HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY TO THE GENERAL at Eagle Ridge coming on May 25th. But the North Course turns 45, and the South Course is 38. Learn more at EagleRidge.com
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook. On the 18th green of The General at Eagle Ridge.
EAGLE RIDGE is getting back on track.
I spent part of last week in Galena, on the ridge I like to say.
But what was really good to see, was the resort is getting back on track.
The Eagle had landed for a while. But has brushed off it’s feathers and starting to fly once more.
Why is that !
Enter new owner Mark Klausner, who actually has a home in the Galena Territory not far from the renovated General Clubhouse. Klausner got tired of seeing conditions and quality slip. So he bought the resort from a New York based ownership, and with that things started to change.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS was to take inventory of what the resort had or didn’t have. One of things Eagle Ridge didn’t have was golf course maintenance equipment that was running or working very well.
When the superintendent told Klausner of problems with the equipment, the decision became simple. Because it was time for new equipment. A phone to call to Moline based John Deere, saw a three-year deal come together and the beginning of new Deere tractors and more arriving in Galena. Millions of dollars of new equipment is arriving, and golf course upkeep is getting back on track.
THAT NEW SPA will be over 15,000 square feet. It sits on the site that used to belong to the resorts General store. Which is now part of the General Clubhouse that houses the new Highlands Restaurant. The General Clubhouse has a new pro shop, bar, restaurant and outdoor dining deck.
KLAUSNER decided there would be no more complaints about the building being too hot in the summer, and to cold in other months. Because those problems have been resolved with the addition of six new air conditioners, and two new boilers.
The Clubhouses at the golf courses have had new and needed woodpecker proof siding. There are seven massive solar panels around the property, and the natural gas is believe it or not, is cheaper than the propane that was being used. So the end result is that energy costs are down for the resort.
Golfers on Golf has series of stories coming up about the new look Eagle Ridge, the best golf resort in Illinois. So stay clicked-in.
GOLF MEDIA DAYS are on tap this week. The WGA Korn Ferry Tour event, the Evans Scholars Invitational (ESI) arrives at the Glen Club in Glenview. The Senior PGA comes to Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, and Harborside International in Chicago teams with KemperSports on a new project with the City of Chicago.
ILLINOIS GOLF-gets ready for the regional at the Yale Golf Course in New Haven CT. Illinois needs a top 5 finish to make it to nationals. I caught up with Coach Mike Small and he had some thoughts about the post season in Division 1 college golf.
CLICK HERE to hear the interview with Illini Men’s Coach Mike Small.
THE HOT WEATHER IS HERE so get out and enjoy warmer and drier golf courses in the Chicago area.
Finally, property upgrades are on their way to Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove, including to the clubs White Course. Drew Rogers will be the architect.
SOMETHING IS GETTING READY TO POP with the WGA and the BMW Championship, stay tuned. RS