Brainerd, Minnesota- Back when Golf Digest awarded star ratings to golf courses, Cragun’s Resort was one of the only resorts in all of America with multiple 4.5-Star rated designs. Hard to imagine as it may be the golf at Cragun’s Resort has only improved since then.
The project is two-fold, Cragun’s Director of Golf Jack Wawro says. “We wanted to dramatically improve playability along with building something completely new.” Better playability improves pace of play, scoring, and the potential for fun, allowing one of Minnesota’s busiest golf resorts to get even busier. General Manager Eric Peterson says, “our priority is focused on giving every single golfer the best possible experience, every day.”
The 45-hole project has 27 renovated and 9 new holes completed to date. “Dreams do come true,” Eric says while touring Minnesota legend Tom Lehman’s course and pointing out a hole that he and Jack believe may become the best par 3 in the state. “But sometimes the reality is better than the dream.” The historic project is currently 80% completed, with the new Lehman 18 opening September 1st of this year.
“There were so many teeing areas that made for better green complexes,” Eric Peterson explained. “And vice versa. The playing corridors feel so much more expansive now on most of the renovated holes. It’s the same beautiful land, just used so very differently.” Duininck Golf’s Project Superintendent, Jacob Cooper, provided a little inside information on Tom Lehman’s design process. “Tom likes to focus on keeping his key features off parallel lines. He’ll go to the turning point on a hole and make sure all visual lines are broken up both ways, so the overall appearance is more natural.”
Some of that expansion came from clearing trees to widen fairways, but a lot of it was just a matter of yardages off tees and changing the landing areas on holes. “It’s really amazing,” Jack says, “and even more amazing is that arguably some of the best land on the property wasn’t even being used for golf.”
Cragun’s Resort will be hosting the CRMC Championship Golf Tournament in September of 2022—the first ever event on their tour held outside of Canada. “I can’t wait,” Eric says. “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the Legacy Course, our Team, and the entire resort.”
About Duininck Golf
Duininck Golf is part of the Duininck Companies established in 1926 based in Prinsburg, MN. A member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), Duininck Golf has completed new course, renovation and irrigation installation projects throughout the United States working alongside many well-known golf course architects, many who are members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). With offices in Minnesota, Texas and Georgia, Duininck Golf has the resources and regional expertise to provide uncompromised service and attention to detail to its clients.
Media Contact:
Sam Duininck
Sam.duininck@duininck.com
404-895-6716
