Sep. 22—The Logansport Parks & Recreation Department/Foundation have received a $500,000 private gift for the clubhouse project at the Dykeman Park Municipal Golf Course, according to a press release.
This gift was pledged by the Petrie Endowment, which is funded by Mike Petrie and his wife Jody Jones, who both graduated from Logansport High School in 1972.
Petrie went on to become a successful banker and was the driving force behind the creation of Merchants Bank of Indiana and its subsidiaries. Petrie and his family also invested themselves into Highland Golf and Country Club, their local golf club in Indianapolis, and were the driving force behind a refreshed country club with upgraded facilities and increased membership, the press release says.
“The Mike Petrie Golf Academy is a focal point of the upgraded facilities and is a testament to the hard work of the Petrie family and its contributions to the club and its membership community,” the press release says.
According to the press release, the Petrie family was approached about the prospect of making a sizable contribution to the Dykeman Clubhouse project, and “without hesitation” made the $500,000 commitment.
In addition, through his business endeavors and involvement in the golfing community, Petrie is honoring his longtime friend from Logansport High School, Ted Bishop, with the contribution.
The new facility at the Dykeman Park Golf Course will pay tribute to Bishop’s efforts in the golfing community. Bishop has been a driving force behind the Legends Golf Course and Academy in Southern Indiana and was the acting director of the PGA of America. He has also been a recipient of two Sagamore of the Wabash awards, the highest distinction an Indiana state citizen can receive, and continues to coach high school girls golf in Franklin, the release says.
“The Logansport Parks & Recreation Foundation and the City of Logansport are grateful to the Petrie family and their willingness to share their successes with all those that value the Dykeman Park Municipal Golf Course,” the press release says.
The City of Logansport Common Council voted in favor of supporting Ordinance 2023-13 at its June meeting, in which they pledged a $1 million investment in the construction of the new clubhouse at Dykeman Park Municipal Golf Course, the press release says. The council’s commitment is conditional upon additional private funds being raised. According to the release, the goal to build the clubhouse requires $3.5 million in funds to be raised with a goal to open by the spring of 2026, which is the 100th anniversary of the Dykeman Park Municipal Golf Course.
“The opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary in a new clubhouse at Dykeman Park Municipal Golf Course in 2026 would create an historic and memorable stage for the next 100 years of the Dykeman Park Municipal Golf Course in Logansport,” the press release says.
Chairman Brad Rozzi has been recruited by the Logansport Parks & Recreation Foundation to lead a committee of citizens to publicly and privately raise the necessary funds to build a new structure. Members of the Dykeman Clubhouse Fundraising Committee include parks administrator Janet Fawley, golf course manager and pro Dean Vietti, Michael Bowditch, Tammy Helvie, Brannon Meagher, Chad Higgins, Chuck LaDow and Kyle Smith.
To learn more about the plans, visit logansportparksfoundation.org.
