The Eagle River area has long been known as an outdoorsmen’s haven, from fishing to snowmobiling there is something for every season. In the last 20 years another activity has come to the forefront in the Northwoods – golf. During the past two decades a number of courses have been opened, expanded or redesigned making the Eagle River area a top destination for golf in Wisconsin. Within 40 minutes of the Wild Eagle Lodge there are five beautiful and challenging courses offering unique experiences as they wind their way through the woods. The staff here at Wild Eagle Lodge invites you to come up and give these great courses a try. We will be more than happy to help you arrange everything for your perfect golf outing in the Eagle River area. We have packages for every season and are more than happy to create a custom package tailored specifically to you.
Eagle River Golf Course
www.eaglerivergolfcourse.com
Located just minutes from the resort grounds, this 4-star rated golf course was redesigned in 1988. This course is great for people of all ages and skill levels, offering an ideal place to both learn the game and hone your skills. I have played this course many times during my time in the area and have always walked away having a good experience, but not always a good score. Lessons are available with golf pro Brad Missling.
St. Germain Golf Course
www.stgermain-golfclub.com
This course is a short drive from Wild Eagle Lodge and well worth it. Expanded in 1996 to 18 holes the St. Germain Golf Course is rated as a four-and-a-half star course and one of the Best Places to Play from Golf Digest. I played this course with my brother in-laws shortly after it was expanded and had a great time. The course makes great use of the natural elements of the Northwood’s making the golfer negotiate around trees and water for 18 holes. All this combined keeps the St. Germain Golf Course as a favorite of Wild Eagle Lodge guests.
Trout Lake Golf and Country Club
www.troutlakegolf.com
The oldest course in the area certainly does not show its age. Located 30 minutes from the Wild Eagle Lodge the Trout Lake Golf and Country Club was opened in 1924 as a nine hole course, it was expanded a few years later. The Trout Lake Golf and Country Club has received a four-star rating as well as being ranked as one of the Best Places to Play from Golf Digest. I have not had an opportunity to play this course yet, but I am looking forward to my first round. We asked golf pro Mike Osborne to describe his favorite hole on the course:
Our favorite hole is #18. This is a great hole for all because it’s only a 260 yard par four, which is drivable off the tee. Our clubhouse sits in the background and in the evening the illumination is awesome. You have to hit it at least 100 yards to carry the water. Once that is accomplished, you should only be about 100 or so yards out from a well bunkered green. The green has three well placed bunkers and slopes from back to front. You do not want to go over this green. This is not a hard hole if played correctly.
Although some do drive the green and have an eagle putt, very few actually accomplish that!
In addition to 18 great holes of golf the Trout Lake Golf and Country Club offers one of the best practice facilities in the area. Lessons are available if you are looking to improve your game.
Timber Ridge Golf Club
www.timberridgegolfclub.com
Timber Ridge Golf Club is located 40 minutes from the resort grounds here at Wild Eagle Lodge. This course offers another great practice facility and lessons with golf pro Tom Dolby. I have played Timber Ridge twice since I have been in the area and found it remarkable each time. This course winds around a private community in Minocqua, Wis giving you the feeling of playing at an exclusive club. This course makes great use of bunkers to truly test your skills. My favorite use of a bunker is on a par three on the back nine, the left side of the green is bordered by an elevated green. Despite my best efforts I have put my ball in this trap both times I have played. It leaves you with a difficult chip to the green to save par.
Northwood Golf Club
www.northwoodgolfclub.com
Northwood Golf Club was opened in 1989 and has won numerous awards since then including receiving a four-and-a-half star rating and ranked as the third best municipal course in America from Golf Digest. Northwood Golf Club holds a special place with me as well, I first played this course when I was 12 years old and it solidified my love of the game. Good shots are rewarded with well-kept fairways and fast greens, while poor shots are rewarded with the repeated thunk of your ball ricocheting off trees. We asked golf pro Dan Buckley to describe his favorite hole:
We have so many great holes at Northwood but my first pick would be number four. This hole is a straight away par four to a landing area bordered by virgin forests on both sides of the fairway. The hole measures: gold tees 402 yds, blue 380, white 360 and red 301. The hole is played with a driver or three wood to a level fairway hoping to play your second shot from around the 150 yard area. The green is 40 yards long and 13 yards wide and runs diagonal to the fairway. The green is protected by a pond left and a sand bunker on the right side. If you have reached the green in regulation, congratulations. The work isn’t over yet, with a severely sloping green from back to front which makes putting a premium. If you make a par four on this difficult hole, you will have picked up a shot on the rest of the field.
Personally my favorite hole is number 17, a sharp dogleg left to a green protected by water. This hole was a nemesis of mine for years, I would try to play the dogleg and hit the long shot over the water instead of playing it safe. Normally I would end up leaving the shot short and putting my ball into the drink. However, a few years ago I made this shot and landed the ball on the green in two for my first birdie, a feat I have yet to repeat on number 17. Northwood Golf Course also offers lessons with golf pro Mike Osborne or assistant pro Kevin Webster.
A guest from this spring had this to say about one of our golf packages here at Wild Eagle Lodge: “Staff was very friendly and helpful from our reservations and setting up our tee times at the area golf courses that we chose to play. They helped us with our questions about nightlife in the area for when we finished our golf games and for eating establishments in the area.” (review from TripAdvisor.com) We look forward to seeing you soon; if you have any questions about golfing in the area please do not hesitate to contact me.
See you on the links,
Justin