Q&A:
HEAD LPN GOLF PRO REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR, LOOKS AHEAD
Rob Riggins says his favorite part so far are the people.
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Posted 2/8/2022
By Susan Thompson
Lake Panorama Times
Rob Riggins has started his second year as the Lake Panorama National head golf pro. He moved from California to Iowa nine years ago and was the general manager and director of golf instruction at Jester Park for four years before moving to the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. There he was a golf professional, tournament director and golf instructor for nearly three years before taking the LPN job in February 2021.
In this month’s Q&A, Riggins looks back at his first year at Lake Panorama and ahead to the 2022 golf season.
Q. Tell us what you enjoyed most and what you found the most challenging during your first year as the LPN head golf professional.
A. I absolutely enjoyed my first year at LPN. I love getting to know the members and connecting with everybody. Hopefully the members liked me as much as I like all of them! I love the feel here. It really feels like a “getaway” from Des Moines.
Without overlooking the obvious beauty of Lake Panorama, my favorite part so far are the people. I love to be involved with a facility that so many people care deeply for. It seems every time I turn around, I see people helping people. I don’t see that as much as I used to. I love the energy I feel from everyone at Lake Panorama. “Lake Life” is a real thing, and I’m looking forward to more of that in 2022.
The biggest challenge for me last season had to be merchandising, although the struggle was more to do with vendors not being able to deliver and nothing to do with LPN. We have been told by our vendors they are doing everything possible to make sure this will not happen in 2022.
Q. Will there be a 2022 golf season kickoff event this spring?
A. The 2022 golf season will kick off with a mixer on Saturday, Feb. 26 in the LPN banquet room. Everyone who has joined either LPN or Panorama West for 2022 is invited. It’s a great way to get to know some of the other members and to reunite with friends. The mixer will start at 4 p.m. and will include a cash/charge bar and a short program.
An 8-inch cup tournament will be our first big LPN golf event for the 2022 season. This event is open to all members and non-members alike. It is a four-person best shot scramble and a great way to start the season without putting too much pressure on your individual game. Things will get started with an 11 a.m. shotgun start on Sunday, April 24 with cash cocktails and awards starting at 4 p.m. The price will be $40 for members and $75 for non-members.
Q. How are 2022 golf memberships coming in so far?
A. Memberships for 2022 are selling well, but there is always room for more at both Lake Panorama National and Panorama West. Memberships here at Lake Panorama are a great value, especially when compared to other clubs in the Des Moines area.
Being able to jump on these two courses most any time is a great perk. For those times LPN has an outside event, being an LPN member allows for reciprocal play at over a dozen Des Moines area courses for a discounted fee.
Both LPN and Panorama West members are eligible for 20 % off merchandise in the LPN pro shop, plus full use of the LPN driving range and practice area. LPN members also have access to play in some member-only events we have planned in 2022 and can participate in the LPN men’s and women’s leagues in 2022.
There truly is a golf membership to suit anyone, available to both LPA and non-LPA members. Membership applications are in the LPN pro shop, or you can check out the options at www.lakepanoramanational.com/membership.
Q. There are five golf leagues at the LPN and three at Panorama West. Why do you encourage members to consider playing in one or more of the golf leagues available?
A. Some of the courses I have been a part of in the past are very proud of their leagues and the number of players that turn out. I can honestly say the Lake Panorama courses have some of the biggest leagues I have seen, and members should be very proud of their leagues.
Playing in leagues provides a great opportunity to meet new people, no matter what a player’s skill level is. I really connected with some of our new members last year, as I was new as well. It was great to see them start the season in obscurity and end the season with so many friends they met because of the LPN leagues.
I did not get over to Panorama West as much as I wanted to last season, but I am planning on being there more in 2022. In fact, I hope to be more involved with all the leagues in 2022 with an occasional instructional clinic. I look forward to more growth in our upcoming season, especially our LPN women’s leagues and our men’s noon and 3 p.m. leagues.
Q. It looks like you have a full slate of tournaments at Lake Panorama National for 2022. How can people find out about what’s available?
A. The board by the LPN pro shop front door is full of signup sheets for the 2022 season, and we are in the process of getting all events on the LPN website. I encourage everyone to look into our events. Being a member is not necessary to participate in most of our four-person best shot events we hold throughout the season. Our events are a great way to meet new people and get involved.
