2023 Brainerd Lakes Area Golf Guide

2023 BRAINERD LAKES AREA

GOLF GUIDE

2023 EVENT SCHEDULES Tips FROM A PRO

LAKES AREA GOLF COURSE MAP & GUIDE

ATTN: Golf Guide Brainerd Dispatch 506 James St. Brainerd, MN 56401

6 Lakes Area Golf Course Map

7 Lakes Area Golf Course Guide

8 Course Event Schedule

COPY EDITOR DeLynn Howard PAGE DESIGNER Chris Johnson 16

12 Sharpe to be first ever instructor at Deacon’s Lodge

14 The Pines going through some changes

25 Schoenfelder takes over as new superintendent at Madden’s

Tips

Jesse Nelson, Grand View Lodge

Terry Thompson, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Savannah Nelson, Crosswoods Golf Course

Chris Foley, Chris Foley Golf School

ON THE COVER

Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Hole 17 (par 3)

Cuyuna Rolling Hills is celebrating 100 years this season. Come join us for a round, you won’t regret it!

Logan Jackson, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Cody Mager, Madden’s

Ryan Sharpe, Deacon’s Lodge

Gunnar Engebretsen, Assistant Golf Professional, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort

Dan Loken, Emily Greens Golf Course

2023 LAKES AREA GOLF COURSE MAP

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Breezy Point Resort 9252 Breezy Point Dr, Breezy Point, MN 56472

www.breezypointresort.com | (800) 432-3777

Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Legacy Golf Craguns 11320 Gull River Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401

11496 E Gull Lake Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401

www.craguns.com | (800) 272-4867

www.craguns.com/golf | 218-825-2789

Crosswoods Golf Course 35878 Co Rd 3, Crosslake, MN 56442

www.crosslakegolf.com | (218) 692-4653

Cuyuna Rolling Hills 24410 State Highway 210, Deerwood, MN 56444

www.cuyunarollinghillsgolf.com | (218) 534-3489

Eagles Landing

14825 263rd St, Fort Ripley, MN 56449

www.eagleslanding-golf.com | (866) 632-5721

Emily Greens 39966 Refuge Rd, Emily, MN 56447

www.emilygreens.com | (218) 763-2169

Golden Eagle Golf Club 16146 W Eagle Lake Rd, Fifty Lakes, MN 56448

www.golfgoldeneagle.com | (218) 763-4653

Grand View Lodge - The Pines 23521 Nokomis Ave, Nisswa, MN 56468

www.grandviewlodge.com | (866) 801-2951

Grand View Lodge - The Preserve 5505 Preserve Blvd, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

www.grandviewlodge.com | (866) 801-2951 10

Gravel Pit Golf 17300 Gull River Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401

www.gravelpitgolf.com

11 Little Falls Golf Course 1 Edgewater Dr, Little Falls, MN 56345

12

www.littlefallsgolf.com | (320) 616-5520

LongBow Golf Club 6516 Long Bow Trail NW, Walker, MN 56484

www.longbowgolfclub.com | (218) 547-4121 13

The Classic at Madden’s 11672 Co Hwy 18 SW, Brainerd, MN 56401

Maddens 11672 Co Hwy 18 SW, Brainerd, MN 56401

www.maddens.com | (218) 829-2811 14

www.maddens.com | (218) 829-2811

Minnesota National Golf Course 23247 480th St, McGregor, MN 55760

www.mnnationalgolfcourse.com | (218) 426-4444 15

Northwood Hills Golf Course 18217 Captive Lake Rd, Garrison, MN 56450

www.golfmillelacs.com | (320) 692-4325

Oak Hill Golf 8852 Indian Rd NW, Rice, MN 56367

www.oakhillgolfclub.com | (320) 259-8969

Pierz Golf Course and Campground 603 Park Ave SE, Pierz, MN 56364 | (320) 468-2662

Pine Ridge Golf Club 34500 Hillcrest Rd, Motley, MN 56466

www.pineridgegolfclubmotley.com | (218) 575-3300

Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort

25039 Tame Fish Lake Rd, Deerwood, MN 56444

www.ruttgers.com/golf | (218) 678-2885

Tianna Country Club

7470 MN-34, Walker, MN 56484

www.tianna.com | (218) 547-1712

The Vintage Golf Course

27923 McGivern Dr, Staples, MN 56479

www.vintagegolfclub.com | (218) 894-9907

Whitefish Golf Club

7883 Co Rd 16, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

www.whitefishgolf.com | (218) 543-4900

Whitetail Run (Wadena)

