General Golf Course Review, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
Kate and I visited Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, Illinois in May of 2007. We played the three 18 hole layouts, and I thought they all held their own, but clearly the gem of the three is The General.
The General has four sets of tees, but doesn’t use the standard red-white-blue style of naming them. Here, they use 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars (get it, 4-star general? Not bad).
The course starts off easy enough (or one would think). The first is a downhill par 4, with a pretty receptive green. Just don’t be long (which, of course, is easy to do on a downhill hole). The green drops off, and will force you to struggle for a par.
The 4th hole is not a long hole, by any means (376 from the tips), but there is lots of trouble on either side of the fairway, requiring accuracy over length. The approach is pretty easy, as long as you don’t go left. Trust me, it’s a near-death experience (I know; I went left).
At the 5th tee, there is a restroom facility. As most of you may know, ever since I started golfing with my wife, I’ve grown a new sense of appreciation for decent on-course facilities, and The General is up to par here. Very nice and clean.
The 6th hole is a great par 5, and really provides a wonderful view of most of the front 9 when you get on the green. It is potentially reachable in two, but the green is pretty small, and there’s water up the entire right side.
The 9th comes straight back to the clubhouse (as expected). The tee shot is key here; be on the left side of the fairway if you can. There is some foliage on the right which may hinder your shot. There is also a bunker right in front of the green, making anything on the right of a green tough to stick. A par here is all good.
Making the turn, and playing the uphill tenth, you come to the 11th, a great par 3 that is all carry. The green isn’t necessarily small, but it isn’t large by any means. There are no bailout areas, making this a tough par if you miss the green.
The 13th is a long, full par 4 (442 from tips, and even 423 from the 3-star tees), with a slight dogleg to the left. Try to cut as much off at the corner as you can. Once you get to your approach, you’ll see the sky just open up behind the green. It really is a great spot, and the next hole is even more interesting.
By looking at the tee sign, the par 4 14th actually looks pretty short (only 357 from the tips)… Until you see the magnificent 180 foot drop from the tees to the fairway (reminded me of the 13th at the Arthur Hills Golf Course at Boyne). It’s one of those holes where you feel like you can drive it a mile. It’s easily one of my favorite holes on the course (and actually on the entire Eagle Ridge Resort property). Enjoy the view, but be careful; there’s water to the right near the landing zone, and it’s easy to miss it with such a spectacular view.
The 17th is another strong hole, mainly because the tee shot and approach are both fully uphill. It plays to 407 yards from the tips, but is easily 40-50 yards more because of the slope. It also had an “island” fairway, that is actually pretty thin. A par here is like a birdie.
The finishing hole is a par 5, with a split fairway near the final half of the hole. I favored the right side, mainly because it’s a little fatter. With the split fairway, it does allow the opportunity to try to go for it in two, without too much recourse for an errant shot.
All in all, we absolutely loved the golf at Eagle Ridge, especially the General. That being said, we were less than impressed with the resort itself, for a number of reasons. If we were to do it again, we’d stay off property and play the three courses again.
Other Illinois Golf Course Reviews:
North Course, Eagle Ridge Resort, Galena, Illinois
Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois
Harborside International Golf, Port Course, Chicago, Illinois
Makray Memorial Golf Club, Barrington, Illinois
Big Run Golf Club, Lockport, Illinois
Foxford Hills Golf Club, Cary, Illinois
Highland Woods Golf Course, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton, Illinois
Whisper Creek Golf Club, Huntley, Illinois
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