We will again have several special events for couples. With all that is going on for Memorial Day, we decided to move our traditional couples tournament to Sunday, May 29. We are hopeful this will help fill our field and still give people the opportunity to enjoy the Memorial Day events around the lake.
We also will continue our Friday Night couples events and our Monday Nine and Wine couples event. Both of these are great ways for couples to get to know each other, as you will play with a different couple each time. Details about these and other tournament and couples options are on the LPN website at www.lakepanoramanational.com/calendar.
Q. Will you be holding an LPN Junior Golf School this year?
A. Junior Golf school is planned for the 2022 season, and we are still working on details. The structure will be similar, but I would prefer to have smaller classes with more instructors. I feel better when the kids are getting instruction as opposed to them standing around waiting. I also would like to see a small tournament for juniors held toward the end of the summer for players looking to compete. Watch for more details about this in the LPN Resort Weekly and on the LPN website and Facebook page.
Q. Will you be offering individual and group lessons in 2022?
A. Instruction will be available for 2022, and individual private lessons will be available, usually seven days a week, depending on my schedule. Group lessons also will be available, and class dates will be established before our member mixer on Feb. 26. Beginner and intermediate group lessons will be the same as last season with each group lesson consisting of three one-hour lessons, probably three Saturdays in a row. Again, we’ll have the details for lesson options at the member mixer Feb. 26.
Q. Pro shop pickings were slim in some categories in 2021. What can members and guests expect to find in the pro shop in 2022?
A. We will slowly be introducing some new brands starting this season, and feedback for brand favorites is encouraged. I love to hear brand favorites of others, because I would like to keep the LPN pro shop growing with new product.
Club selection again will be slim. It is becoming impractical to keep a large supply of clubs on hand in the shop, as most clubs now are purchased with custom settings. So, again this year, for those who would like to purchase clubs here at LPN, I recommend paying Golf Galaxy to get a custom fitting, and we will cover that cost in the cost of any clubs ordered.
Also, if there is anything our members and guests would like to have ordered, feel free to contact either Mike Kleinwolterink, the LPN pro shop manager, or myself, and we can order anything golf-related you would like.
By Susan Thompson
Lake Panorama Times
Rob Riggins has started his second year as the Lake Panorama National head golf pro. He moved from California to Iowa nine years ago and was the general manager and director of golf instruction at Jester Park for four years before moving to the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. There he was a golf professional, tournament director and golf instructor for nearly three years before taking the LPN job in February 2021.
In this month’s Q&A, Riggins looks back at his first year at Lake Panorama and ahead to the 2022 golf season.
Q. Tell us what you enjoyed most and what you found the most challenging during your first year as the LPN head golf professional.
A. I absolutely enjoyed my first year at LPN. I love getting to know the members and connecting with everybody. Hopefully the members liked me as much as I like all of them! I love the feel here. It really feels like a “getaway” from Des Moines.
Without overlooking the obvious beauty of Lake Panorama, my favorite part so far are the people. I love to be involved with a facility that so many people care deeply for. It seems every time I turn around, I see people helping people. I don’t see that as much as I used to. I love the energy I feel from everyone at Lake Panorama. “Lake Life” is a real thing, and I’m looking forward to more of that in 2022.
The biggest challenge for me last season had to be merchandising, although the struggle was more to do with vendors not being able to deliver and nothing to do with LPN. We have been told by our vendors they are doing everything possible to make sure this will not happen in 2022.
Q. Will there be a 2022 golf season kickoff event this spring?
A. The 2022 golf season will kick off with a mixer on Saturday, Feb. 26 in the LPN banquet room. Everyone who has joined either LPN or Panorama West for 2022 is invited. It’s a great way to get to know some of the other members and to reunite with friends. The mixer will start at 4 p.m. and will include a cash/charge bar and a short program.
An 8-inch cup tournament will be our first big LPN golf event for the 2022 season. This event is open to all members and non-members alike. It is a four-person best shot scramble and a great way to start the season without putting too much pressure on your individual game. Things will get started with an 11 a.m. shotgun start on Sunday, April 24 with cash cocktails and awards starting at 4 p.m. The price will be $40 for members and $75 for non-members.
