Giants Ridge sits about three hours from the Twin Cities and has quietly built a case as the best golf destination in Minnesota. Both courses were designed by Jeffrey Brauer, but they play nothing alike.

The Quarry is the headliner. Built on a former sand quarry and iron ore mine, the course uses dramatically elevated tees and hazards carved from reclaimed mine land to create something you won't find anywhere else in the state. The views of the Iron Range alone are worth the drive. Golfweek's 2026 rankings put The Quarry at No. 35 among the top 200 resort courses in the country, which is serious company.

The Legend opened in 1997 and gets credit for putting Iron Range golf on the map in the first place. The layout winds through towering pines inside the Superior National Forest and along the shore of Sabin Lake. Golfweek ranked it among the top 125 resort courses in the U.S. as well.

Starting May 29 through August 23, Giants Ridge brings back its 36-Hole Golf Special: both courses, cart, range balls, and lunch between rounds for $210 on weekdays and $230 on weekends. That is a reasonable price of admission for a day you will talk about for a while.

When you are not on the course, the Iron Range delivers. Crystal-clear lakes, rivers, hiking and biking trails, and chairlift rides with views that make the whole trip feel bigger than just golf. On-site dining includes Burnt Onion Kitchen and Brews, Bunkers at The Legend, and the Wacootah Grill.

For tee times and lodging, visit giantsridge.com or call 218-865-8000.

The two-story, 25,000-square-foot facility will include a 160,000-square-foot driving range with award-winning technology, 40 heated golf suites, two bars and a full-service restaurant. The facility will be able to serve more than 500 people. Construction will begin as early as this spring; the facility is anticipated to open in mid-2025.

“We are excited to welcome LaunchPad Golf to the U.S. and expand our tribe’s golf offerings,” said SMSC Chairman Cole Miller. “This year-round golf entertainment enterprise will provide an incredible experience for guests of all skill levels. It will be an excellent complement to our premium golf course, The Meadows at Mystic Lake.”

Known for its next-level technology in golf entertainment, LaunchPad Golf is a Canadian company that features award-winning Inrange radar technology for superior ball tracking to create an immersive golfing experience. In addition to golf practice and virtual courses, LaunchPad Golf offers exclusive social games, including bay-versus-bay gaming. Regardless of skill level, LaunchPad Golf creates a fun experience for golfers and non-golfers alike.

The Prior Lake venue marks LaunchPad Golf’s first foray into the United States after establishing two locations in Canada. Like its partnership with the SMSC and The Meadows at Mystic Lake, LaunchPad Golf’s current locations have successfully complemented other award-winning golf courses including Mickelson National Golf Club and Heritage Point with elevated, year-round golf experiences.

“LaunchPad Golf is not your average driving range. We offer the most innovative technology to elevate your golf experience, plus a lively atmosphere and delicious food and drinks,” said LaunchPad Golf Owner and CEO Barry Ehlert. “We look forward to partnering with the SMSC and bringing the LaunchPad Golf experience to Minnesota and the U.S. market.”

By 1997, he'd acquired enough land to solicit bids on a championship golf course from two of the biggest names in golf course design at the time: Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and Rees Jones. The two famously combative brothers were set for a showdown on Gull Lake when Rees pulled out and RTJ, Jr., traveled all the way from Siberia to survey the property.

In 1998, Cragun's Legacy Course opened. In 2000, Jones added a third nine. In 2020, Dutch wanted to expand further - the resort comprises over 1,000 acres today, after all. He asked three course architects to submit plans. Former (British) Open Champion and Minnesota native Tom Lehman came to town to watch his son compete in the Minnesota State Amateur. The then-86-year-old Dutch approached the fellow University of Minnesota grad and asked if his firm might be interested in submitting a plan. Within two months, Lehman's firm had a plan, and after two days of talking, Lehman was "all in" - not just for the new course, but also for a radical redesign of the original 27 holes.

