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.

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!