The General at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, Galena, Illinois - The Crowning Achievement and Most Spectacular of the Resort's Golf Courses

The General Course, which debuted in 1997, is considered the crowning achievement and the most spectacular of the Eagle Ridge Resort's four golf courses. Designed by Roger Packard and two-time U.S. Open Champion Andy North, the 18-hole, par-72 course plays to 6,820 yards from the "4 star'' tees, with a USGA rating of 73.8 and a slope rating of 137.

The grounds are said to be "flawless,'' with Penlinks bent grass greens and fairways, Pencross bent grass tees, and bluegrass rough. The General Course sits atop the Galena Territory and terrain unique to the region. Ice age glaciers carved the land and left behind some steep hills, limestone cliffs and breathtaking views, and the General Course reflects those characteristics.

The General Course has received a 4?-star rating as well as a 2002 ranking by GOLF Magazine as the #52 Best Public Course in the country. The course features twisting, rolling, undulating fairways defined by plenty of trees, tall fescue grasses and natural heather rough, some dramatic elevation changes, picturesque water hazards, and beautiful vistas. It's not uncommon to find tee boxes located on the sides of hills.

One of the more noteworthy holes is the par-4 No. 9. Golfers begin with a nerve-testing tee shot and a forced carry over a deep valley of wildflowers to reach the fairway.

Hole No. 10 is one of the more challenging par-4s on the course. At 396 yards, the hole feels much longer as it's all uphill, including a tee shot that crosses water to a fairway guarded by a deep, wooded ravine. Upon reaching the green, golfers will find it nestled amid trees at the top of a hill, so another accurate shot is required.

Another noteworthy hole is the par-3 No. 11. This par-3 is all carry with virtually no room for error, as the hole plays downhill and tee shots must carry another valley of heather and wildflowers. Don't miss the green either, because it sits atop an elevated rise and slopes off in all directions.

Hole No. 14 is another magnificent setting and a downhill hole with a drop of 180 feet. At 357 yards from the back tees, golfers will probably feel like they can drive the ball forever and reach the hole in one. Just don't miss the fairway, as it's lined by trees and the rough slopes off sharply to the right to more trees and water that may not be visible from the tee.

The resort offers practice facilities, including a range located at the North Course, with seven target greens. The South Course features a pitching and bunker area with two greens, and all four courses offer practice putting greens. For instruction, the resort has a private Golf Academy with a new 10,000-square-foot chipping and putting green.

The General Course has its own clubhouse, a 10,000-square-foot facility with locker rooms, golf shop, Spikes Bar & Grill and a premier Steak House restaurant for dining and relaxing.

In addition to golf, the resort offers thousands of acres of rolling hills and a lake, all within easy driving distance of Chicago. The resort also features a spa and activities, such as horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, boating, fishing, and sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, sledding and ice skating in winter.