13379 Leaf River Rd, Wadena, MN 56482

www.whitetailrungolfcourse.com | (218) 631-7718

Wildwedge Golf Course

32792 Paul Bunyan Trail Drive, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

www.wildwedge.com | (218) 568-6995

COURSE EVENTS

MAY

May 6 - Two Person Tough Pin Scramble, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

May 11 - PXG Demo Day, The Classic at Madden’s

May 14 - Mother’s Play Free at Emily Greens

May 14-15 - The Classic at Madden’s Pro Am

May 18 - Callaway Demo Day, The Classic at Madden’s

May 19 - Callaway Fitting Day, The Pines

May 20 - Spring Fling ‘Go Low’ 9-hole Scramble, Emily Greens Golf Course

May 21 - Palisade SuperSledders, Emily Greens Golf Course

May 22 - MGA Senior Tour, Crosswoods Golf Course

May 27 - 17th Annual Memorial Weekend Parent Child Tournament, Pine Beach East

May 28 - Ping Demo Day, The Classic at Madden’s

May 28 - Legacy Spring Challenge

6-6-6, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

May 29-30 - Veterans Special, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

May 30-31 - MGA Senior Tour, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

JUNE

June 3 - TaylorMade Takeover Fitting Day, The Pines

The Preserve

June 7 - Pro Member, The Preserve

June 9 - Crosby Sports Boosters Tournament, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

June 10 - Taylormade Demo Day, The Classic at Madden’s

June 11 - Mizuno Demo Day, The Classic at Madden’s

June 16 - CRMC Driving for Hospice, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

The Classic at Madden’s

June 18 - Father’s Day $5 Special at Emily Greens

June 18 - GrandView Lodge

Challenge Pro-Am, The Preserve

June 19 - GrandView Lodge

Challenge Pro-Am, The Pines

June 19 - MN Senior PGA Event, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

June 19 - MN Jr. PGA Tour, Crosswoods Golf Course

June 23 - Brainerd Sports Boosters Tournament, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

June 24 - Callaway Fitting Day, The Pines

June 25 - Block North Scramble, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

June 25 - Couple Golf Nite, Crosswoods Golf Course

June 28 - Junior Golf Camp, Crosswoods Golf Course

June 30 - Joe Haeg’s Game Winning Drive, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

JULY

July 3 - Ohlin 4th of July, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

July 12 - Cuyuna Chamber Tournament, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

July 15 - TaylorMade Fitting Event, The Pines

July 16 - Emily Day 9-Hole ‘Go Low’ Scramble, Emily Greens Golf Course

July 16-17 Legacy Pro Am, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

July 19 - Pro Member, The Preserve

July 21 - MN Adult & Teen Challenge, The Pines

July 22 - MN State Putting Championship, The Pines

July 23 - Pine River-Backus Sports Boosters Fundraiser, Emily Greens Golf Course

July 23 - Member Guest, The Pines

July 25-26 - Junior Golf Camp, Crosswoods Golf Course

July 27 - Valor Cup, Emily Greens Golf Course

July 29-30 - Cragun’s Member-Guest, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

July 30 - Couple Golf NiteCrosswoods Golf Course

July 30 - The 15th Annual Battle of the Bars (tentative), Emily Greens Golf Course

AUGUST

Aug. 2 - Aitkin Riverboat Days Scramble, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Aug. 3 - Brainerd Chamber Tournament, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Department), Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Aug. 6 - 3rd Annual Team Gilboa Athletic Scholarship PGA Pro Am, Crosswoods Golf Course

Aug. 6-7 - MN Junior PGA Tournament of Champions, The Preserve

Aug. 8 - Pillager Booster Club Golf Tournament, Pine Beach West

Aug. 10 - St. Francis Fundraiser Tournament, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Aug. 11 - Deerwood Open, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Aug. 12 - Par 3 Shootout, The Pines

Aug. 13 - Club Championship, The Pines

Aug. 16 - Pro Member, The Pines

Aug. 19-20 - Cragun’s Club Championship, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Aug. 25 - Triton Wealth, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Aug. 25 - Mike WIlder Memorial Tournament, Crosswoods Golf Course

Aug. 25 - Vern Wehayes Fundraiser, Emily Greens Golf Course

Aug. 27 - Couples Golf Nite, Crosswoods Golf Course

Aug. 28-Sept. 3 - CRMC Championship (PGA Tour Canada), Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Aug. 30 - Ladies Invitational, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Pro-Am, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 8 - Steve Sandberg Memorial Tournament, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Sept. 8 - Sipe Tournament, The Pines