In 2023, The Lehman 18 and The Dutch 18-the Dutch White and Dutch Blue Nines-were put fully into play. Just this year (2025), a radical facelift of the final 9, The Dutch Red, was completed-and just like that, the "Dutch 18" is the "Dutch 27." Equally as newsworthy, Dutch Cragun sold Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake in April to the local consortium Leisure Hotels & Resorts. With an influx of new capital, and an energetic, visionary quartet of new owners, the classic family and golf resort is positioned to reign over the Brainerd Lakes area.

The Dutch Blue, Red, and White

Unlike the orbital Lehman 18, all three nines on the Dutch 27 are walkable. The Red-White combination is scheduled to host the CRMC Championship, a prestigious PGA Tour Americas event, for the next three years. According to Eric Martin, Head Golf Professional at Cragun's, "We're working to host a Korn Ferry Tour event, eventually."

All possible combinations of nines play just over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, and for the CRMC, they can be stretched out a bit more. The hope is that one tee box for the tournament will actually play from the patio of the clubhouse. "We're waiting on final Tour approval of that," says Martin. "It'll be so cool if it goes through." The 2025 CRMC Championship (August 24-31) will be played over the Red-White combination (par 71), putting the just-opened Red Nine to the test. "We're excited to see how the pros play it," says Martin. "There are some great risk-reward holes out here."

It's rare for a golf resort - and at Cragun's, the golf is front and center, even though the fishing and watersports are outstanding, along with a host of family recreation options - to have 45 holes that are essentially by one designer but with such different feels. Whereas the Lehman 18 has revetted bunkers, the Dutch 27 has sprawling, natural-looking bunkers with thick fescue "eyelashes." As the starter warns at the first tee, players should keep their eye on all balls heading toward bunkers, as they can disappear in the blink of a human eyelash; you'd rather your ball gets into the pristine white Ohio sand. And if you do find your ball in those eyelashes, your best bet is to just wedge it out. Trust me.

The large-scale renovation of all 27 holes, though, was geared towards, "making the course more playable," according to Lehman. "We focused on creating width," he stressed, "There were a lot of places where a mishit would make the next shot unplayable." Increasing playability required removing a large number of trees, as well as removing bunkers from areas 180 yards out and to the right of the tees. "Who were those bunkers meant to punish?" asked Lehman. "Average players. Golf is hard enough without punishing the people you want to enjoy the course the most."

The Dutch Red (par 36) is "much more playable" than the Dutch White or Blue, according to Martin, with whom I played a recent round on the Blue-Red combo. Because I'm a contrarian at heart, I score several strokes better on the Blue than on the Red, however. Whereas the Blue course plays around Stephen's Lake, as does the Lehman 18, the Red-White combo offers players who can only play 18 holes the best chance at scoring. Martin reports how multiple Cragun's members who have been somewhat brow-beaten by the Lehman 18 come in the next day to report shooting their "best score ever" on the Red-White combo. So it will indeed be interesting to see how low the pros can go.

After getting off to a gentle start, the Dutch Red Nine presents players with a drivable par 4 at the 4^th Hole, with deep, ravenous bunkers well short of the green. Any mis-hit off the tee will likely leave you with a 60-yard bunker shot to an elevated green.

The 620-yard par-5 8^th Hole will be a real test for the pros. Not only is it long, but the green complex is devilish - small and elevated, with a rocky waterfall hazard to the right. Anyone who goes for this green in two shots had better have exquisite control over their fairway woods or hybrids. I know it can be done - I watched Head Pro Martin do it (from the blue tees, not the tips-still impressive!) - but playing for PGA Tour Americas money...we'll see.

Perhaps the most memorable hole on the Dutch Red is the teeny, tiny 118-yard 9^th, with its 40-foot elevation drop from tee to green, its crescent-shaped teeing ground that alters the angle of play radically from day to day, and its tiered green that falls away behind into a pond. Personally, if I were on a golf trip, I'd schedule my rounds to end on this hole, where the group can finish with an epic closest-to-the-pin competition for all the money and bragging rights.

