GALENA, IL. – Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa has been on an upswing since Mark Klausner bought the resort in 2019. He was a hands-on owner and improved all phases of the operation, though the moving of the original spa and creation of the spectacular new Stonedrift Spa was clearly his pet project.
Klausner passed on after a cancer battle on Aug. 8, 2025 at the age of 76. He was a successful businessman before he and wife Kathy moved to Galena 26 years ago.
Kathy took on the role of majority owner after Mark’s passing, which came a week short of their 55th wedding anniversary. The Klausners had two sets of twins among their six children.
“This (place) was his love,’’ said Kathy. “We worked so well as a team. Mark always wanted things done on the outside, and I had visions for the inside. It feels like he’s watching me from above. The ballroom was my first priority.’’
The new ballroom will be called the Vista and combine timeless elegance with soaring walls of glass that provide beautiful panoramic views of Lake Galena. It will be especially desirable for weddings.
“Mark had a vision, and Kathy is going to continue that vision,’’ said Colin Sanderson, in his 13th year as the resort’s director of sales and marketing. “Mark was very, very proud of this resort and what he did with it.’’
The most notable difference from before Mark took ownership probably was the golf courses. Eagle Ridge has 63 holes, ranging from the North Course which is nearing its 50th anniversary to The General, which opened in 1997 and is a spectacular layout with sweeping elevation changes. All were designed by the late Roger Packard.
“Time took a toll on our golf courses,” admitted Sanderson of the years leading into Klauser taking ownerership. “Once Mark took over he recognized the golf courses needed immediate attention and put capital resources needed to bring the courses back to their original condition and, in some cases, even better. Our sales group typically books 80-85 golf groups (a year) — and that’s of 20 or more people. One group now has 120 people and we topped 105 golf groups — 40 more than we ever had.”
The General got a new look this year as director of golf John Schlaman, in his second term of duty at the resort, unveiled a first cut between the fairways and rough on The General. He hopes to use it at all the resort’s courses
“It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is,’’ said Schlaman. “This year we had lots of rain, and the first cut is the most luscious part of the rough. It’s nice if you miss the fairway by two or three feet and still have a decent lie. It’s a huge upgrade at any golf course.’’
There were other big changes at the resort, which has 80 guest rooms and over 150 homes located on its 6,800 acres. Joe Langley came in as restaurant manager and Brandon Veitch is now designing all the menus at the resort’s three restaurants. Steve Geisz continues as the general manager and is responsible for day-to-day operations.
“It’s all been positive,’’ said Kathy Klausner, who is majority owner and heads more of a family ownership group. Two family members have taken places on the resort’s board of directors.
“There’s so much excitement with new people working here,’’ she said. “This field can be very transient. Every year you’re opening your house up to people you don’t know and have to make them want to come. It’s scary, but not with good people behind you.’’
And people will come.
In addition to the abundance of great golf there’s more than ample dining on the outskirts of a most interesting town. Galena is historic, as the home of Ulysses S. Grant, a respected Civil War general and President of the United States. The city also has lots of shops and a variety of dining options to supplement Eagle Ridge’s constantly changing attractions.
The resort has new pickleball courts, the swimming pool has been refreshed and there’ll be sunset cruises on Lake Galena. In the winter there’ll be a 40 by 80-foot outdoor ice skating rink, a Nordic Center and sledding on the 10th hole of The General and miles of snow shoeing paths. There’ll also be two igloos available for special winter entertaining.
The 12,000 square foot Stonedrift Spa is introducing a floating sound bath in the swimming pool. It’s billed as a “deeply restorative experience.’’ Also coming are the Ashiatsu barefoot massage and head spa treatments.
“Things you can’t get in this area,’’ said Sanderson, “and there are lots of things in the process of getting done. Things just keep on going. We’re fully staffed and ready to go.’’
