Galena’s Eagle Ridge, long been Illinois’ premier golf resort, has brought in a new instructor who knows the area well.
Scott Szbowicz went to Eagle Ridge on his honeymoon 41 years ago. Szybowicz and his wife, Jane, have been squeezing in regular visits to Eagle Ridge during his 37 years as a PGA member. Now the connection with the resort is getting more serious.
Szybowicz is in the process of transitioning his golf instruction efforts to Eagle Ridge, and that’ll be a big boost to the pro shop operation directed by John Schlaman.
“John’s excited about the quality of the facility that Eagle Ridge is,’’ said Szybowicz. “It needs an instruction program, so this is such a natural fit. That’s my function – to develop programs. For now I’ll have the whole load. It’ll be a very busy summer.’’
Schlaman started his career as an assistant professional at Eagle Ridge and moved up to the head job of the resort’s South Course before leaving for 14 years to direct the operation at Prairie Landing, in West Chicago. He eventually returned to Galena as a resident, and in 2022 was named the resort’s director of golf.
Szybowicz is going in a similar direction. He taught golf at a variety of locations in the Chicago area and is now completing a corporate project that isn’t in the golf industry while planning the move to Galena. He’ll be playing a major role in developing an instruction program there.
“It’ll be part-time initially,’’ said Szybowicz. “I’ll be there most weekends and holidays and make myself as accessible as I can.’’
Eagle Ridge is a 63-hole facility that has made major upgrades since Mark Klausner took over ownership of the resort in 2018.
Szybowicz was a PGA golf coach and golf instructor at Antioch Golf Club; Prestwick, in Frankfort; Thorngate (formerly in Deerfield) and Mission Hills, in Northbrook. He also taught at the Chicago Athletic Association, the Saddle & Cycle Club and Chicago’s Diversey Range while running his own golf school.
Currently a Volo resident, Szybowicz and his wife plan to live full-time in Galena.
“It’s in a setting that doesn’t look like Illinois,’’ said Szybowicz. “It looks like Ireland. We’ve always loved it and have friends who moved there.’’
Eagle Ridge will soon be a hopping place for golfers. Only the South Course is open now, but The General opens on Friday (APRIL 18), the North on April 25 and the nine-hole East on May 2.
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