Community Receives Strong Support From Golf Club
By Nancy Leonard,
Of the Independent
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
While it wasn’t until 1996 that the Eagle Point Golf Course had its official grand opening, there was an initial celebration in 1995, lots were being sold and housing was under construction.
There were several celebrations surrounding the golf course. The project was first introduced to the Eagle Point Planning Commission in January, 1992. The groundbreaking ceremony was initially planned for April 15, 1994. The actual groundbreaking was held on July 15, 1994.
Robert Trent Jones’ firm had constructed some 160 courses around the world by the time he decided to do more than construct a course. He wanted to own one, and the one he selected to own was the Eagle Point Golf Course. He was in and out of Eagle Point numerous times as the course was developed. We understand he was a recent visitor at the course, which is now under the ownership of Cris Galpin and is legally called Eagle Point Golf Club.
About 50 or so guests were invited to play the new course on the New Year’s Eve, 1995. So while it wasn’t ready for general public use for several months, the course opened to those invited from the Eagle Point area in 1995. Among those who played on that memorable day were Mike Johnston, then coach of Eagle Point High School football, Wayne Brown, who owned Eagle Thrift Market (now city hall), Elmer Harnish, now deceased, Mayor Dave McFall, and numerous others. The photographer was Mike Leonard.
Again, activity in the area began long before the formalities. The grand opening for the second residential area, Pine Lakes, was held on Mar. 24, 1996. One lot sold for $65,000. Several were in the $95,000 bracket, while the highest price lot was $225,000 in that portion of the development.
Today there are some 500 homes in the development. When complete, it is anticipated there will be 1500 residences. A small retail center, Poppy Village, has been developed at the corner of Alta Vista and So. Shasta, along with a number of condominiums.
At the grand opening, Grant Spaeth, past president of the U.S. Golf Association told those gathered, “I don’t see this as a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for a new business. I see this as the launching of a treasured community resource.”
Eagle Point Golf Club has become part of the community and the extended community by hosting a number of benefits and by encouraging Eagle Point High School golf students and this year, Crater High School golf students to utilize the course. They have hosted a number of high school tournaments, including district events. Eagle Point golf Course is a major contributor to the ACCESS program by hosting that tourney. The Shady Cove Invitational—coming up again next month—tees off at Eagle Point. Sue Galpin is actively involved with the District 9 Foundation as a board member. And Sue and Cris are contributors to the scholarship program in District 9.
Eagle Point Golf Club and community has been the catalyst for the rapid growth in Eagle Point. Butte Crest sub-division had the newest, most expensive homes in Eagle Point in 1992. It consisted of two streets, Teakwood and Shadowlawn, each only about two blocks in length. The homes on Alta Vista between So. Shasta and Riley Road could almost be counted on two hands. There were some mini farms on Vista Park Drive and in that area.
It has taken longer for the commercial growth, but when you rank first or second percentage-wise in growth in the state, businesses begin to take notice. In the works are a new dental office and Premier West Bank. Wal-Mart is nearing the final stage of approval and a small retail center at Nita Way and So. Shasta will be before the planning commission in August.
In addition, there are new schools, the fire department is brand new and part of Fire District No. 3 and a new library has been built as has Eagle Cove Assisted Living.
In-fill, building houses on larger lots behind houses, building zero-lot line structures, condominiums and townhouses, is taking nearly all the available land within the city limits. It won’t be long until the city will begin the process of expanding the urban growth boundary.
Used by permission.