The pros, however, will close on the Dutch White, which crescendos with a lovely, reachable par-5 with a green partially fronted by a serene pond and framed by the ruggedly handsome Legends clubhouse.

All rates on the Dutch 27 and Lehman 18, which can run as low as $60 to as high as nearly $200 depending on time and various discount deals, include GPS-equipped cart and range balls. There are always beverage carts circulating, and the patio at the Legends clubhouse bar and grill is the perfect place to enjoy a house cocktail and lunch or dinner as you watch players come in.

Cragun's Resort

In Legends, the wraps or the wings are excellent choices for a post-round snack. If you hanker for something more upscale, head over to the main resort buildings to Irma's Kitchen, where Northwoods ingredients meet gourmet preparation. The seared duck breast was spectacular, and the view from the outdoor deck over the lake serene.

Behind the main lodge is a large marina, with pontoons and other flavors of floating fun available for rentals. The fishing on Gull Lake is, according to local sources, the best in the area, with its almost labyrinthine collection of bays and inlets. Book the dinner cruise for both the delectable prime rib and a luxurious tour of the lake.

For some family-friendly golf fun, the Nice9 course is a 9-hole par-3 course that is reversible, playing clockwise one week and counter-clockwise the next. It's actually a very nice challenge for all skill levels, with a few holes that are definitely not pushovers, and "some of the best greens on the property," according to Head Pro Martin. Pro tip: If you purchase the Rec Pass during your stay, it includes unlimited walking and play on the Nice9 - I mean, drop the kids off in the morning and pick them up at dusk!

Golfers and families alike are recommended to consider renting one of the several entirely renovated houses on property. These have multiple bedrooms and baths, generous kitchens and common areas, and former garages renovated into poker and poll rooms. I can imagine a boys' trip with golf, fishing, pool, and poker on the docket during a winner-take-all battle royale long weekend. The new ownership team will be focusing their efforts on updating the lodge and cabins on the property as well. As Martin points out, "The golf courses are in fantastic shape now, aside from some cosmetics like signage. So the first priority is updating the accommodations."

In short, Cragun's Resort offers a veritable cornucopia of Northwoods activities year-round (ice-fishing and cross-country skiing, anyone?). For those really looking to exploit the area's under-rated and oft-overlooked northern Minnesota golf courses, The Gravel Pit short course is across the street, and Madden's at Gull Lake's The Classic are highly recommended, along with several other area gems. Cragun's alone does between 50,000 - 60,000 rounds per season, so demand in the entire area for quality golf is enormous.

Residents of and visitors to the Brainerd lakes region can be awfully glad Dutch Cragun didn't listen to his father when he came north to take over the family resort. Tom Lehman calls Dutch "a Minnesota treasure," and what he's built at his namesake resort is priceless. Fortunately for us, and for the world of golf, he's shared his bounty with the rest of us, and under new ownership, his legend and legacy will thrive for decades to come.

Since 2003, The Classic has consistently been ranked among America's top public golf courses, a testament to its timeless design and exceptional playing experience. In addition to its national recognition, The Classic has also been named #10 in Golf Digest's ranking of the Best Golf Courses in Minnesota.

"We are incredibly honored to see The Classic continue to be recognized at both the state and national levels," said Ben Thuringer, Chief Operating Officer and one of the family owners of Madden's on Gull Lake. "This achievement speaks to the unwavering dedication of our team, the quality of our course, and the Classic golf experience we offer every golfer."

Designed by then-course architect Scott Hoffmann and opened in 1997, The Classic at Madden's has earned its reputation through meticulous course conditions, stunning natural beauty, and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled golf experience in the heart of Minnesota. The Classic is one of only a few public courses in Minnesota that offers Caddie services.

