The history of Eagle Springs has been passed down through the generations with a combination of oral history and documentation provided at the time. We continue to research and find fascinating details and descriptions both on the property and in the public record. We will continue to add to this history as we learn more in our research.
In 1866 Irish Immigrants, John and Mary Tuohy, arrived from Boston and settled on the western shores of Eagle Springs Lake to start a farm. The barnyard fence from the farm still exists today around the maintenance barn of the course.
In 1893 John sold his portion of the land to his son, William. William decided that the area would be an ideal vacation spot, and established a resort including a grand hotel, 12 cottages and an 18-hole golf course. He hired A.G. Spaulding, a former pitcher and manager of the Chicago Cubs, to design the first two holes and he let nature dictate the rest of the 18-holes. The resort served as an exclusive destination for guests from Chicago, Milwaukee and Waukesha. Horse drawn buggies met vacationers at the train stations in Eagle and Mukwonago. Hotel rates at this time were $2.00 per day and golf was 25 cents for 18-holes.
In 1920 William’s beloved daughter, Agnes Ellen Tuohy, died unexpectedly at 21 years old.
In 1921 he ordered the hotel closed and put it up for sale. Then, it was razed and sold that year. William turned his attention exclusively to upgrading and improving the golf course.
After the Great Depression in 1929, the golf course was reduced to 9-holes. Financial reasons, the difficulty of maintaining the course during a drought, and a lack of employees were some of the factors that led to this decision.
The old hotel’s laundry building is currently the Clubhouse for the golf course. The old icehouse for the hotel serves as the cottage next to the 9th green. Many reminders of the past are displayed in this cherished and antique building such as; the original cherry wood tables and chairs from the resort and the cherry wood bar from the hotel. The wrought iron sign with the Tuohy name has been engulfed by the tree on the drive into the course. One Spring House that provided water for the property is still standing.
Nine of the original cottages remain and have been seasonally rented by the same families for up to 50 years. Each year those families are welcomed in the time with the sights and sounds associated with a lifetime of family memories. Both the golf course and the cottages epitomize the legacy of Eagle Springs Golf Resort.
Fifth generation owner, Mike Bolan, and his family oversaw a period of time where Eagle Springs Golf Resort was recognized as Golf Magazine’s “First 100 Clubs in America.” It was honored to be recognized as the 2006 and 2007 Nine-Hole Course of the Year by Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin. In 2020, it was recognized as the 23rd Best Nine Hole Course in the World by Golf Magazine.
In 2021, Eagle Springs Golf Resort was passed to the sixth generation. Anne Krug is Mike Bolan’s niece by marriage. Anne and her husband Matt are excited to carry on the Eagle Springs traditions.
