Lehman 18 Makes Grand Debut After Extensive Renovation

Renovation of Dutch Red Nine Currently Underway

By Brian Weis

Brainerd, MN (July 24, 2023) - Following a multi-million-dollar renovation by Minnesota native and PGA professional golfer Tom Lehman, the Lehman 18 made its grand debut today at Cragun's Resort with an official teeing off ceremony.

Lehman was serenaded on the first tee by the University of Minnesota Band Alumni, Cragun's Resort owner Dutch Cragun, Eric Peterson, General Manager, Jack Wawro, Director of Golf, and Matt McKinnon, Director of Golf Course Maintenance. Tee off footage on this link.

"Having grown up 90 minutes from here, it's great to return to be a part of this resort's golf legacy," said Lehman, a Minnesota native who attended the University of Minnesota.

Open for its first full golf season, the course layout moves perfectly through a 1000-acre wooded sanctuary working its way around Stephens Lake and through many of the other natural wetlands, a true Minnesota backdrop. Dramatic strategic and aesthetic changes occurred on every hole, with lake and forest views in abundance throughout.

Lehman cited the demanding, 627-yard par 5 fourth hole among his favorites, with the summer's prevailing wind almost always at the golfer's back, allowing the chance to think about getting home in two shots and a chance at eagle. Avoiding a trio of fairway bunkers guarding the right side of the fairway is key off the tee, he explained. The green is protected by a massive bunker in front that will need to be avoided.

On the back nine, from the 16th hole through the close, spectacular views of the lake beckon at every hole.

The Dutch Course, which annually hosts the PGA TOUR Canada's CRMC Championship presented by Gertens, debuted its renovated Blue Nine earlier this summer. The Championship layout (Blue and White Nines) stretches to 7001 yards and plays to par 70. The Red Nine is currently closed for renovation by Lehman Design Group and will reopen in 2024.

Cragun's Resort is located on beautiful Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota, and offers a wide array of outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups, including a mile-long sandy beach, biking, hiking trails, and watersports.

For additional information or to reserve a tee time, access the website at www.craguns.com.

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Revised: 07/25/2023 - Article Viewed 1,141 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.