seemed to spark a new idea that kept our momentum moving forward. You all played such critical roles in the success of Golf House Iowa, and we’re forever in your debt for the work you accomplished. Finally, to our donors. It goes without saying that this dream isn’t a reality without each of you. The excitement and enthusiasm you all showed as we marched down this path continued to remind me that this project was the right thing to do. Because of your contributions, the First Tee - Central Iowa will have a place to teach their amazing curriculum year-round, the Iowa Turfgrass Institute will have an arena to broaden the First Green initiative which teaches youth about the science of golf course turf management, and the IGA will have a permanent home to showcase the amazing accomplishments of players past, present and future. We’ll likely pop a bottle of champagne sometime later this spring at Golf House Iowa to celebrate this amazing facility. I hope to see you all there!