Lakes Area Golf Calls it a Season
Located about twenty miles east of Stern Rubber, is the Brainerd Lakes area, which is home to many recreational activities, including fishing, biking, boating, skiing, hunting, and some of the best golf in the country.  Golf Digest even wrote that the Brainerd area is “one of the top golf destinations in the world.”  With winter soon approaching, many of these great courses are closing for the season, but there is still plenty of opportunity to play them in the future.
Stretching from Deacons Lodge in Breezy Point, to the sixty three holes at Maddens Resort on the east side of Gull Lake, is what is known as the Brainerd golf trail.   Along the trail is a wide spread of great golf, including the Legacy Courses at Craguns, Grandview Lodge, and Breezy Point Resort.
The trail begins on the southeast side of Gull Lake, which is home to Maddens and Craguns resorts.  Maddens Resort, which is home to four courses, totaling sixty three holes, is spread throughout the East Gull Lake area.  Located at the main lodge, is a family orientated Social Nine, that offers a unique relaxing setting that is a true test for any players game.   Also located on the same property as the social nine, is the historic Pine Beach East course.  Built in 1929 by Scottish designer James Dalgelish, the East course is a challenging but score able par 72.  Spanning only 6,100 yards, the course has it unusual twists and turns, as most courses do, including a 620 yard par 6, several drivable par 4’s, and plenty of small challenging greens, that all come together to offer a great on-course experience.  Now along with these two courses located at the lodge, less than a mile from them is the shot makers delight, Pine Beach West course.  Although the West course seems very score able, the 5,100 yard par 67 layout demands  every shot in a player’s bag.  Featuring tight wooded fairways, and small true greens, the opportunities to go low, are not as easy as one may think.  With these three courses being masterpieces of their own, Maddens is also home to the highly awarded Classic.  The Classic, which was designed by course superintendent Scott Hoffmann, was created to give every player a unique tour quality experience.  Given a five star rating by Golf Digest, and currently ranked the 63rd public golf course in the country.  The Classic offers stunning views, challenging shots, amazing course quality and all around a “Classic” golf experience that rounds off the other great courses located at Maddens Resort.
A few miles down the golf trail from Maddens, is Cragun’s Resort.  Craguns which is home to the 45 holes of the Legacy Courses, offers golfers an amazing experience.  Located on one piece of stunning property, is 36 holes of championship golf, a nine hole reversible par 3 course, top notch practice facility, and stunning club house.  The first unique aspect of the Legacy, is its reversible par 3 course.  This course, much like the social nine at Maddens, is intended to appeal to families and kids, but is also a challenge for any player.  Yet what is unique about the par 3 at the Legacy, is that is has 18 sets of tees and can be played either starting on one and playing to nine, or the other way around depending on the day.  Along with the par three course, the Legacy is also home to the Bobby’s and Dutch courses.  Both are 18 hole championship courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and are sure to test any players game, while also offering stunning views, and a great experience.  Both the Dutch and Bobby’s courses were ranked by Golf Digest in 2009, awarding the Dutch course with 5 stars, and Bobby’s with 4.5.  The course is also home to master teaching professional and Golf Digest ranked number 4 teaching pro in Minnesota, Chris Foley.