Eagle/Bear at Eagle Bend Golf Club

Eagle Bend Golf Club sits along the Swan River in the Flathead Valley near Bigfork, Montana, with views of the surrounding mountain ranges that define this northwest corner of the state. The facility features 27 holes designed in two phases: the original 18 holes by William Hull opened in the early 1990s, followed by a nine-hole addition designed by Jack Nicklaus that allowed the club to create multiple 18-hole combinations. The Eagle and Bear nines form one of these rotations.

The course occupies relatively level terrain along the river corridor, with water hazards and wetlands coming into play on several holes. The routing takes advantage of the valley setting, incorporating mature stands of pines and cottonwoods that frame fairways and define playing corridors. The design emphasizes strategic bunkering and water placement rather than dramatic elevation change, asking players to navigate hazards and manage angles into greens.

Eagle Bend serves as a public facility and has hosted regional amateur competitions over the years, drawing players to the Flathead Valley's resort and recreational landscape. The combination of Hull's original design work and Nicklaus's later contribution creates variety across the 27-hole property, with the different nine-hole loops offering distinct character and challenge levels. The course operates within Montana's short but intense golf season, when the valley's mountain backdrop and long summer daylight make it a destination for visitors exploring Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake.