The Oaks at Eagle Creek

Willmar Golf Club was founded in 1931 by a local millionaire DN Tallman whose farm property was used to build Willmar’s first 9-hole Golf Course. That same year the course hosted the first Lakeland Golf Tournament, which recently celebrated its 86th anniversary. In 1962 the course became an 18 hole course with the addition of 9 holes.

 

The Willmar Golf Club managed both the restaurant and country club until leasing the food and beverage business privately in 1989 to Mike and Mar Dols at which time it was renamed The Blue Heron on the Green. Mike and Mar expanded the building to have an Event Center as well as reconstructing an outdoor deck into a large bar/lounge area, rechristening it The 52 Club. In 1996 the Willmar Golf Course changed its name to Eagle Creek Country Club.

 

In 2008 Dave and Mary Baker took over the lease and renamed the restaurant “The Oaks at Eagle Creek” and in 2010 added a large outdoor deck overlooking the back 9 holes. In 2014, the entire restaurant underwent a modernized renovation.

 

Today, with both the restaurant and the beverage cart on the course, the Oaks retains nearly 60 employees. The Oaks' menu is updated biannually through the collaboration of the owners and management to include locally grown produce, wines, craft beers and products from Willmar’s very own JENNIE-O® Turkey Store and other local businesses.