* BY CHUCK LENNON * * PHOTOS BY PETER WONG * IL Y AFF A IR Generations of family members and dedicated employees make the destination's golf resorts and golf course shine and grow. A fter a few years cutting his teeth at Grand View Lodge, Eric Peterson was hired in 2011 by Dutch Cragun as general manager of the golf course at Cragun's Resort on Pine Beach Peninsula. Cragun's was founded around 1940 with a lodge and cabins. The resort grew into an extensive complex, adding multiple courses in the 1990s. Now general manager of the property, Peterson and the Craguns have announced a major renovation of the resort and Legacy golf courses. Minnesota native Tom Lehman leads the charge (see sidebar). Eagle's Landing Golf Club in Fort Ripley is a Dahl house. The course is the southern gateway to this tour and known as an excellent warm-up round en route. Josh Dahl is the head pro, and his dad James designed the course, which is an enigmatic par-72 eighteen with a course and slope of 72/117 from the blue tees. Eagle's Landing and Whitefi sh Golf Club in Pequot Lakes are two of fi ve stand-alone courses on this tour. Whitefi sh is a must-see course when staying and playing in the Brainerd area. It's a great test in a captivating atmosphere. When asked, pro and manager Steve Bengston says, " it's amazing that the birch and pine forest has remained intact all these years. " Anyone who has played the course knows the joy of hearing an errant ball knocking around in the woods. Whitefi sh is a shareholder-owned course and Bengston affi rms they've had " plenty of members' kids work at the course over the years. " A bit to the northwest at Crosslake, Crosswoods Golf Course is in its third mngolf.org Spring 2021 MINNESOTAGOLFER 15http://www.mngolf.org