Dutch Legacy: One of two great tracks at Cragun's Resort On Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota

Jason Scott Deegan

August 23, 2017

BRAINERD, Minn. - Cragun's Legacy Courses - Dutch Legacy and Bobby's Legacy - share the same land and were designed by the same man, Robert Trent Jones Jr.

It's no wonder the debate about which is better rages on. Like any good employee, Jones probably saved his best work for Dutch Legacy, named in honor of the resort's owner/founder, Dutch Cragun.

Although Bobby's Legacy has more scenic holes hugging Legacy Lake - the closing stretch from 13-18 - the Dutch Legacy is more playable with a few risk-reward shots sprinkled in to spice up the round. You have to think your way around the 6,879-yard layout. Five par 5s and five par 3s add up to a par 72, one short of Bobby's Legacy, a rare par 73.

Wetlands choke the narrow, bottle-necked fairway at the par-4 third and the split fairway of the par-5 16th hole. Another split fairway on no. 11 tempts players to take on a slew of bunkers off the tee. It's a tough decision whether to go for it. Not as tough, however, as choosing which Legacy course to play that day.

Staff rating of the Dutch Legacy: Review by Jason Scott Deegan

Jason Scott Deegan

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,000 courses and written about golf destinations in 20 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.

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