This July 21-23, The Classic at Madden's will host the 2025 MGA State Amateur Championship, the first Brainerd Lakes Area course to host the tournament. Course renovations, including tee box reconstruction and new Ohio's Best white bunker sand are underway to prepare for the tournament and to enhance the experience for all golfers.

For more information about The Classic at Madden's and to book a tee time, please visit www.maddens.com/golf/the-classic.

Madden's on Gull Lake Brainerd, MN Maddens.com For press inquiries, please contact: cking@maddens.com

Give our readers an overview of the golf resort. The Meadows at Mystic Lake is a premier, award-winning, public golf course that offers a unique, challenging, and scenic golf experience. A full-service golfing destination, The Meadows is enhanced by nearby food and entertainment venues including The Meadows Bar and Grille and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. Book your tee time, shop our golf shop, and improve your game year-round, all at The Meadows at Mystic Lake.

Share with us your room accommodations configurations. What group sizes can accommodate? All group sizes can be accommodated at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel with King and Two Queen rooms, Suites, and ADA accessible rooms.

What type of restaurants do you have on property and what type of dining experience can one expect? Enjoy drinks, bar bites, burgers, fresh salads, and more after your round at Meadows Bar and Grille.

Fresh from the farm or straight from the sea, enjoy the finest prime beef and seafood offered in a welcoming setting at Mystic Steakhouse.

From hearty home-style breakfasts to comforting entrees, this classic all-American restaurant has it all. Feast on favorites like the hot turkey sandwich, buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, or build your own omelette at Minnehaha Cafe.

Sweet Temptations serves ice cream along with a full menu featuring house-made cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats!

Beyond golf what are the top three amenities golfers and non-golfers can enjoy on property? Follow the lights to the only place that brings nonstop gaming action, dining, drinks and entertainment together as part of the complete resort experience-Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

Let's go see the stars shine. Mystic Showroom raises the curtain on fun with superstar country and pop performers, headlining comedians and big production Broadway musicals. The Mystic Showroom also boasts state-of-the-art acoustics, incredible sight lines and extra-wide seats with plenty of legroom. Which means more room for you and your friends to sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Take a moment for yourself with a service from The Spa at Mystic Lake.

Please supply a sample itinerary for a long buddies weekend? - Golf The Meadows at Mystic Lake - Enjoy superior cuts of prime aged heritage beef, savory seafood, and fine wines at Mystic Steakhouse - Relax and rejuvenate with a calming spa service from The Spa at Mystic Lake - Catch a show at the Mystic Showroom or get in on the gaming action at one of the largest casino floors east of Vegas

Please supply a sample itinerary for a long couples weekend? - Golf The Meadows at Mystic Lake - Dinner and drinks at The Meadows Bar and Grille - Catch a show at the Mystic Showroom or get in on the gaming action at one of the largest casino floors east of Vegas - Enjoy superior cuts of prime aged heritage beef, savory seafood and fine wines at Mystic Steakhouse

What area tourist attractions might you recommend while in the area? - 'Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake' exhibit and gift shop at Hocokata Ti, cultural center - Little Six Casino - Renaissance Festival - Valleyfair - Cleary Lake Regional Park - Mall of America - Minnesota Zoo

Any recent or upcoming changes to the property/resort or golf course? Construction of LaunchPad Golf's first US location is currently under construction on Mystic Lake Casino Hotel property set to open in 2025!

How can golfers inquire about golf packages for your resort? Call The Meadows Golf Shop at 952.233.5533 or visit mysticlake.com/deals-and-offers.

