Future discussed at recent BCC meeting
The 192-acre Eagle Springs Golf Course in Defuniak Springs is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, having opened in 1924. The facility opened as a 9-hole course and the greens were sanded, which was common in the early days of golf. The golf course remained a 9-hole layout until the late 1960s when land was cleared for an additional 9 holes. The 18-hole course was completed in 1996.
Today, the former DeFuniak Springs Country Club includes an 18-hole, par-72 course featuring five sets of tees playing from 4,100 to 6,600 yards. Carved from gently rolling hills and pine forests, the course includes five spring-fed lakes, 23 sand-traps and natural hazards, including towering trees, sandy scrub brush, hardpan and a variety of flowering shrubs.
Tree-lined, tight fairways lead to small Bermuda grass greens that are not only elevated, but pitched and undulating enough to make the very best of putters a bit nervous. Eagle Springs is also quite affordable, boasting some of the lowest green fees in the area! Truly a hidden gem of a course with beautiful views from every vantage point.
In 2019, Walton County purchased the course and surrounding property. The 190-acre site included an 18-hole golf course, public swimming pool and clubhouse at a cost to the county of only $50,000. Future expansion plans include fishing docks, walking trails, basketball courts, tennis courts and more. “We’re trying to make it a recreational facility where people can come out and enjoy the family, be outdoors; it’s safe and not expensive,” said Parks and Recreation director Shane Supple. The county has already begun making improvements to the course and plans on renovating the golf club in the coming years.
Supple is the former Park and Rec director for the city of Freeport. Having grown up in Defuniak Springs, Shane was instrumental in the acquisition of the property and the reopening of Eagle Springs Golf Course in 2019.
Although the cost to acquire the property was only $50,000, the renovation has not been without controversy. Some South Walton residents and commissioners would like to see it closed as it’s still losing money. But at a recent BCC meeting held May 14th, the consensus seemed to be that the gap between revenue and expenses was narrowing and the value to the community far outweighed the cost. BCC commissioner Donna Johns believes “it’s wonderful the county owns the property and people I’ve heard from ‘love it’.”
Commissioner Danny Glidewell noted the operating cost per acre was less than other parks in Walton County and was the only park generating substantial revenue. Commissioner William “Boots” McCormick” for his part would like to see a marketing program that includes a full-fledged recreational and parks facility program that just happens to have an 18 hole golf course and includes: pickleball courts, basketball courts, olympic-sized pool and senior center.
The Eagle Restaurant is a wonderful addition with reasonably priced food. Breakfast is served from 8:30-10:30 and lunch is served from 11 a.m. -close, Wednesday to Monday.
While celebrating its 100th anniversary, it seems Eagle Springs Park and Recreational Facility and Golf Course has a bright future!
Find Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center at 171 Country Club Ln., Defuniak Springs, FL 32435. Reach them by phone at (850) 892-3812 or visit their website, www.eaglespringsgolf.com.
