Lotto Winner Buys His Country Club

Mike O'Malley Tweeted a fantastic Jim Offner story about 65-year-old Wally Markham winning the Iowa Lottery and investing most of his winnings into La Porte City Country Club where he was a member.

"It was going downhill, and they were financially in trouble," Markham said.

He knew first-hand the country club needed help.

"I did a lot of work out there on a volunteer basis," he said. "I mowed greens and different things."
Markham declined to disclose how much he invested in the project, but he did say it needed considerable upgrades.

Among the improvements are two new heat pumps, refurbished railings and patio, resurfaced golf paths, an upgradged barbecue grill, new coolers, a new ice machine and assorted interior jobs, including a new wall in the clubhouse ballroom.

Other projects are planned, Markham said.