Sept. 9 - Taylormade Demo Day, The Classic at Madden’s

Sept. 9 - The Green Jacket Open, Emily Greens Golf Course

Sept. 14 - MSES Tournament, The Pines

Sept. 15 - Deerwood Technologies, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Sept. 19 - Leading Age Tournament, The Pines

Sept. 23 - 18th Annual Gary Stiner Ironman Classic, Emily Greens Golf Course

Sept. 23-24 - Fish and Golf, The Pines

Sept. 24 - Classic 6-6-6 Shootout

Boosters, The Classic at Madden’s

Sept. 28 - Nisswa Chamber Tournament, The Pines

OCTOBER

Oct. 1 - Cragun’s Fall Challenge, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Oct. 6-9 - KFAN Golf Closer, Grand View Lodge

Oct. 14 - Chilly Challenge, Pine Beach West

Oct. 14 - Iron Man, The Preserve

Oct. 15 - Iron Man, The Pines

Oct. 21 - Logtoberfest Red Tee Open, Emily Greens Golf Course

Oct. 21 - Cragun’s One Person Scramble, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Sharpe to be first ever instructor at Deacon's Lodge

Sharpe to be first ever instructor at Deacon's Lodge

BY CONRAD ENGSTROM Brainerd Dispatch

For the first time in its history, Deacon’s Lodge has a golf instruction.

Ryan Sharpe takes over as the director of instruction at the Breezy Point Resort course. It’s the first instruction title at the course since it opened in 1999.

“I’m really excited,” Sharpe said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to continue to grow and for Deacon’s to actually have a teaching professional for the first time in their existence and history of 25 years.”

The 37-year-old Sharpe spent the last four years as an instructor at the Chris Foley Golf School which is at Cragun’s Legacy Courses.

“Working under Chris was something I’m very thankful for,” Sharpe said. “The opportunity he gave me to grow as a teacher and to learn under him — he’s one of highest ranked golf instructors in the state. It was a great place to get my feet wet.”

Being the first-time instructor at a new course is going to be a little bit of a different experience for Sharpe.

“It’s not like I’m taking over someone else’s position,” he said. “The position was never there. I just think it’s a great opportunity to put my brand on a facility that didn’t have anything previously.”

Deacon’s Lodge is an Arnold Palmer designed course which was another reason for Sharpe to make the jump.

“Being the first one there and having my name associated with Arnold Palmer means a lot,” Sharpe said. “I think it’s a great opportunity and we will have a lot of great programs and try to get this program going to continue to have success with students all over northern Minnesota.”

Sharpe added it felt good to have the support of Mark Neva, who is the longtime PGA Professional at Deacon’s Lodge.

“It means a lot to have the support of their staff and Mark Neva,” Sharpe said. “Just having that Deacon’s Lodge name attached to Ryan Sharpe golf, you know it’s a pretty high ranked golf course in the state. It’s nice to be connected with that.”

Sharpe’s goal as an instructor hasn’t changed much. He hopes those that come to Deacon’s Lodge can grow in the game of golf.

Practice on the Course

Jesse Nelson, Grand View Lodge

Playing alone can be a tough concept for some golfers, myself included. I didn’t enjoy it as much as playing with my friends or in tournaments. Without the social part of the game, it can feel different.

However, using that time alone on the course can be majorly beneficial to your game and can be used as extra motivation and practice when you can’t find someone to join you. I encourage you to take those opportunities to go out solo and turn some play into practice. Here are a few of my favorite things to do alone on the course that have helped improve my game.

The Penalty Game

Any shot you hit out of the fairway, fringe, or green is a one-shot penalty. This creates a fun

competition with yourself but also changes your shot selection and encourages you to be a little more mindful and intentional.

Irons only

Leaving the woods in the vehicle and just playing irons around the course. This is a great way to work on long irons on the tee and into greens.

Evens and Odds

Only use even number clubs on the front nine and odd number clubs on the back nine. This will help bring out your creative side and get you hitting some different shots.

I hope you can use this or a similar version of this to work on improving your overall game while playing alone or with others on the golf course. Enjoy the 2023 season!

“My students come from all over the state,” Sharpe said. “From Roseau to Grand Forks to local kids, just to use the facilities out at Deacon’s is going to give me students the opportunity to keep getting better.”

