Courtesy of Cragun's Resort (3)
Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota, has been hosting friends and families seeking outdoor adventures, natural solace and a change of scene since the 1940s. When I had the chance to visit and see what it was all about, I didn’t hesitate. Wholesome fun, golf, a new destination and meeting nice people — yes, please!
In the winter there’s ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Summer activities include pontoon boats, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboards, a fitness trail, pickleball, a sandy beach along Gull Lake and more. That’s before we even address Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
The variety of golf available at the Legacy Courses is tremendous. From the par-3 Nice Nine, to the varied and deliberately playable Dutch 27, to the challenging Lehman 18, the goal was to combine great beauty, great strategy and great conditioning across these courses. They are achieving that and in doing so, they’re offering layouts that accommodate every kind of golfer, or golf getaway, from buddies to families to intrepid couples and solo players.
All 54 holes have been considered and the construction began in 2021. Tom Lehman and his partner, Chris Brands, of Lehman Design Group, worked with Matt McKinnon, Cragun’s director of agronomy. Lehman, born and raised in Minnesota, made his way to the PGA Tour and won several times, including the 1996 Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (Lytham Saint Annes, England). He currently plays on the PGA Champions Tour.
When Lehman was at the property watching his son play in a tournament in 2020, he met Merrill “Dutch” Cragun, Jr., whose family had been operating the property for decades. Lehman and Dutch connected, and the rest is history regarding the renovation. But new history is being made. 2025 has seen a change in ownership, with Cragun’s Resort becoming part of the Leisure Hotels & Resorts family of properties.
The Dutch 27 consists of three nines: Red, White and Blue. The grand opening of the Red Nine, the final piece of the renovation puzzle, was one reason I was happy to visit. While remarks were made and questions answered during the event, it was clear that there was a high level of enthusiasm for all the good things that have already happened, and for the potential of a promising future.
There was also a sense of relief: They did it. Golf was always available throughout construction, which posed some logistical challenges, but they made it. There are no maintenance days, and there are only six year-round, full-time staff — McKinnon, two superintendents, two assistants and the mechanic.
Golf is played from mid-April through mid-October, and the seasonal team is peaking at 52 this summer. More employees want limited, flexible hours as they work, meaning that a greater quantity of employees is necessary to maintain high-quality standards.
The ownership was supportive throughout the design, changes and construction, and the conversations between Lehman and McKinnon were earnest and honest. They praised one another as everyone was working for the best outcome — like a family.
Specifically, Lehman praised McKinnon and his hard work, referencing him as the “all-star of all-stars” and noting that the courses were impeccable because of his leadership. The Legacy Courses at Cragun’s have been certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary since 1999 and they are distinctly beautiful.
The rolling terrain is verdant with rustic wooden bridges traversing large swaths of wetlands. Cattails lean into each other like they’re having serious, private conversations. Fragrant lavender thistles host buzzing bees, with towering trees providing an aesthetic framework. The turf is firm and the greens roll true.
Throughout the renovation, fairway width was created and underbrush was removed to increase playability and improve pace of play. The visual corridors are impressive, a real treat. McKinnon’s sons are working with him this summer — a different kind of treat — and they both have some exciting things coming up with golf and school.
Construction across the property was executed by Duininck Golf, a Minnesota-based operation that is also a family-run business, beginning in 1926 as a heavy civil construction company. Residential construction will continue with new cabins that are going to be built at the resort. Modern houses overlooking the Lehman 18 are already available for larger groups.
The questions have shifted from “How are we getting it done?” to “What next?” The immediate response for the courses is how to continue to maintain them as they mature. What’s next includes the CRMC
Championship, a PGA Tour Americas annual event that Cragun’s is hosting for the fourth time.
Playing in August as summer is winding down and bringing with it an estimated $2-3 million for the local economy, this year’s event will be played on the Red and White Nines. In previous editions, no top 500 players were involved, but this year the field boasts 80 of the world’s top 500.
It feels like the changes have been a long time coming but are also now happening at a rapid pace. Like a family, you work together, tackle opportunities one at a time and celebrate your successes. Families also benefit from exceptional leadership, like that of Lehman and McKinnon, and Cragun’s Resort and its Legacy Courses are moving from strength to strength.
Maybe that’s what has the cattails talking.
Lee Carr is a northeast Ohio-based writer and senior Golf Course Industry contributor.
