LEGACY COURSES AT CRAGUN¹S NAMED GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR

BRAINERD, MN  AUGUST 14, 2002 ­ Dutch and Irma Cragun, owners of the Legacy Courses at Cragun¹s, have announced that the golf course has been named the 2002 Course of the Year by the Midwest Golf Course Owners Association.  

The award will be presented by Bruce Gohman, President of MWGCOA at the Association's 6th Annual Conference and Trade Show on October 28-30, 2002.  The conference will be held at the Prom Center in Oakdale, Minnesota.

The MWGCOA Golf Course of the Year is given to one golf course annually to recognize its long-term and significant contributions to the game of golf.  The award honors a single course for exceptional course quality, exceptional quality of management, outstanding contribution to the community and significant contribution to the game.

Opening in 1997, the Legacy Courses at Cragun's  was designed by world-renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones, Jr.  With the recent opening of its latest 19-hole course, the Legacy Courses at Cragun¹s now consists of 55 holes of golf.  

"We're truly honored to be chosen Golf Course of the Year," Dutch Cragun commented. "³It's an honor that reflects on years of planning and hard work on the part of the entire Cragun's golf staff, as well as Robert Trent Jones, Jr."

"When the Legacy was created, our vision was to develop a quality, world class golf experience that would go beyond the other great courses in the Brainerd area.  Irma and I wanted the Legacy to serve as a valued resource for the community.  Through our community and charity work at the course, we¹re working to fulfill that vision."

The newest Legacy course is the 19-hole Bobby's Legacy, named after its designer.  It's a par-73 venue that's 6,920 yards long, featuring spectacular lake vistas, dramatic elevation changes and is designed to reward shot makers.  It is already considered to be the Legacy's showcase course.  Bobby's Legacy is also the location of the new 19th hole, nicknamed, "The Gambler's Hole."  It's the only hole of its kind in Minnesota, designed for settling playoffs or a little bet.

The original 18-hole championship course is called Dutch Legacy, named after the originators of the game of  "Colf" in the 11th century.  The course features moderate elevation changes, with many holes routed through forests and over wetlands.  The Dutch Legacy is a par 72 course that's 6,870 yards long.

Rounding out the 55 holes is the unique par three, Reversible 18-Hole Course with 12 greens that can be played in opposite directions on alternate days.  Rotating tees and greens create different playing experiences.  Jones designed this course in the spirit of the legendary St. Andrews in Scotland, which "rests" alternate holes in winter.

As Minnesota's only Audubon Signature Sanctuary course, woods, water and wetlands come into play on every hole.  Wildlife abounds around the Legacy.  All the courses have bent grass greens, fairways and tees to enhance the quality of the Legacy golfing experience.

The Legacy golf complex is complete with a 35,000 square foot clubhouse and the Legacy Grille.

For more information on the Legacy Courses at Cragun's, contact Tom Kientzle, Director of Golf, or Chuck Klecatsky, Head PGA Pro, at:  1-800-CRAGUNS (1-800-272-4867) or visit our web site at www.craguns.com. For more information on the award, contact Curt Walker at mwgcoa@aol.com or call 1-952-854-7272 or toll-free at 1-877-954-7272.