25 Jul Missouri Junior Golf Scholarship Foundation Receives $109,892 Tax Credit Grant from Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)
Missouri Junior Golf Scholarship Foundation (MJGF) was recently awarded a $109,892 tax credit grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) to reconstruct the Ken Lanning Golf Center course designed for persons with disabilities. The course is the only of its type in the country and is designed for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities.
Under NAP, a tax credit is equal to 50% or 70% of eligible contributions. The tax credit is used to offset an eligible donor’s income tax liability and is claimed when the donor files their Missouri tax return. The credit may be used against taxes owed for the year of the donation plus five additional tax periods.
In 2020, Jefferson City experienced catastrophic flooding that resulted in a levy breaking – a levy which protected the golf course. The course was under eight feet of water, which ruined the bunkers, field turf greens (wheelchair-accessible), and sodded zoysia grass. The reconstruction, to be completed by December 2022, will allow MJGF to fully reimplement programming, with the course once again accessible for youth and adults with disabilities. MJGF will remove the damaged turf greens, lay new drainage piping, and reinstate the greens. Grass on the entire course will be reseeded rather than relaying sod, and the bunkers and concrete cart paths will be repaired. Additionally, handicapped accessible tees on all nine holes will be rebuilt with turf, allowing individuals to tee off even when the grass is wet.
The renovation of the Ken Lanning Golf Center is essential for the return to safe, accessible golf for individuals with disabilities as well as ease of use for all patrons. The current condition of the greens, tee boxes, cart paths, and fairways make the course more difficult to navigate and hinder wheelchair accessibility. Because of the damage the flooding caused to the turf greens, staples and nails used to secure the greens have become loose and pose an extra safety risk. In its current condition, the state of the course will only continue to deteriorate which will result in additional construction needs at increased expense.
The mission of the Ken Lanning Golf Center is: To provide children and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of golf by providing them with a course designed specifically to meet their unique needs. During the regular season (April-October), Ken Lanning Golf Center will serve an average of 100 people daily for golf. During the off-season, 50 people per month will use the course. MJGF anticipates serving an additional 2,000 individuals through camps, specialized programs, and an annual junior golf tour once the reconstruction is completed.