Courses at Resort Number of Course: 1 Number of Holes: 18

More Information The Meadows at Mystic Lake 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd Prior Lake, Minnesota, 55372 763-353-0024

www.golfthemeadows.com

"This remarkable achievement, based on real reviews from our valued guests, reflects our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional hospitality experience that stands the test of time. Despite the introduction of two new contenders, Madden's continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with hospitality icons like The Grand Hotel. We are also immensely proud to represent the beauty and hospitality of Minnesota as the only property from the state on this prestigious list"

-Abbey Pieper Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, 3rd Generation Owner/Operator

More than 520,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting. The Readers' Choice Awards, with their unparalleled legacy as the travel industry's longest-running and most prestigious accolades, remain the ultimate symbol and acknowledgment of excellence within the travel sector.

The course takes its name from its creator, the esteemed Tour professional and Minnesota native, Tom Lehman. Spanning an impressive 7,401 yards from the back tees, the layout has been open for play since the previous autumn. The official inauguration, however, occurred just this week. As the course winds its way through a vast expanse of 1,000 acres, encompassing wetlands and woodlands, it undeniably offers an exceptional golfing experience.

The greens are expansive and undulating, showcasing an impressive consistency in their rolling. Many of these greens feature multiple tiers, yet our group found the breaks to be reasonable and devoid of complete unpredictability. While the fairways boast ample width, providing generous landing areas for tee shots, cunning side openings occasionally lead shots astray into the rough.

The landscape offers breathtaking vistas, particularly on the holes that border the expansive Stephens Lake. A distinct trademark of Lehman's design, the bunkers are characterized by their short sidewalls atop the sand. Surprisingly, the terrain is more open than my initial expectations, lending a sensation of seclusion within a natural sanctuary on numerous holes. Unanticipated elevation changes further enhance the Northern Minnesota course experience.

Thanks to the variety of tee box options, I am convinced that this course will deliver both enjoyment and accessibility across a range of skill levels.

"Having grown up 90 minutes from here, it's great to return to be a part of this resort's golf legacy," says Lehman. While it's a brand-new course, several of the holes sit on what were the fairway corridors of a previous course. It was all part of a multi-million dollar renovation.

The counterpart to The Lehman 18, known as The Dutch Course, initially designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. in 1997, welcomed golfers to its recently renovated Blue Nine earlier this summer. This course is the annual host of the PGA TOUR Canada's CRMC Championship presented by Gertens. The Championship layout, comprising the Blue and White Nines, spans a distance of 7,001 yards.

While sharing certain qualities with The Lehman 18, such as impeccable conditioning from tee to green, The Dutch Course possesses its distinct character and array of challenges. Personally, I discovered it to be more formidable in terms of scoring. Whether attributed to my performance or not, The Dutch Course undoubtedly demands precision in shot-making. It is clear that this course requires well-executed shots to navigate successfully.

In the upcoming year, we can anticipate the unveiling of the Red Nine, which is undergoing an extensive revitalization under Lehman's proactive direction. I had the privilege of taking a golf cart tour of this upcoming addition and was truly impressed by its layout and design. I'm already looking forward to a future visit, envisioning a total of 45 remarkable holes on this property.

Lehman shared insights into the magnitude of the endeavor, stating, "We embarked on a comprehensive project that involved the renovation of 31 existing holes and the creation of 14 new ones. This substantial undertaking spanned over three years, a period in which we navigated the weather limitations of Minnesota. However, the site's splendid topography and accommodating sand base made the process remarkably smooth. Our commitment to meticulousness was unwavering, leaving no aspect untouched. I hold the aspiration of positioning this destination among the most distinguished golfing venues in the region." Mission accomplished.

The resort, nestled on the picturesque Gull Lake, boasts a diverse selection of dining options, including the delightful inclusion of pan-seared walleye on their menus. Among my memorable culinary experiences, the pot roast at Irma's Kitchen and the delectable prime rib enjoyed during the resort's dinner boat sunset cruise around Gull Lake stand out. The latter served as the perfect finale to our enriching two-day retreat at the resort. Embracing a wide spectrum of outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups, the resort showcases a mile-long sandy beach, scenic biking and hiking trails, engaging pickleball courts, and invigorating watersports.

