Fun Meter score: 8.5
Location: Galena, Ill.
Course architect: Roger B. Packard with Andy North
Opened: 1997.
Par: 72
Yardage/Rating/Slope: Black 6,726/72.8/141; Gold 6,280/70.7/136; White 5,917/69.1/132; Jade 5,240/66.0/125.
Saturday morning green fee: $$135 May though September, $115 October to winter closing.
Caddie service: No.
Walker friendly: No.
Fairways: Pennlinks Bentgrass.
Greens: Pennlinks Bentgrass.
THE REVIEW
Starter: The General is the premier course at the Eagle Ridge Resort, which has 63 holes and is the only full-service golf resort in Illinois. In its 40th season, Eagle Ridge also has North, South and East courses, all of them designed by the late Roger B. Packard. While The General is clearly the showcase layout, it has rarely been tested in tournament competition. Usually the North is used for that, just because the extreme elevation changes make The General a difficult course to walk.
Play because….: There’s no course like The General in Illinois and very few in the Midwest. It’s all about dealing with elevation changes and the greens have interesting undulations as well. There’s a 250-foot elevation change throughout the layout and the views offered are stunning.
Takeaway: In its early years The General was considered too challenging for all but the best players. That’s not the case anymore, as the course has matured, its conditioning has improved and its maximum length (under 6,800 yards) isn’t intimidating. Playing from the correct set of tees, though, is still a must. The General is on the tight side, so players who get caught up in the scenery will be in for trouble.
RATINGS (1 to 10, 10 being the highest)
Food|beverage: 8.0
Pro shop: 7.5
Clubhouse: 8.5
Course difficulty: 9.5
Pace of play: 9.0
THE COURSE scorecard
Best Par 3: No. 11, 163 yards from the tips. You must carry a huge, deep ravine that runs from just in front of the tee box to the very front of the green. The ultimate in a forced carry.
Best Par 4: No. 13, 357 yards from the tips. Not really a difficult hole, but there’s a 180-foot elevation from the tee to the fairway, making for a dramatic, most memorable tee shot. You can see three states – Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin – from the tee.
Best Par 5: No. 18, 520 yards from the tips. Tight finishing hole from tee to green with subtle elevation changes mixed in. View of the elevated clubhouse throughout your path to the green brings a picturesque finish to your round.
Website: www.eagleridge.com
Phone:815-777-5000.
Facebook: @EagleRidgeResort
Instagram: @Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
Twitter: @EagleRidge63
Rated by: Len Ziehm