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

The Ericksons’ son, Dean, ran the golf course along with his parents for many years until he suffered a stroke and was forced to step away. Recovery took years and he eventually would move to Wrightstown, Wis., where he became the village president.

After Erickson left, others took over the day-to-day operations, but the course declined to the point it was shut down in 2018.

But Erickson, who remained the owner, 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.

THE SPREAD EAGLE Golf Course is at 2204 U.S. 2 in Spread Eagle, Wis. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

In October 2023, while he was in the process of putting the 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 spent the 2024 season restoring the course, with the most important project being replanting the greens.

Another huge task was removing almost 150 dead trees that fell victim to oak wilt that has plagued the area.

Recently, Dean Erickson has been joined by daughter Margo Erickson, who is now the director of operations.

Margo Erickson was most recently a cognitive and behavioral therapist and worked with children with disabilities. She also has a degree in business leadership and knows about golf course operations, having grown up doing whatever she could to help in Spread Eagle.

THE CLUBHOUSE AT the Spread Eagle Golf Course, 2204 U.S. 2 in Spread Eagle, Wis. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

She acknowledged a small army of volunteers came together to help them get the course back up and running.

The site 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.

Before the oak wilt, Dean Erickson would have described the course as “wooded,” but it is now possible to see from one fairway to the next.

“The fairways were narrow, but now it is a lot more open, which sometimes can add a challenge to the course,” Margo Erickson said.

It will take a couple of years to get the fairways back into the shape they would like, Margo Erickson added, but for now Spread Eagle Golf Course is a great place to play natural golf.

ONE OF THE FAIRWAYS at the 9-hole Spread Eagle Golf Course, which recently reopened. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

“I had a guy come in and just say, ‘This is the way to play golf,'” Margo Erickson said. “There is rough here and there.”

She noted that describes the atmosphere as well — Spread Eagle Golf Course is a relaxed environment free from judgement, with no dress code and suitable for beginners to experienced golfers.

They said they are happy with the response so far in the first week. They’ve had a good mix of old customers coming back and new ones trying the course for the first time, Margo Erickson said.

Being only a nine-hole course can have its advantages, Margo Erickson said.

“Some people just want to come in the early morning or afternoon and just play nine — two hours and they are out, they can go about their day,” Margo Erickson said.

Fees are $16 for nine holes and $30 to play the course twice for 18 holes. Both gas and hand carts are available to rent, along with clubs and new and used balls. For now, it is a cash-only operation.

In addition to Margo and Dean Erickson, the course employs up to five people, including some volunteers who help cut the grass. They are still looking for some experienced help.

The Spread Eagle Golf Course is open from 8 a.m. to dusk daily at 2204 U.S. 2 east of Florence. No tee times are required, but golfers can call ahead at 715-696-3696 to see if the course is busy.