While our group found lodgings in golf-centric houses situated on the property, the resort also extends accommodations in the form of main lodge rooms and private cabins that provide captivating vistas of the lake.

By 1997, he'd acquired enough land to solicit bids on a championship golf course from two of the biggest names in golf course design at the time: Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and Rees Jones. The two famously combative brothers were set for a showdown on Gull Lake when Rees pulled out and RTJ, Jr., traveled all the way from Siberia to survey the property.

In 1998, Cragun's Legacy Course opened. In 2000, Jones had expanded the Legacy Courses to 36 holes. In 2020, Dutch wanted to expand further - the resort comprises over 1,000 acres today, after all. He asked three course architects to submit plans. Former (British) Open Champion and Minnesota native Tom Lehman came to town to watch his son compete in the Minnesota State Amateur. The then-86-year-old Dutch approached the fellow University of Minnesota grad and asked if his firm might be interested in submitting a plan. Within two months, Lehman's firm had a plan, and after two days of talking, Lehman was "all in" - not just for the new course, but also for a radical redesign of the original holes.

Now, in 2023, The Lehman 18 and The Dutch 18 are fully in play, with the radical facelift of the final 9 now underway. Thus, Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake is poised to wrestle the golf crown from the adjacent Madden's on Gull Lake - whose owner graduated college with Dutch and which vacillates between a Hatfield-and-McCoy and cozy "frienemies" sort of relationship with Cragun's.

"The Everything Bagel"

The Lehman 18 is an amalgam of brand-new holes and redesigned holes from the original 36 holes, and it encircles the land those holes occupied. During construction, Cragun's GM, Eric Peterson, dubbed it "The Everything Bagel," and the moniker stuck like a good bagel sticks to your ribs. In the opening-day media interview, Lehman said the development and building of his eponymous course was "a really fun process of discovery," and "a completely collaborative effort."

One of the hallmarks of the design are the pseudo-stacked-sod bunkers, the sharp, steep lips and revetted faces of which strike fear into the hearts of weekend warrior players. Lehman said he wanted to evoke the sandbelt courses of Australia on the glacial deposits of northern Minnesota, so the bunkers filled with white (Ohio) sand and the firm, fast fairways and greens are central to the homage.

Although the routing of the course makes for some long distances between greens and tees (and reduces walkability), the flow of the routing is smooth and logical. There are three par-5s on the par-37 front nine, and just one on the par-35 back nine. Like the Dutch 18, the main defense is those par 5s, which heave and twist as they skirt the edges of wetlands and woods.

From the championship tees, the Lehman stretches to 7,491 yards, but can be played as short as 4,707 yards, with six sets of tee boxes. Green fees as of opening are $159. At just under $9 a hole, it's well worth the price.

For a resort course, the Lehman 18 presents a number of daunting tee shots to blind landing areas that are, at times, penally crowned. Late in the front nine, players are faced with a number of these, and without careful study of the GPS display on the cart, they will likely take lines that result in apparently good drives running off into the underbrush. Or, as in my case, they'll miss their lines and just hit directly into the woods.

Fortunately, moments of beauty and pleasure outnumber lost balls. Take the par-3 6th Hole, for example. Tom Lehman says this is his favorite hole, as tree-removal behind the green revealed a picturesque pond complete with a large beaver lodge.

Lehman tagged the 2nd Hole as another favorite. It combines the old 2nd and 3rd holes to make a demanding par 5 with a devilish 2nd shot into a bottleneck landing area with marsh both left and right.

Prior to the 2nd, the first-time golfer's hopes will be raised by the gentle, mid-length par-4 opening hole, only to find those hopes buffeted - if not dashed - by the 2nd and the long par-3 3rd, where a raised green perches over wetlands to the right. From the tips, the 3rd can stretch out over 220 yards. From any tee, just hitting the green feels like a birdie.

