Dickinson County, Iowa — An anonymous donation has led to the purchase of the former Brooks National Golf Club by the Dickinson County Conservation Board.
According to the Dickinson County Conservation Board, an anonymous donation of $3-million was given to the Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County, the non-profit fundraising arm for the Dickinson County Conservation Board, to purchase the Brooks National Golf Club when it was put up for sale earlier this year. Officials say the sale was final on Friday (March 8th) and the CFDC then gave possession of the 230-acres, including the pro shop, restaurant and maintenance structures, to the Dickinson County Conservation Board.
The Conservation Board says because of its proximity to East Lake Okoboji, the golf course land is imperative to water quality, and greens keepers have done a tremendous job in the past using safe conservation practices on the course to keep it environmentally-friendly. The Dickinson County Conservation Board has partnered with the course in previous years to keep its Audubon certification through bird counts performed during monthly Birding on the Green programs each summer.
The Dickinson County Conservation Board says they were interested in taking over the course when it was put up for sale to protect it from development as well as to preserve and expand the conservation management and recreational opportunities there.
More information about the future of the golf course and restaurant will be released as details are finalized, according to Conservation Board officials.