Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, located 150 miles west of Chicago within The Galena Territory, a 6,800-acre recreational, residential and resort community six miles southeast of the historic town of Galena, Ill. It is a golf lover’s paradise. The resort’s grounds include 63 holes on four award-winning golf courses, including one of the top one hundred public access courses in the country, The General – proving to be an adequate challenge for golfers of all ages and skill sets. For those unfamiliar with the resort’s award-winning golf courses, you should know that each course is unique – from the rolling fairways to the smooth greens and pristine tee boxes, no round of golf is the same at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. A two-night, three-day golfing visit to Eagle Ridge should include playing all 63-holes — and you tell us which is your favorite!
The General: Known as the resort’s crown jewel, The General opened to rave reviews in 1997 and consistently ranks among Golf Digest top 100 public access courses. Hole #5 features 170 feet of elevation change from the tee to the fairway, with long distance views in several directions. Recently, the front and back nines were flipped at the General which allows for the 18th green to align with Highlands Outdoor patio allowing golfers to watch friends finish their games while enjoying a beverage.
The North Course: Opened as Eagle Ridge’s original golf course in 1977, the North Course was designed by the legendary Roger Packard and thoughtfully incorporates the area’s scenery and landforms. It is characterized by elevated tee boxes and stunning views of Lake Galena and the surrounding countryside in The Galena Territory. The signature hole is #8, which is a 165-yard par 3 with 80 feet of elevation change from tee to green. The tee shot on #8 crosses the corner of Lake Galena, opening to a spectacular view of the lake and its majestic rock outcroppings. The North is also home to the resort’s only practice range which features an elevated tee and seven well-defined targets. A convenient ball-dispensing machine accepts credit cards and range member cards. Some people enjoy the range as much or more than golf! We recently welcomed Jacob Shultz as the new Head Pro.
The South Course: Debuting in August of 1984, The South was awarded the Best New Resort Course in 1985 by Golf Digest magazine. The South Course winds through a beautiful, wooded valley where streams come into play on 11 of 18 holes. The signature hole is #18, a 406-yard par 4 with the tee set 90 feet above a landing area which is guarded by lakes on both sides and a stream that crosses the fairway 265 yards from the tee. The second shot plays uphill to a well-bunkered elevated green. Although shorter in yardage than our other courses, the South is Eagle Ridge Resort’s most difficult and the best test of your accuracy and shot-making skills.
The East Course: Opened in 1992, this 9-hole, par-34 layout is ideal for beginners, juniors, and for those looking to play undulating greens and beautiful rock outcroppings. The signature hole is #3, a short, tight par 4 with a stream running up the left and a 30-foot rock wall along the right. The hole plays 290 yards through a quiet, secluded valley. The East Course also has completed its bunker improvements by turning all bunkers from sand to grass which enhances playability and speeds up the game. The East also features a massive, undulating, practice putting green — a great place for honing your putting skills.
For locals Eagle Ridge Golf offers a variety of seasonal golf member passes to choose from. Get out and play, we say!
Latest News, Maintenance, Upgrades and Improvements
- Over $3.5 million in golf maintenance equipment has been purchased to improve all golf courses and bring them back to their original playing conditions.
- 275 new golf carts have been added to the resort.
- The Driving range has been enhanced with a 150-foot-long artificial turf pad which will help with allowing grass to heal on the range while still allowing golfers to practice.
- Continued work throughout all course to bring back the natural look of the course by clearing overgrowth, reconditioning bunkers and tee boxes.
- Jacob Schultz is the new Head Golf Professional at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa. He has both resort and private club experience in Iowa as a PGA Associate and Assistant Golf Professional at Dubuque Golf & CC and Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. In 2020, Jacob won the Assistant Golf Professional of the Year award in the Iowa PGA Section. He specializes in golf club fitting, golf club repair, and junior golf programming.
John Schlaman has returned to Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa as the Director of Golf. John has been a PGA Member since 1986. He was the Director of Golf at Eagle Ridge in the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was in the Chicago area at Prairie Landing Golf Club through the 2000’s. John returned to the Galena area in 2021 and re-joined the Eagle Ridge team in 2022.
John’s background and expertise lies in multicourse and public facility management. “My passion is to produce a golf experience that benefits customer enjoyment, creates success for the owner, and provides a welcoming, service-oriented, employee culture”.
The Eagle Ridge teaching and coaching philosophy is to approach each golfer as an individual, and tailor our coaching to what we determine will help the golfer play better, score lower, and get maximum enjoyment from the game of golf.
Please call 815-776-5250 to schedule an appointment to talk golf with John Schlaman.
Lodging & Activities
Accommodations and amenities range from quaint Inn rooms to over 100 villas and distinctive homes, award-winning restaurants, the wonderful new Stonedrift Spa, the winter Trackman Golf Simulator golf complex at Highlands Restaurant, Lounge 289, multiple pro shops and golf grilles, our Country Store, and a gas station.
There is also an incredible selection of outdoor seasonal activities including miles of biking, hiking and horseback riding trails, as well as tennis, hot air balloon rides, boating and fishing on the picturesque 225-acre Lake Galena. Winter is just as much fun with downhill skiing at Chestnut Mountain and sledding, skating, snowshoeing, and bonfire parties at Eagle Ridge.
Families and groups can take advantage of several golf packages that feature spa, dining, lodging and green fees. Package details are online atwww.eagleridge.com, or golfers can call 800-892-2269 with questions, to make reservations or book a tee time.
444 Eagle Ridge Dr.
Galena, IL 61036
1-815-777-5000