Speaking of greens, the Lehman 18's putting surfaces are fast - running around 9.5 on the Stimp Meter - but very true. Speed, though, is key, as many greens resemble potato chips in their contours. The only exception is the massive and relatively level 17th green, which used to be "The Gambler's Green," where residual bets could be settled on the original 18-hole course.

Dutch 18

Unlike the orbital Lehman, the 7,001-yard, par-70 Dutch 18 is an excellent walking course ($139 green fees currently, with cart). Its proximity to the grand clubhouse and Legends Grille also make it the obvious host for the Canadian PGA Tour CRMC Championship. But like the Lehman, the current 18-hole design - really the combination of the Blue and the White nines - is actually an amalgam of new, old, and radically re-imagined old holes. The remaining Red nine is currently closed for a deep facelift (reopening 2024). It is a testament to the Cragun's team, especially Superintendent Matt McKinnon and his crew, that they have been able to build a new course and renovate another 27 holes while always keeping at least 18 holes open for play.

It's rare for a golf resort - and at Cragun's, the golf is front and center, even though the fishing and watersports are outstanding - to have 45 holes that will be, after the final renovation by Lehman's firm, essentially by one designer but with such different feels. Whereas the Lehman 18 has those revetted bunkers, the Dutch 18 has sprawling, natural-looking bunkers with thick fescue "eyelashes." As the starter warns at the first tee, players should keep their eye on all balls heading toward bunkers, as they can disappear in the blink of a human eyelash; you'd rather your ball gets into the pristine white Ohio sand. And if you do find your ball in those eyelashes, your best bet is to just wedge it out. Trust me.

Logan Jackson, Cragun's Head Professional, calls the Dutch "more gettable" than the Lehman, but warns to "play to where you can see." Like the Lehman, there are several blind shots here, including tee shots over marshland, that demand players pick a number and hit to it...and trust. Also like the Lehman, the par 5s are the major defense, with some awkward tee shots and lay-up areas.

The renovation, though, was geared towards, "making the course more playable," according to Lehman. "We focused on creating width," he stressed, "There were a lot of places where a mishit would make the next shot unplayable." Increasing playability required removing a large number of trees, as well as removing bunkers from areas 180 yards out and to the right of the tees. "Who were those bunkers meant to punish?" asked Lehman. "Average players. Golf is hard enough without punishing the people you want to enjoy the course the most."

The number one handicap hole is the long par-4 1st Hole, with fairway bunkers left and trees to the right making for a demanding drive. But the hardest hole according to Jackson is the even longer par-4 14th, which plays like a par 5 as it doglegs left around wetlands that collect as many golf balls as they do raindrops.

The Dutch 18 crescendos at the lovely 18th, a reachable par-5 - really the only receptive par-5 on either course - with a green partially fronted by a serene pond and framed by the ruggedly handsome Legacy clubhouse.

Cragun's Resort

In the Legacy Grille, the BLT or the wings are excellent choices for a post-round snack. If you hanker for something more upscale, head over to the main resort buildings to Irma's Kitchen, where Northwoods ingredients meet fine European preparation. Seriously, the best piece of walleye this Minnesota native has ever eaten.

Behind the main lodge is a large marina, with pontoons and other flavors of floating fun available for rentals. The fishing on Gull Lake is, according to local sources, the best in the area, with its almost labyrinthine collection of bays and inlets. Book the dinner cruise for both the delectable prime rib and a luxurious tour of the lake.

Golfers and families alike are recommended to consider renting one of the several entirely renovated houses for rent. These have multiple bedrooms and baths, generous kitchens and common areas, and former garages renovated into poker and poll rooms. I can imagine a boys' trip with golf, fishing, pool, and poker on the docket during a winner-take-all battle royale long weekend.

In short, Cragun's Resort offers a veritable cornucopia of Northwoods activities year-round (ice-fishing and cross-country skiing, anyone?). For those really looking to exploit the area's under-rated and oft-overlooked northern Minnesota golf courses, The Gravel Pit short course is across the street, and Madden's at Gull Lake's The Classic are highly recommended, along with several other area gems.