One of those facilities Sharpe is excited to use is the driving range at Deacon’s Lodge. “They have in my opinion the best driving range in the state,” he said.

Sharpe mentioned working in a place like the lakes area makes him feel a little spoiled.

“We have a lot of great courses from The Classic to Cragun’s to Deacon’s Lodge to Grand View,” he said. “The facilities we have are incredible. Waking up every day and getting 1% better every day and building those relationships and adding things to my students is exciting.”

CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@brainerddispatch.com.

Tips FROM A PRO

Enjoy the Golf Season

Terry Thompson, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Our tip this year is going to be not so much physical as it is mental. This winter has been longer than ever, and as a golfer in Minnesota you should appreciate the time we do have. Odds are you are not a pro, odds are you don’t have a single digit handicap. Golf is a tough game and it is very easy to get frustrated with it. With that being said, we encourage you to enjoy the round, your surroundings, the weather, and the game as much as you can each time you play. Always remember, a bad day golfing will always be better than a good day at work.

Three Courses of Must-Play Golf

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER

Golfing at Breezy Point has long been a favorite activity for visitors and residents to the lakes area.

“This is looking to be a really busy season,” says Nolan Toft, head golf pro at Whitebirch and the Traditional courses of the upcoming year. “Our pre-bookings are off the charts again and we have some exciting additions coming this year that we are really looking forward to.”

With three acclaimed courses to golf at Breezy Point, there is truly a golf experience waiting for everyone.

Deacon’s Lodge is named by Arnold Palmer after his father and features both exquisite lakes and woods that define the area. Whitebirch was one of the first championship course layouts around and it never disappoints, whether you are looking for a relaxing

round of golf with friends or something a little more serious. The traditional course is a long-time favorite for everyone to play for fun in the summer.

latest in apparel. This year offers an opportunity to find a club that fits your swing perfectly because Breezy Point is now a Mizuno club-fitting facility with a full-fitting cart. The service was offered last year but this year it has already become even more popular.

“We had a really successful off-season with several fitting days and individual fitting sessions,” says Toft. “That’s been really fun.”

Antler’s Restaurant offers a full bar and a light meal to unwind with after a good round of golf, as well as something a little more savory, including steak and seafood. The pro shops and clubhouses at the courses at Breezy Point feature the

Another exciting addition to summer golf at Breezy Point this year will be for the up and coming youth golfer. A junior kids’ camp and a short-term kids’ league at the Traditional course are both set to begin.

For more information on Deacon’s Lodge, Whitebirch or the Traditional

Tips FROM A PRO Short Game: The Biggest Game Changer

Savannah Nelson, Crosswoods Golf Course

When executed correctly, short games can reduce strokes and make the game of golf more enjoyable. When teaching these shorter shots, I like to have my students focus on three important aspects: grip pressure, stable body position and ball position. Chipping and pitching, similar to putting, are very delicate and take a bit of touch.

One of the most common mistakes I see around the green is golfers tensing up and getting stiff with a wedge in their hands. In reality, golfers should have a lighter grip and let the club do most of the work. The club was designed to get the ball in the air, all the golf has to do is take a swing in the proper position. My recommendation for the player who tends to stiffen up is to think about having “dead hands.” Let the club feel heavy in your grip, while lightly holding it. Another way of

thinking about it would be to imagine holding a baby bird. You don’t want to crush the bird, but also don’t want it to fly away.

The second aspect to a proper chip is having a stable body position. When addressing the ball, the golfer should have most of their weight on their lead foot (foot closer to the target). The reason behind this is that chipping does not require a full weight transfer. By establishing weight on the front foot before the shot, it will help get the club through the ball. The golfer should also be focusing on a stable upper body, meaning limited head movement while taking the shot. Keeping the head stable will help eliminate those thinned and chunked shots.

The last piece to proper chipping is ball position. Due to the fact that chipping is typically done with the shortest clubs in our bag

(sand wedge, gap wedge, pitching wedge), it doesn’t take as long for that club to reach the ground. Shorter clubs also mean a steeper swing, where the club hits the ground sooner. With this being said, the ball should be played closer to the back foot. One recommendation I have to ensure proper ball position is starting with feet together, take a normal step out with the lead foot, and a smaller step out with the back foot. The golfer can always make small adjustments as they see fit.

With these simple steps, chipping can become fun and used to improve one’s game. When chips end up closer to the hole, putting becomes much easier. Even though chipping takes one of the smallest swings, it can be the biggest difference between a birdie and a bogey.

