EAGLE RIDGE IS FLYING HIGH AGAIN as the General Turns 25, on May 25th. But then the new Spa will open on July 13th. Learn more by visiting Eagleridge.com today.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

John Schlaman is ready to go on the South Course at Eagle Ridge.

HE’S BACK!!!

But to hear John Schlaman tell it, maybe he never left. Regardless Schlaman is back to his roots in golf, and for Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa that’s a good thing.

Because if you go back to the 1980’s, Schlaman was getting started in golf. He had a great position at Eagle Ridge for a long run, and enjoyed his time there.

But things changed in Galena, and destination golf was changing in the Midwest. There was more places to go, and surrounding states were on the move and recruiting Illinois and Chicago area golfers to come visit.

It didn’t matter, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana were all states building newer properties. Some pretty good ones too.

So Schlaman decided it was time for change in his career. He moved closer to Chicago and ended up in West Chicago at Prairie Landing Golf Club. But the next thing Schlaman knew, 15 years in West Chicago had gone by pretty quickly.

Schlaman then spent a couple of years in Florida before heading back to Galena. He figured it was time to retire, until it wasn’t.

NEW DIRECTOR OF GOLF MIKE WEILER quickly learned Schlaman was back in town. Weiler had immediate need for a South Course manager, so the next thing Schlaman knew, he was back to work.

“They needed the help and so here I am,” said Schlaman. “My career now feels like it’s gone full circle.”

Weiler was quick to sing Schlaman’s praises. ” I think the first weekend John was back with us, he tore apart the South Clubhouse and was cleaning the place from top to bottom. I mean on his hands and knees scrubbing, and shampooing carpets. Relocating shelves and putting merchandise in places where golfers will see it and make a purchase.”

CLCIK HERE to hear the interview with Eagle Ridge South Course Manager John Schlaman.

So now golfers who once said to Schlaman during his Prairie Landing days, “hey I know you from Eagle Ridge.” Can now say, “don’t I know you from Prairie Landing.”

As the summer golf season moves along, Schlaman expects to see plenty of old familiar faces from both Eagle Ridge and Prairie Landing. Because word is getting around, he’s back.

Learn more about Galena’s Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa at Eagleridge.com.