The Valley of the Eagles golf course may be one of Haines' least likely landmarks. Built on former wetlands near 1 Mile Haines Highway, it required years of permitting, constant labor and has never worked particularly well as a business.
Its founder, longtime Haines doctor Stan Jones, did not ply golf when he began imagining fairways on land that was still partially underwater. He pushed ahead and eventually opened the course in 2006 after years of design work, construction and experiments with grass that could survive tidal flooding.
The course later sold to Clayton Jones (no relation to Stan), another owner who does not golf. He has maintained, keeping it free for locals.
Will Steinfeld traces the course's history, from post-glacial rebound and cruise tourism ambitions, to the two determined men who kept it alive.

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