Cuyuna Rolling Hills Celebrates 100 Years

BY TERRY THOMPSON

Not many businesses can say they are 100 years old. Cuyuna Rolling Hills/Cuyuna Country Club has that distinction. Back in 1923 several businessmen, which were mostly involved in iron mining, came together and formed Cuyuna Country Club. One of the main people involved in forming the Country Club was Cuyler Adams. Cuyler and his dog Una are whom the Cuyuna Range is named after. It was developed as a nine-hole golf course run by its members. Over the years there have been many changes to the golf course, with one of the biggest being the expansion of another nine holes in 1988. Another big change was when the Thompson family purchased the golf course in December of 2013. After the purchase the golf course nearly $2 million dollars has been put back into the course for repairs and updating.

The golf course is situated on 156 acres of rolling-wooded-hills, hence the name Cuyuna Rolling Hills. The design is phe-

The cost of being a member or coming here to play a round of golf is extremely affordable. The golf course is open to public play 7 days a week. There are many reasons why our golf rounds have doubled in the last 10 years, but being affordable and very laid back are two important reasons. We just want people to come here and have a good time.

Because we are turning 100 years old, we are going to have some celebrations throughout the 2023 season. On Aug. 11, we will host the 32nd annual Derwood Open golf tournament and invite the community to join us afterwards for an outdoor barbecue and live music.

nomenal, the back nine makes you feel like you’re golfing on a trail through the woods. It has been the goal of the Thompsons to make Cuyuna Rolling Hills one of the premier golf courses in the Brainerd lakes area.

For more information about memberships, green fees and events, visit Cuyunarollinghillsgolf.com or follow us on Facebook. You’re also welcome to call us at 218-534-3489.

GOLF COURSE

A New Era for Grand View Lodge Golf

2022 brought excitement and change at Grand View Lodge through a partnership with Bobby Jones Links for a three-phase renovation project at The Pines, ranked as the No. 4 public-access course in the state by Golfweek. In 2023, golfers will be able to reap the benefits.

The Lakes Course saw a significant transformation to the bunkers last fall. Bunkers were added in certain areas and removed in others, improving the course’s strategy, playability, and drainage. Ohio’s Best white sand was also added to enhance the bunkers consistency and playability.

Golfers will immediately notice the change on the first tee of the Lakes track, where a decision will have to be made on whether to lay up or try to carry two large fairway bunkers that have been reconfigured and

re-contoured, bringing them more into play. The changes continue on every hole except for the signature par-3 7th, which does not feature a bunker.

Concluding the Lakes stretch, golfers will also notice a major transformation on the par-3 ninth, which has been a very difficult test with a two-tiered green in the past. The right, lower-tiered side of the green was eliminated, improving the shape of the hole and making it much more visually pleasing.

Similar changes have also occurred on the Woods Course, where Bobby Jones Links made significant progress ahead of schedule last fall. The Lakes Course at The Pines will be open immediately this spring, while the renovated Woods Course is slated to open June 1. The final phase will be the renovation of the Marsh Course, which will see vast renovations

to tee boxes, bunkers, and cart paths and will open in spring 2024.

Adam Haugen, director of Golf at Grand View Lodge, added, “Last year, we couldn’t wait to get this project started; this year I can’t wait to see the reactions from golfers after they experience the improvements. Year after year, we continue to elevate the golf experience for our guests and members, and we look forward to continuing to do so.”

During this upcoming season, golfers at Grand View Lodge will have the best golf experience in the Brainerd lakes area with a newly renovated 18 holes at The Pines with nine more to follow, as well as the challenge of its other 18-hole championship course, The Preserve, known for its pristine conditions and elevated tee boxes.

Practice for Performance - Distance Control

Golf is one of the few games that is not practiced on the actual field of play. Games like football, basketball, tennis, and hockey are all practiced on the court, rink or field where the game is actually played. Unfortunately, in golf, the majority of our practice occurs at a driving range. Most of the time the driving range has no resemblance to the golf course. This environment typically doesn’t lead to great performance on the golf course.

To transfer our practice on the driving range to the golf course we need to have the following elements.

1. The drill, game, or exercise needs to create awareness and be engaging. Things like changing targets frequently, creating different sensations or feels and pushing you out of your comfort zone

2. The practice needs to be measurable. When we measure our practice, it gives us a true gauge of how we are doing. From day to day we can track improvement or regression.

