The course has only had deer on its greens and fairways since closing in 2018, but Dean Erickson hopes to change that.

Spread Eagle Golf Course was established in 1972 and purchased by Erickson’s parents, Ronald and JoAnn Erickson, in 1988.

It is a nine-hole, par 36 course across 60 acres, with a small clubhouse that has a bar to enjoy a drink after a round of golf. The course is registered with the United States Golf Association.

Erickson said he used to describe the course as “wooded” until the oak wilt that is affecting the area killed off most of the oak trees on the course; it is now possible to see from one fairway to the next.

DEAN ERICKSON, THE owner of Spread Eagle Golf Course, plans to reopen the business in 2025. Erickson’s family has owned the course since 1988. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

Sitting right on the busy U.S. 2, the course was popular with locals and tourists alike, Erickson said.

Being only nine holes was a selling point as well, he said.

“Some people like to go and do an hour-and-a-half to two hours, have a drink and go home; they do not want to do 18 holes,” Erickson said. “Also, we were always on the lower part of the spectrum as far as green fees were concerned — $15 was the last price for nine holes.”

Along with his parents, Erickson ran the golf course for many years until a stroke in August 2013 forced to step away. Recovery was years in the making and Erickson moved to Wrightstown, Wis., where he became the village president.

After he left, a nephew took over day-to-day operations, starting a decline that led to the course shutting down in 2018.

“When I was taken out of the equation, it kind of just slowly went to the ground,” Erickson said. “My nephew was involved and he changed the greens that were the nicest greens in the area.”

Erickson said he never gave up on the golf course and always hoped to have it open again but had another priority — taking care of his elderly parents instead of having them go into a nursing home.

Last October, while he was in the process of putting the golf course back together, Erickson suffered another stroke. Luckily this one was not as serious as the first and he did not let it slow him down this time.

Erickson will spend this golf season getting the course back in shape. The most important part of the rebuild is growing out the greens — for the past several weeks, Erickson has been treating them with Roundup weed killer and has grass seed to plant when ready.

Another ongoing project is taking out the dead trees and branches that have fallen on the course. Erickson has already removed more than100 trees, including stumps, and estimates he still has another 50 to go. He plans to plant new trees to replace all the ones that have died.

Erickson said he’s been overwhelmed by the support from the community.

“G&G Forest Products from Florence are coming out with a crew on Monday. They are going to pick up and take away the piles of branches,” Erickson said. “Where do you get that? People do not do that nowadays. That is how much they love this golf course. The people of Florence are just tremendous.”

Erickson is looking forward to opening and is not worried golfers may not come back.

“No risk. I do not like risk. My parents loved this place and people love this place and you can tell by the outcry for a real nine-hole course that they will be here,” Erickson said. “I believe in people.”