With hundreds of pro golfers now hitting the links, most golf courses in the state would be scrambling to bring their facility up to par.  Not Eagle Eye Golf Club.  “Our course is tournament-ready,” says Alex Coss, general manager of the East Lansing club. “It’s in tournament condition every single day.”

Some 200 golfers are set to play in the Michigan Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Championship tournament at Eagle Eye from August 23-25. While the course has a reputation for excellence, Coss says the staff won’t rest on their laurels. “It’s our biggest event and our chance to shine.” Groundskeepers will put in more time during the three-day tournament than any other time of the year. “We will play host to some of the best players and it takes extra time and care to make sure the course rises to the challenge.”

The link-style course is considered the most difficult the Lansing area has to offer and that is not by accident. “The architect used his personal experience from trips to courses in Scotland and Ireland in creating the design,” Coss says.  That design, which took two years to complete and opened to the public in 2004, includes a European-inspired island green. 

The holes are also more isolated than what other courses offer. “You can only see the fairway or the green you’re playing,” says Coss. “There are no distractions and no excuses.” While even professional golfers can find Eagle Eye’s unique design a challenge, Coss says the course is not just for the best of the best. “There are plenty of golfers who just want the experience of seeing what it would be like to play like a pro.”

Eagle Eye is just the latest development in what has been a successful business venture. Hawk Hollow Golf Club, which opened in 1997, is located a short distance away from Eagle Eye. It’s a more traditional 18-hole course but still considered one of the best the area has to offer. It became a popular recreation spot so quickly it forced owners to soon think of expansion. “We were growing so rapidly it was hard to keep up with demand,” remembers Coss.

The popularity of Hawk Hollow prompted owners to build yet another course—trying to outdo their competitors yet again. Eagle Eye became more successful than even they anticipated. “The business has grown so rapidly in the last six years, it’s been a challenge keeping up with hiring staff to get it all done.”

In addition to the two larger golf clubs, there is also an executive-style, nine-hole course nearby that’s perfect for golfers of every skill level. “The Falcon is a great course for beginners and seniors or for those simply looking to squeeze in a quick nine.”

There are currently 240 employees to staff the courses and banquet facilities, but Coss admits they could use more help. “Luckily the Michigan PGA attracts some 80 volunteers from the community, otherwise it would be difficult to get it all covered.”

The Michigan PGA, with more than 800 members, has its home office located at the first tee at Eagle Eye. Coss says the selection of his East Lansing facility for the tournament has been a big boost for the golf club. “The fact that they [Michigan PGA organizers] have chosen our facility as their home site gives credibility to what a quality operation we are,” boasts Coss. “Having them as a partner on our property has given Eagle Eye statewide exposure.”

With the ending of the Buick Open at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc and with Eagle Eye’s close association with the Michigan PGA, come questions as to whether the course could someday fill a void in one of the professional tour circuits. Coss says it’s unlikely, at least for now. “Eagle Eye is a good enough golf course to host a professional tournament. However, with the economics of scale in the professional golf world, it’s not really an option at this time.”

Coss is hopeful, though, things could change in the future. “We’re hoping somewhere down the road we’ll be the host site of a top-notch tourney, whether it be the PGA, LPGA or even Senior PGA.” Plans are already in the works for expansion in the area of lodging to include possible condos or villas. “We need to complete the experience. We have golf and banquet facilities and now we need to be able to house a large number of guests.”

Even without high profile tournaments, Eagle Eye and Hawk Hollow host more than a hundred events each year, including everything from corporate outings to fundraisers for nonprofit organizations. The courses are for the serious golfers—with some of the highest green fees in the mid-Michigan area. But, Coss says, they’re worth every penny. “Every hole at Eagle Eye has something unique about it, so for the experience you get and the service you receive, it’s a good value even at the highest price.”

While the economy has taken its toll on corporate business, weddings and banquets have been going strong. He attributes that to the level of service and the quality of the food and beverages. Coss chooses to remain an optimist when it comes to economic challenges.

“We don’t look at it as a problem. It simply creates a different way to have to do business, that’s all.”

Coss, who’s been with the organization since Hawk Hollow’s opening, says he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. He started mowing lawns when he was just 13 years old. From there he moved to Michigan State University as a member of the grounds crew and went on to become food and beverage manager at Timber Ridge Golf Course before moving on to the Eldorado Golf Course as a club manager. Coss says his rise to the top spot didn’t come without some lessons. “Every move I made increased my responsibilities, but my training and maturity increased right along with them, allowing me to grow.”

Despite his daily duties, Coss says he’s able to get out and play a couple rounds a week. He often hits the links with his 15-year-old son. “Some days are really good and some days are not,” he jokes. “But my son has some real potential and I think will be playing the game of golf for a long time.”