3. There needs to be consequences in practice. We need to compete while we practice. This is what truly bridges the gap between the

range and the golf course. The practice experience needs to be closer to the actual golf course experience.

As you start the golf season an area of focus in your practice should be distance control on the putting green. Distance control is the most important element of putting. Having great distance control minimizes three putts and enhances the opportunity to make putts. For better distance control, try the following exercise.

1. Place two coins or ball markers on the practice green approximately 18 inches apart. The markers create a zone where you are trying to stop the ball. The markers should be placed so that from one side the putt is uphill and from the other side the putt is downhill.

2. Place a ball one pace away from the zone on the uphill side and a ball one pace away on the downhill side of the zone. The objective is to putt each ball and have them stop inside of the zone. Alternate between hitting the uphill putt and the downhill putt.

3. Move back one pace if both balls stop in the zone.

4. Continue this process moving back one pace following having both balls stop in the zone.

5. The exercise is completed when you have successfully had both balls stop in the zone from one, two, three, four and five paces on each side of the hole.

6. Track how many putts it takes to complete the exercise.

To add an element of competition to this exercise, practice with a friend. Start at one pace with one person on each side of the zone. Each player hits a putt. If the putt ends in the zone the player receives a point. Switch sides and move back one pace. Continue this process moving back one pace after each player putts. The first player to get to five points wins. After the players putt from five paces, if neither player has scored five points move back to one pace away from the zone.

Utilizing this exercise to improve your distance control! You will make more putts and will shoot lower scores!

Chris Foley of Chris Foley Golf School

Tips

Tips FROM A PRO

Improve early swing pieces to fight your slice this season.

Logan Jackson, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

Whether we’re in mid-season form, or just starting off for the spring, the direction our golf ball is traveling is one of our largest concerns, and specifically if our ball is traveling rightward seems to be the most common directional frustration. Yet with a few simple alterations early in the swing, Saturday slicers can see some improvement in their flight. First our setup must be correct, specifically beginning with our alignment. Although the club face is the number one determinant of the direction of the golf ball, our body is a close second. When setting up, we want to see our feet, hips, and shoulders all pointing on the same line, which is preferably our target line. To correct for set up positions causing the ball to curve right, for a right handed player, we begin by bringing the left foot slightly ahead of the right at address also known as closing our stance. From here we alter our shoulders to match, by turning the

left shoulder more rightward, and bringing it closer to our chin. A good checkpoint to use to assess this is to use either an alignment stick, or golf club and place one by your feet, and hold the other across your shoulders, if the two point in opposite directions determine which body part needs to be altered to match. The second step in directional correction is to alter the face in the takeaway. Many times players allow the face to open as they work away from the ball, leading to it being open at impact. Our checkpoint when improving this position is where the face is pointing when the hands are at waist height. If the face is aimed towards the sky, it is open, and should be corrected. Ideally we want the face pointing slightly towards the ground. In practice exaggeration of this position with having the face point directly at the ground, will help to reduce right curvature.

Finishing your swing in balance

Cody Mager, Madden’s

The finish position that you obtain as your swing has concluded will be very telling of the swing you have just made. Golfers that can achieve a full, well balanced swing are typically using their bodies correctly through the backswing and downswing. If you find yourself watching some golf on TV, look closely at how those players on tour are able to finish their swing in balance. Most players you see on tour will hold their finish till their shot has landed, which is displaying how great of control and balance of

their swing they have. That should be your goal when working on finishing your swing. When you are able to achieve swinging all the way through your shot to your finish, you will typically generate more club head speed through impact, which is a very vital part to great ball striking. Work on reaching a balanced finish while you find yourself practicing out on the practice facilities, and transfer those practices from the practice range to each shot while you are out on the course.

The Art of Chipping

Ryan Sharpe, Deacon’s Lodge

If you are struggling with chipping the ball, try this:

On virtually every short game shot, you want to start with your weight forward and keep it there. The best way to feel this and work on it (for a right-handed golfer) is by putting all of your weight on your left foot and move the right foot back, so only the tip of your right shoe

is n the ground. After you do that, place the club in the left hand only and try balancing. After you place the club in the left hand, try turning the right hip back, keeping your shoulder and hips level. Make sure you stay on your left side as you turn through. You get the feeling of rotary action on the top of a single axis and no slide or tilt.

