Cragun's Legacy Courses

CRAGUN’S LEGACY COURSES

HISTORY & BACKGROUND:

Ground was broken for Cragun’s Legacy Courses in August 1997, on a tract of virgin woods that Dutch and Irma Cragun had set aside with the notion of one day converting into a park. After a lengthy process of reviewing the work of the world’s top 20 golf course architects, the Craguns chose Robert Trent Jones, Jr. as the Legacy’s designer. Ultimately, the Craguns chose Jones’ work because they liked his minimalist penchant for preserving a site’s natural characteristics and moving as little earth as possible. The Cragun’s believed this approach would work well with the 300 acres of rolling terrain, wetlands, dense forests and striking lake views.

Known as the father of environmental golf, Jones employed his philosophy of minimal disturbance of the land to create his vision for the Legacy as a special golf course that is a “place of the earth, for the spirit.”

In that spirit, Cragun’s Legacy Courses are now 54 holes of golf appealing to all levels of players. Cragun’s Legacy offers two full 18-hole championship courses as well as a unique par-three 18 hole Reversible Nine-Hole Course that plays 9 holes on alternate days. FootGolf was introduced on the Par 3 Course a couple of years ago and it has proven to be very popular.

The environmental standards Jones set to embrace the beauty of this unique “place of the earth” resulted in the designation of Cragun’s Legacy Courses as a “Signature Sanctuary” by Audubon International, the second resort course in the world to achieve this honor.

The courses are set in a 1,000-acre wooded sanctuary and surround a 104-acre Stephens Lake. Some of the amenities include 1,450 feet of bridges, a calming waterfall and spectacular greens surrounded by such natural hazards as wetlands, water and bunkers.

The Legacy courses are world-class yet, because of Jones’ options in the design, are playable for all levels of golfers. Four-to-eleven sets of tees per hole are designed to allow the individual player’s to play to their level of experience.

THE COURSES:

Three courses provide beauty and challenge in an unmatched lake country setting for golf…

  • Dutch Legacy 18-Hole Course—Par 72, 6,879 Yards
    The crown jewel of Brainerd golf courses, Golf Digest has rated the Dutch Legacy at 5 stars, making it one of only 24 five-star public courses in the U.S. for 2008-09. Brilliant design blends with the beauty of an Audubon Signature Sanctuary course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The design showcases a skillful blend of par 3s, 4s and 5s, resulting in an exciting level of playability for all levels of golfers. At least five sets of tees are positioned on each hole. The front nine features a blend of par threes, fours and fives. The back nine has eight of nine holes winding among wetlands and marshes.
  • Bobby’s Legacy 18-hole Course—Par 73, 6,755 yards
    Bobby’s Legacy is named after its master designer, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. What appears to be close at hand and within easy distance may not be as easy to achieve as it looks. Bobby’s Legacy features some elusive and shorter par fours that blend with long, more difficult par fours and fives. Bobby’s features more split fairways, more multiple tees and it’s a lot more target golf than Dutch’s. A waterfall cascading along a green challenges all the shots in the golfer’s arsenal. The blend of low lying areas near numerous wetlands, elevation changes and dramatic lake vistas weave together for signature Legacy Courses beauty.
  • Reversible Par 3 Course—Clockwise: Par 27—1,365 Yards Counterclockwise: Par 27—1,240 Yards
    Inspired by the layout of historic St. Andrew’s in Scotland, its ideal for practice play by families or novice golfers.
  • 19th “Gambler’s” Hole—Unique in Golf
    A par 3, designed as a tiebreaker hole or for settling a little bet. The hole is surrounded by bunkers.

THE FACILITIES:

Cragun’s Legacy Courses offer the complete environment for golf, from a practice facility to a spectacular clubhouse and restaurant.

  • Practice Facility
    Includes a driving range, pitch and chip area and two putting greens.
  • Professional Staff
    The Legacy’s professional teaching staff provides group or private lessons, daily clinics, corporate seminars and ladies and junior instruction with customized teaching.
  • “The Turn”
    The Legacy is designed so that each nine hole course ends at the Legacy Clubhouse, before continuing on to finish 18. Tee times can be scheduled so golfers can schedule a break between nines for a quick lunch.
  • Legacy Clubhouse
    The 35,000 square foot Legacy Clubhouse houses the Legacy Pro Shop, Legacy Grille and sports bar. Fireplace lounging areas, private locker rooms and three meeting rooms overlooking the course are included. The Pavilion Room is designed to host weddings, receptions, bridal or groom showers or golf tournaments, seating 250.
  • Legacy Grille
    Serving lunch and dinner to the public or golfers on the go. It’s the ideal setting for a business luncheon, meeting or dinner party. Accommodates up to 150.
  • ProLink Golf Carts with GPS
    All of the Legacy’s golf carts are equipped with the ProLink Acutrak navigational system. The on-board GPS screen displays each holes layout, hazards and distance from your ball to the flag. Food or drink can be ordered right from the cart and emergency help and weather warnings can be transmitted.