The Totem Pole at Eagle Point Golf Club

“This Totem Pole reminds us constantly of our responsibility as caretakers managing the golf course environment entrusted to us at The Resort at Eagle Point Golf Club.”  William Rowland Chief Development Officer, EPGC.

The Resort at Eagle Point Golf Club is proud to share with all our guests a specialized work of art we received as a gift in 1996.  Basking in the sunlight between holes two and three, the Eagle Point Totem Pole is a cherished remembrance of the Native Americans whose significant contributions to Southern Oregon are boundless.  Honoring the indigenous populations of our region with this sculpture is just one way we seek to carry forward the respect our original inhabitants had and continue to have for the nature and wildlife of our area.

The Eagle Point Totem Pole was carved by George Gulli, Sr., and his son, George Gulli, Jr.–owners of Gulli & Son Totem Poles in Victor, Montana.  The Gulli carving tradition had its early beginnings in the stone quarries of Italy, where George Gulli, Sr.’s father, was a stone carver.  George Gulli, Sr., began carving wood while living in California and later moved to Montana.  That’s where George Gulli, Jr., and his family reunited with his father, and he, too, learned the art of carving totem poles from his father.  Soon, the business of Gulli & Son Totem Poles was born.  In 2000, George Gulli, Sr., passed away, yet George Jr. continues the tradition of carving.

Totem poles are a significant part of the storytelling tradition for Native Americans.  These carved wooden poles feature an arrangement of symbols created to convey a legend or share an event in history or culture by the indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest Native American tribes.

However, the authentic artwork of the totem poles carved by Gulli & Son Totem Poles is not a story of Indian cultures or tribal relics. Instead, their custom specialized art pieces convey an account of their owners, their values, and the property where they are located while at the same time adhering to the traditional carving style of the Pacific Northwest Coast Native American tribes. To be authentic, a totem pole needs to be “sanctioned”.  That means that it must pass certain rigid tests.  The pole must be made by a trained Northwest Pacific Coast native person or a non-Native approved by a Northwest Pacific Cost Indian Chief.  The Gulli  Totem Pole art was sanctioned by Chief Mace of the Northwest Coast Indians in the mid 1990’s. These Indians inhabited a belt of Pacific Ocean coastal land and off-shore island from Southern Alaska to Northern California.  They included the TLINGIT, TSIMSHIAN, HAIDA, KWAKIUTL, and BELLA COOLA Indigenous tribes.  George Gulli visited and authenticated our Totem Pole at Eagle Point Golf Club in 2022.  He acknowledged the work as that of he and his father George Gulli, Sr.

The story of our totem pole began when Dennis Washington installed one of his own during the construction of his nine-hole golf course in British Columbia.  Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the course, and Washington found him admiring the beauty of the totem pole.  In gratitude of Jones’s assistance, Washington gifted a second totem pole to the next course Jones designed, our very own Eagle Point Golf Club.  Washington selected several animals natively found on our property to be featured on the pole:

The Eagle

In Native American culture, the eagle rules the sky and can transform himself into a human. The eagle is an intelligent and resourceful bird of prey frequently seen hunting salmon in nearby rivers and streams.  The eagle also led to the naming of the Talon Grill restaurant at the Resort. 

The Wolf

Native Americans believe the wolf is a potent totem that helps people who are sick or in need. They are elusive creatures in our region now, but a few lucky visitors may find them wandering the hills surrounding our Rogue River valley.

The Raven

In Native American stories, the raven is a mercurial trickster with a curious and mischievous personality.  They are often misbehaving, but certainly never boring.  Guests are sure to see ravens throughout our property and the Rogue Valley.

The Beaver

With complete focus on their work, the beaver is known for its ingenuity and steadfast persistence. Teams of beavers work together to make work easier and faster.  Beavers also signify close family relationships filled with support and encouragement.  We are fortunate to have many beavers still hard at work in the streams on our property.

The Salmon

With annual rituals of swimming hundreds of miles to breed and spawn the next generation, the salmon symbolizes instinct, persistence, and pure determination. Two of our streams on the course feed into the salmon spawning area of the Rogue River.

Artist George Gulli selected a 40-foot larch log to create our totem pole.  This wood was chosen for its straightness and clarity.  Lumps and bumps are smoothed out and then center-lined to apply the artwork design. After being hand-carved and painted, the entire totem pole was sealed to protect it against the elements.  The totem was completed while our golf course was still under construction and airlifted to its present position by helicopter.

We invite you to share in this Native American tradition and visit the Eagle Point Totem Pole at the Resort at Eagle Point during your next trip to Southern Oregon.  The Eagle Point Golf Club is located just a few minutes off I-5.  Featuring natural terrains and six sets of tees corresponding to distances from 5,091 to 7,099 yards, this all-star course is perfect for every golfer, from rookies to the most seasoned pros.  While you’re here, why not stay and dine with us in the Talon Grill or relax with us in our cozy, boutique-style rooms at The Chalets at the Resort.  We would love to share the traditions and beauty of our Southern Oregon valley with you.