The third and final step in correcting the slice early in the swing is the direction of the takeaway. In my experience many players that tend to slice the ball push the club up and away from them in the takeaway, when really it should work more around them. A good rule of thumb when taking the club back is that the hands pass over the right knee and work over the right pocket for right handed golfers. When working in this direction we set ourselves up for the club to travel on a more in to out path, and with assistance from the face alteration in tip two, we are able to shape the ball more right to left. As much as we all want to hit the ball perfectly straight every time, curvature in any direction is almost a guarantee, yet the more we can reduce the factors that emphasize this movement, the straighter shots we will see.

Control the Chip Gunnar Engebretsen, Assistant Golf Professional, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort

The big thing in chipping is controlling how far the ball will roll out. If you plan to hit high or low shots, keep your chip shots simple by following this process. First, walk the distance to the hole and look at the shot from behind the hole to visualize how the ball will roll out on the green. Next, pick the club that will most benefit the shot you want to hit. You want the ball to start rolling as soon as possible. If the situation has you hitting it low, move the ball back in your stance for lower trajectory with more roll. Hitting it high, move the ball forward in your stance for a higher trajectory with less roll. You want to feel you’re making the same stroke every time, so the only things changed are the club and where the ball is positioned.

Emily Greens: It’s all about fun on the golf course

When you come out to play a round of golf, your main goal is to have some fun while enjoying the great outdoors. At Emily Greens, they recognize this and do everything they can to set you up to have the best time possible. From the time you walk in the clubhouse to the time you drive out, their goal is to do all the little things so you can go home and feel good about what you experienced at the course.

Every person walking through the door is welcomed and treated as a valued customer. We have all had experiences where we did not feel welcomed or where you were made to feel like you were doing the business a favor by being there. Not at Emily Greens — the golfer is at the heart of their efforts. Out on the golf course, the course has always been maintained well. It is a beautiful northwoods course where you can still find your ball easily. If you happen to hit a bad shot and are looking for a ball, a maintenance staff member just might swing by to help you look if he or she is in the area. Who does that? It is all a part of their philosophy and focus on the players having a great time. Who likes to lose a

ball? Nobody.

A part of having a great time on the course is the memories you make while playing golf. Emily Greens features the largest green in the state and the selfies taken as players are coming off the 17th green show up on Facebook all the time. The 11th hole is one of the prettiest Par 3s in the Brainerd lakes area. Great Places Minnesota included the 17th hole at Emily Greens as one of its “Great 18.” Family outings with three or even four generations on the first tee creates that Hallmark moment that becomes a part of

a family’s legacy that will be relived at the family get togethers for years to come.

In 2018 and 2019, Emily Greens was voted the No. 1 course in the Best of the Brainerd Lakes contest sponsored by the Brainerd Dispatch. Many things factor into achieving this award. The fact it’s a fun and affordable golf course, combined with a customer-first approach goes a long way in coming out on top with the public.

Dan Loken, PGA pro, has been giving lessons at Emily Greens for 12 years and has great lesson packages that can help tune up and improve your game. A few better shots each round leads to lower scores which in turn leads to more fun on the golf course. A driving range and putting green rounds out the practice facility where you can work on every part of your game.

Emily Greens is a great course to come out and play with your spouse, the guys, the girls, the work group or the family. Whether you are a novice or a low handicapper, you will come away with your own memories and stories.

Tee times can be made by calling the clubhouse at 218-763-2169.

Madden’s Embraces The Greenway Program

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER

For more than 90 years, golf courses at Madden’s on Gull Lake have been a favorite for golfers across the nation. For the past 15 years, Madden’s has been using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in every area of the resort, including their four golf courses — The Classic, Pine Beach East, Pine Beach West and the Social 9. Implementation of the Greenway Program takes the movement onto its prized courses. The program encourages less nutrients and pesticides on the greens and uses a more natural approach for plant health. Vegetation on the courses is allowed to grow and ward off disease using its own natural defenses.

Tanner Schoenfelder is the new golf course superintendent at Madden’s. He says ultimately the golfer experiences faster firmer playing surfaces. The program encourages the growth of bentgrass which produces a smoother surface. The initiative is a big part of

the reason he was drawn to his new position, and that it is important to let Mother Nature do some of the work on the courses.

Schoenfelder grew up in the FargoMoorhead area and says he’s been working on a golf course since he was young. With a degree in sports turf management, he has worked at a handful of Top 100 courses throughout the United States including Cherry Hills, in Denver, Colorado, and Bethpage in New York. Prior to coming to Madden’s, he spent four years as the lead superintendent at Wolf Creek Golf Course in Mesquite, Nevada.

