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Eagle Point due for some change By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Things are changing -- for the better -- at Eagle Point Golf Course. Recently, the superbly conditioned 18-hole public course has been swamped with alterations. Eagle Point needs a new head golf professional, a new assistant pro and a new golf director. It is also about to get a new majority owner. Eagle Point Development Co., owned by Chris Galpin, will unite with the golf course. Galpin, whose company has directed the construction of more than 100 homes on the course, will become the sole director of development around the course and majority owner of the course. Original owner and course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. will maintain a stake in the venture. Galpin and Jones are in final negotiations to restructure their partnership. In the deal, Galpin is buying out part of Jones' investment to become majority owner of the course. "One thing that I want to clear up is, the course is not for sale," says Galpin. "Trent Jones and I are continuing our partnership. The difference is I become the major owner. But Mr. Jones still wants to be an owner in the golf course. I want that, too, because he built this course and he knows what's best in that area." The continuing presence of Jones as an owner guarantees that Eagle Point will remain challenging, well-maintained and one of the better tests of golf in Oregon and the Northwest. Jones is truly an artist when it comes to constructing and maintaining golf courses. And the uniting of Galpin's company with the course means that all changes for the good of the golf course will also benefit the housing development. "My big thing is making sure the course keeps getting better and better," says Galpin. "We will have the elements in place to make this an even better golf course and bring in some big tournaments." Eagle Point is in desperate need of more golfers and more play. The course is apparently losing money every month, as much as $30,000 some months, although Galpin won't confirm that. "I don't want to talk numbers, but yes, our rounds are not what we hoped for so far," says Galpin. "We have some good programs ready for golfers to improve that. And even our residents around the course are going to be getting some special privileges in using the course and the facility." When Galpin's new deal with Trent Jones is complete, facility needs will be addressed. A new clubhouse, which has been in the works since the course opened two years ago, will be started in May, if the aforementioned negotiations are completed as scheduled. The foundation for the clubhouse is already in place. That clubhouse will have two stories, and feature a restaurant, pro shop, cart storage and offices for administrators. As mentioned, the course needs a head and assistant pros and a golf director. Former head pro Brian Sackett has taken a job as the head pro at Roseburg Country Club, and former assistant Starla Riddle is now an assistant at Mount Shasta Golf Resort. When a golf director is hired, that person will supervise and organize the pro shop, do promotional work with golfers and outside tournament groups and oversee course operation. "It's time we promote this course and maximize the great facility we have," says Galpin. "We want people to get to know what a great course we have here." YET ANOTHER AREA golf pro is moving on. In addition to Sackett, it was reported earlier that Mike Byrd of Quail Point in Medford is taking the head position at Shieldcrest in Klamath Falls, beginning April 1. Jim Staal is also exiting. The head pro at StoneRidge in White City has already taken a job as head pro at Visalia Golf Course in Visalia, Calif. StoneRidge owner Jim Cochrane says he's looking for a combination of course manager and head professional. "Jim was a very popular professional here," says Cochrane. "The golfers really liked him and got along with him. It will be tough to replace him, but there are some good people out there." WITH THE START of our increased golf coverage every Saturday, we'll be on the lookout for interesting local stories as they relate to golf. If you story ideas, please drop me a note at the Mail Tribune (111 N. Fir St., Medford, 97501), or call the number below. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.