Residents of and visitors to the Brainerd lakes region can be awfully glad Dutch Cragun didn't listen to his father when he came north to take over the family resort. Tom Lehman calls Dutch "a Minnesota treasure," and what he's built at his namesake resort is priceless. Fortunately for us, and for the world of golf, he's strived to share his bounty with the rest of us in legendary fashion.

Initially the rumor was a few holes were renovated with wider landing areas and new bunkers.

"Quite the contrary", Jack Wawro, Director of Golf shared. "The project was a complete over haul of the golf course in some cases renovating existing holes, combining holes and even adding brand new ones. For golfers it will be an all new experience."

Below is hole by hole summary of the renovation and changes.

Lehman Hole #1 * 3 new fairway bunkers and location * 1 new greenside bunker * New green location adding 40 yards to hole * New green surround

Lehman Hole #2 * All new tees * Completely sodded entire fairway of 600 par 5 * 4 new greenside bunkers and location * Tree removal * Added new green areas and surround.

Lehman Hole #3 * Bunker removal * Added green to extend out into marsh area

Lehman Holes #4-#7 * Brand new holes

Lehman Hole #8 * All new tee areas * Tree Removal * New Green & Green complex * 2 new bunkers and location

Lehman Hole #9 * Added & reshaped fairway * Added new fairway bunker and location * Added 2 new greenside bunkers * Removed back portion of green and added to front half of green * Tree Removal

Lehman Holes #10-#13 * Brand new holes

Lehman Hole #14 * Removed back tee * 2 new greenside bunkers * Added to back right portion of the green * Tree Removal

Lehman Hole #15 * Removed 2 fairway bunkers * Added 1 new greenside bunker * Reshaped fairway line

Lehman Hole #16 * Removed 2 fairway bunkers * Added 2 new fairway bunkers and location * Added 2 greenside bunkers * Tree removal

Lehman Hole #17 * Added 3 new tee boxes * Removed 2 fairway bunkers * Added new fairway bunker and location * Tree Removal * New fairway line * Added 1 greenside bunker * Added to the back right portion of the green.

Lehman Hole #18 * Brand new hole

Over the past year, the other 18 holes of the Dutch were enhanced by the addition of white sand to all bunkers and newly paved cart paths. The Red Nine construction will not affect play for the remainder of this season.

Highlights of the Red Nine renovation include new tee boxes, grass fairway bunkers, greenside bunker placement and shaping, and fairway lines. On the 8th hole, the fairway has been lowered to offer a better visual from tee to green, while on the 9th hole, a stadium tee has been created for all tees.

"Every hole will be touched in some way and ultimately changed dramatically from its original look," said Minnesota native Tom Lehman, President and Designer of Lehman Design Group and longtime PGA Tour professional who captured the 1996 Open Championship. "We are very excited about this renovation of the Red Nine as it will nicely complement the other 18 holes on the Dutch course."

This season, golfers at Cragun's Resort are playing the Dutch Course Blue/White combination, which is the same layout used by PGA TOUR Canada's CRMC Championship presented by Gertens, contested over Labor Day weekend. From the championship tees, the pros play the course at par 70, stretching to 7,001 yards.

Golfers still have access to the nine-hole Par 3 Course, ideal for short-iron practice or to introduce a beginner to the game of golf. Instruction at the Chris Foley Golf School and other seasonal programming also is available.

All green fees include golf cart, GPS, and driving range privileges. Walking is allowed on the Par 3 Course and pull carts are available. Rates vary seasonally and resort overnight guests are afforded special green fees.

Cragun's Resort is located on beautiful Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn., and offers a wide array of outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups, including a mile-long sandy beach, biking, hiking trails, and watersports.

For additional information, access the website at www.craguns.com.