“I have liked seeing how the practice works around the United States. The focus at Madden’s will be water savings and efficiency in watering and allowing the plant to do what it does naturally versus mitigating that with too many fungicides and chemicals. We will

use minor fertilizing and watering and do monitoring to let the plant build its own defenses,” Schoenfelder said.

“The Classic is a nationally recognized course and I strive to keep it there.

My passion is just creating the best playing surface I can from all aspects, from the tee boxes to the middle of the green to the fairway,” he said.

Schoenfelder and his wife, Cynthia, were married in April. “I used to golf at Madden’s with my mom when I was a kid. It is great to now call Madden’s home. This is a perfect move for us. This is where we want to start a family.

“I look forward to hearing from people about the greens, as far as their experience and fun. I am really looking forward to it. I plan on being at Madden’s for a long time and I’m looking forward to seeing where we take it,” said Schoenfelder.

Cragun’s Legacy Course is a MUST play in 2023

On the home stretch of a $14 million golf course renovation and expansion project making Cragun’s Legacy Courses the newest premier championship courses in Minnesota. The project is led in partnership with MN Native & PGA TOUR legend, Tom Lehman. The project took the existing 36 holes and used over 600 acres of property to form the Lehman 18 and Dutch 27 golf courses.

Just last year in September, the Lehman 18 was opened for fall preview play, offering members, resort guests and the public a quick view of the course before the 2022 golf season ended. With a winter of rest and a full spring, Cragun’s Legacy Courses is looking forward to an exciting season for their two championship courses.

They are happy to announce they will have 36 holes of championship golf open all season long. The season will start with the new Lehman 18 combined with the Dutch 18. The Dutch 18 will consist of the existing Bobby’s front 9 and the newly renovated back 9 which opened last year and hosted the CRMC Championship. On June 30 they will close the existing Bobby’s front 9 for renovation and open a new renovated 9 which was finished in July of 2022. This will bring them to a very exciting 36 holes of new or renovated golf.

“June 30 marks a very big day here at Cragun’s Legacy Courses with two absolutely beautiful championship golf courses open for play out of one facility. We’re very excited and we think our customers will love it,” said Jack Wawro, director of golf.

Returning for a second year, the CRMC Championship presented by Gertens is taking place on Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 28-Sept. 3, 2023. Cragun’s Legacy Courses will be a critical stop for the PGA TOUR Canada as it is the last tournament in a season-long point race before players compete in the final tournament, the Fortinet Cup Championship. Only the top five players of the Fortinet Cup Race will receive Korn Ferry Membership in 2024. They encourage everyone to participate as a spectator, volunteer or a sponsor. Entry for spectators is free this season courtesy of our ticket sponsor, Northern Pacific Center. More information about the event can be found at crmcchampionship.com.

“It was thrilling to see what these players can do right here at our home course. This year they will be getting a new golf course playing our renovated Dutch 18. This combined with a different spot in the schedule I think the spectators will see plenty of drama and action,” said Wawro.

In addition to all the exciting things happening at the golf course, Cragun’s Developments has partnered with Evolution Resort Real Estate to bring a new opportunity for those seeking a residential or vacation home. Two new homes are being built on Legacy Ridge, overlooking the Lehman 18 golf course and will become part of the Private Collection by Cragun’s. For additional information or to inquire about golf opportunities, please visit cra-

ab o

Tips FROM A PRO

The Lesson for this year is sand shots - Hit them High and Soft Dan Loken, Emily Greens Golf Course

Most golfers can get the ball out of sand, but few will know what the ball is going to do after it hits the green. For many, the ball will go racing by the hole and can end up with a long putt or even roll off the green on the far side having to chip back to the hole. The desired shot for most greenside bunkers is to hit it high and soft. I will describe how to get the loft and spin that can help you get that elusive sand save on a more regular basis.

To achieve the needed loft, open the clubface of your sand wedge slightly and play the ball off your front instep. Swing

with the idea of hitting 2-3 inches behind the ball. With the clubface open and the bounce of your wedge, the club will slide right through the sand. You want to explode the sand right out with the ball. The result will be a high and soft sand shot that has a chance to get close to the hole. Don’t be afraid of the bunker shot. If your practice facility has a bunker, a few practice bunker shots will go a long way to getting a better feel for this shot that can save strokes off your score. As many of the pro golfers on TV say ‘The sand is my friend.’ Good luck!