Q. How are 2022 golf memberships coming in so far?
A. Memberships for 2022 are selling well, but there is always room for more at both Lake Panorama National and Panorama West. Memberships here at Lake Panorama are a great value, especially when compared to other clubs in the Des Moines area.
Being able to jump on these two courses most any time is a great perk. For those times LPN has an outside event, being an LPN member allows for reciprocal play at over a dozen Des Moines area courses for a discounted fee.
Both LPN and Panorama West members are eligible for 20 % off merchandise in the LPN pro shop, plus full use of the LPN driving range and practice area. LPN members also have access to play in some member-only events we have planned in 2022 and can participate in the LPN men’s and women’s leagues in 2022.
There truly is a golf membership to suit anyone, available to both LPA and non-LPA members. Membership applications are in the LPN pro shop, or you can check out the options at www.lakepanoramanational.com/membership.
Q. There are five golf leagues at the LPN and three at Panorama West. Why do you encourage members to consider playing in one or more of the golf leagues available?
A. Some of the courses I have been a part of in the past are very proud of their leagues and the number of players that turn out. I can honestly say the Lake Panorama courses have some of the biggest leagues I have seen, and members should be very proud of their leagues.
Playing in leagues provides a great opportunity to meet new people, no matter what a player’s skill level is. I really connected with some of our new members last year, as I was new as well. It was great to see them start the season in obscurity and end the season with so many friends they met because of the LPN leagues.
I did not get over to Panorama West as much as I wanted to last season, but I am planning on being there more in 2022. In fact, I hope to be more involved with all the leagues in 2022 with an occasional instructional clinic. I look forward to more growth in our upcoming season, especially our LPN women’s leagues and our men’s noon and 3 p.m. leagues.
Q. It looks like you have a full slate of tournaments at Lake Panorama National for 2022. How can people find out about what’s available?
A. The board by the LPN pro shop front door is full of signup sheets for the 2022 season, and we are in the process of getting all events on the LPN website. I encourage everyone to look into our events. Being a member is not necessary to participate in most of our four-person best shot events we hold throughout the season. Our events are a great way to meet new people and get involved.
We will again have several special events for couples. With all that is going on for Memorial Day, we decided to move our traditional couples tournament to Sunday, May 29. We are hopeful this will help fill our field and still give people the opportunity to enjoy the Memorial Day events around the lake.
We also will continue our Friday Night couples events and our Monday Nine and Wine couples event. Both of these are great ways for couples to get to know each other, as you will play with a different couple each time. Details about these and other tournament and couples options are on the LPN website at www.lakepanoramanational.com/calendar.
Q. Will you be holding an LPN Junior Golf School this year?
A. Junior Golf school is planned for the 2022 season, and we are still working on details. The structure will be similar, but I would prefer to have smaller classes with more instructors. I feel better when the kids are getting instruction as opposed to them standing around waiting. I also would like to see a small tournament for juniors held toward the end of the summer for players looking to compete. Watch for more details about this in the LPN Resort Weekly and on the LPN website and Facebook page.
Q. Will you be offering individual and group lessons in 2022?
A. Instruction will be available for 2022, and individual private lessons will be available, usually seven days a week, depending on my schedule. Group lessons also will be available, and class dates will be established before our member mixer on Feb. 26. Beginner and intermediate group lessons will be the same as last season with each group lesson consisting of three one-hour lessons, probably three Saturdays in a row. Again, we’ll have the details for lesson options at the member mixer Feb. 26.
Q. Pro shop pickings were slim in some categories in 2021. What can members and guests expect to find in the pro shop in 2022?
A. We will slowly be introducing some new brands starting this season, and feedback for brand favorites is encouraged. I love to hear brand favorites of others, because I would like to keep the LPN pro shop growing with new product.
Club selection again will be slim. It is becoming impractical to keep a large supply of clubs on hand in the shop, as most clubs now are purchased with custom settings. So, again this year, for those who would like to purchase clubs here at LPN, I recommend paying Golf Galaxy to get a custom fitting, and we will cover that cost in the cost of any clubs ordered.
Also, if there is anything our members and guests would like to have ordered, feel free to contact either Mike Kleinwolterink, the LPN pro shop manager, or myself, and we can order anything golf-related you would like.