The South Course was a great closing round to our weekend at the Eagle Ridge Resort. The layout, topography and dramatic views on The South were a great combination of what we experienced on both The North Course and The General.

Although shorter in yardage than the other courses, the South gets its difficulty by testing your accuracy and shot-making skills.

Opened in 1984 and voted one of the top 75 upscale courses in the country, the South Course winds through a beautiful wooded valley where streams come into play on 11 of 18 holes.

For more on Eagle Ridge and the golf and resort experience there, check out Paul’s earlier post, “Eagle Ridge: Midwest Golf, Elevated,” linked here:

Holes 1 & 2

The opening par 4 & 5 have large fairways and forgiving roughs allowing you to settle in.

These holes gave the greatest impression of resort golf to me as compared to the rest of the layout. Minimal hazards and bunkers just near the green may lull you into a false sense of security, but the course will only get harder from here.

Hole 4

A narrow treelined fairway makes the 4th one of the toughest holes on the course, in my opinion. Unless you can drop your driver on a small target, opt for a more accurate club off the tee. The hole plays only 325 from the men’s tees so you will most likely have a short approach shot either way. This is a satisfying birdie opportunity if you can string a couple of good shots together.

Hole 9

The number 2 handicap will take you over a river and next to a beautiful pond, but don’t get distracted by the picturesque layout. If you manage to stay dry off the tee the green is guarded by a pair of front bunkers while the pond beckons your ball on the right.

The only part of this hole that is easy is the green. A relatively flat putting surface will give you a good shot at birdie or saving par (if you went in the water like me!).

Hole 10

With the front 9 complete, stepping onto the tee box at 10 will knock the wind right out of you.

This rambling par 4 plays 440 from the back tees and demands accuracy above all else. A right sloping fairway will catch any slicers and send their shots bounding toward the river.

A crescent bunker guards the right side of the green and a severely sloped left side poses an even greater risk. A somewhat hidden bailout is provided long and right so use that as your safety net. Be extremely happy with a par on this hole.

Hole 12

My favorite hole on the course has to be the 12th. The double dog leg, tight tree line and unique bunkering all combine to make it memorable.

Although a shorter par 4, as is the theme on the South Course, I opted for driver off the tee. I narrowly avoided the left fairway bunker and managed to hit a 10 yard wide patch of fairway leaving a 50 yard approach into the circular green.

The bordering river on one side and fescue area on the other created one of the more secluded spots on the course. This is a hole that could be played in so many different ways and provides a challenge for all level of golfers.

Hole 13

The longest of the par 3s, the 13th hole was a “fun” opportunity to hit a long iron off the tee.

An elevated tee box looks down at an oversized green flanked by 2 large bunkers. While this large putting surface may have you feeling good about your chances, this hole is sneaky hard. A snaking river, leaning trees and bright sand will all mix in your subconscious while standing over your ball.

Hole 18

The signature hole of the South Course has to be 18, a 406-yard par 4 with the tees set looking down at the clubhouse below.

A narrow landing area is guarded by water on both sides and a stream that crosses the fairway. I had to take 2 mulligans off this tee just to get one in play.

The lengthy second shot plays uphill to a well-bunkered and plateaued green. I watched helplessly as the bunkers took their toll on Paul as I had already maxed out my score.

Needless to say our sorrows on 18 left a sinking feeling as we walked off – we had been bested.

Replay Anyone?

The South Course is one I would definitely want another crack at. It is a round that when you finish you think “I would have played that hole differently” but for all 18. A good mix of hole lengths, designs and views all contributed to an excellent experience at the South Course.

Have you been to Eagle Ridge in Galena? Where does the South Course rank for you among the North, South, East and General?