Eagle Springs Golf Resort facts for kids
Eagle Springs Golf Resort is a fun place in Eagle, Wisconsin. It has a 9-hole golf course. People have been playing golf here since 1893!
How It All Started
The story of Eagle Springs Golf Resort began a long time ago. In 1866, John and Mary Tuohy settled on the land. It was a very large farm, about 601 acres.
In 1893, John Tuohy sold the land to his son, William. William thought it was a perfect spot for a golf course. He built a big resort there. It had a grand hotel, 12 small houses called cottages, and an 18-hole golf course. Many people came to visit. They came from cities like Milwaukee, Waukesha, and even Chicago.
When the golf course first opened, it cost only 25 cents to play 18 holes. William Tuohy was very kind. He often let people play for free if they didn't have enough money.
Changes Over Time
In 1920, something sad happened. William's daughter passed away. It was too painful for him to stay at the resort. He left for a year. When he came back, he decided to sell the hotel building. It was even moved to a new location!
After a while, William started to focus on the golf course again. He wanted to make it better. A famous sports company, A. G. Spalding, helped design the first two holes. But William wanted the other holes to follow the natural shape of the land.
Later, a tough time called the Great Depression hit. Many businesses struggled. The resort had to make changes. The golf course was cut down from 18 holes to 9 holes. It has stayed that size ever since.
Family Ownership
William Tuohy passed away in 1939. His wife, Kitty, then ran the resort. She had help from her son, Brian William Tuohy, and her daughter, Mary Tuohy Ryan. Her granddaughter, Mary Ann Ryan, also helped.
After Kitty passed away in the 1950s, the property was inherited by her children and granddaughter. Today, the resort is owned by Michael Bolan. He is a fifth-generation member of the Tuohy family! Mary Ann Ryan was Michael Bolan's mother.
Eagle Springs Today
Eagle Springs Golf Resort is still owned by the Tuohy family. Michael Bolan is the current owner. Nine of the original twelve cottages are still there. People can rent these cottages during the summer months.
The golf course is still popular. In 2011, one of its holes was even named special. The second hole was called the ninth best par 3 hole in the entire state of Wisconsin!
