Eagle Ridge is Crown Jewel of
Galena, The Galena Territory

by Daniel Hines
Publisher
America's Seniors/TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

Our first visit to Eagle Ridge and the Galena Territory was last Fall.  At that time, we wrote of our amazement at the sheer beauty and style of the several thousand-acre facility.

For those of us from Missouri, used to the crowded, somewhat poorly planned region around the Lake of the Ozarks, The Galena Territory and Eagle Ridge offer an example of how tourism as a business can be planned in a fashion that preserves the natural beauty of the region.

Our first visit was too short.  This time, we were determined to find out more about Eagle Ridge and to examine what we believe to be one of the best examples of a total service orientation that makes a vacation experience at Eagle Ridge a total experience.

The fact is one simply should immerse themselves in the Eagle Ridge experience.  The lodge facilities are well done, but for those people looking for a real getaway, Eagle Ridge also has nearly 400 private residences available for rent.

The facilities are privately owned, and range from villas to town houses to mansions.  They are ideally designed to meet the vacation or getaway requirements of any person or family.

There is just so much to do. The area is only a short drive from downtown Galena and its historic sites and many attractions. Eagle Ridge itself offers golf, tennis, swimming, a health club, hiking trails, hot air balloon rides, bicycling, horseback riding, a health club, excellent dining and a staff that is among the most hospitable and helpful that we have seen.

Eagle Ridge and Galena are well suited for each other. The community reflects a pride of its heritage and its emphasis upon quality service as a primary destination site for visitors.

Eagle Ridge reinforces that philosophy.  Consider:

Eagle Ridge is located at the Galena Territory 6,800 acre development and includes 63 championship holes of golf, the 80 room Eagle Ridge Inn, a rental pool of 390 resort homes and a world class equestrian center. We were especially impressed with the potential to serve the vacation needs of families.

For example, on our first visit we stayed at a private residence of a family member.  This time, we stayed at one of the villas, located at Oak Glen 8, a private two bedroom, residence available for rental.  The villa was wonderfully decorated, overlooked a golf course and backed up to a treed area.

While our villa was designed for a smaller group, our visit soon revealed that Eagle Ridge was also the ideal location for family vacations of any size.

In the light of the 9-11 tragedy, an increasing number of people are likely looking for vacation sites that can accommodate larger groups, such as families. 

What better destination than one of the larger homes at Eagle Ridge, which sports homes with larger facilities, including one that has a dining room that seats 20 people.

Significantly, Mom doesn't have to worry about cooking such a meal since Eagle Ridge offers catering service, and, during Thanksgiving even has the food delivered by employees in Pilgrim dress.

It's that attitude that sets Eagle Ridge apart from other lodges and facilities.  It offers everything, including a health club, wonderful indoor swimming, hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, tennis, fishing on a stocked lake, boating and, of course, golf.

Golf is one of the biggest attractions of The Galena Territory. 

Eagle Ridge was purchased on May 22, 1998 by Golf Trust of America. Troon Golf, America's leading high-end golf development is managing the resort.Golfweek recently ranked The General at Eagle Ridge Inn & Resort in Galena as the second best public course in Illinois. The article, which appeared in a March issue of the publication, used a strict set of criteria to evaluate golf courses across all 50 states. In the end, Eagle Ridge’s facilities were among the best.

Opened in 1997, The General joined the resort’s other two 18-hole golf courses in national acclaim, solidifying the resort’s stance as the "Golf Capital of the Midwest."

Eagle Ridge and The Galena Territory truly are the Crown Jewel of the Galena experience.  It offers the opportunity for a unique vacation experience that is filled with memorable moments.