Legacy Courses Certified As World's Largest Audubon Signature Sanctuary.

BRAINERD, MN  SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 ­ Dutch and Irma Cragun, owners of the Legacy Courses at Cragun's, have announced that the Legacy Courses at Cragun's were the subject of a final environmental review by Audubon International of New York.  The newest 18-hole course was certified into the Audubon Signature Sanctuary Program. The result is that all 55 holes of golf at the Legacy have been certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary.  

According to Nancy Richardson, director of the Audubon International Signature Program, that means the Legacy Courses have the largest number of certified holes in the world and the most certified golf holes within one golf complex.

Certification in the Audubon Signature Sanctuary Program is received after passing a stringent environmental evaluation process that reviews three key environmental quality issues:  

#1: Water Quality:  Qualifying courses must maintain water quality that requires the installation of correct drainage for greens and fairways.
#2: Wildlife Habitat Management:  Certification requires that wildlife quarters be maintained by keeping wildlife corridors intact, with little impact.
#3: Wetland Protection:  Wetlands must be preserved, with attention being paid to erosion and water testing.

Official designation of all 55 holes pleases course owners Dutch and Irma Cragun.

"The fact that the Legacy Courses at Cragun's is now the world's largest Audubon Signature Sanctuary is a symbol of our commitment to not only operate a world class golfing facility, but to create a valuable resource for the community, as well," Cragun said.  "The certification means that the Legacy will stand as a place of environmental beauty and wildlife protection for generations to come."

Through the Audubon Signature Program, Audubon International offers comprehensive planning and educational services to help developments protect natural resources, both on and off site.  The goal of the Program is to is to merge wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, resource conservation and environmental improvement with the economic agenda associated with development.  Audubon International believes economic growth and stability, a healthy environment and the social conditions of humans are all linked.

The Legacy Courses at Cragun's offers 18-hole and 19-hole championship courses and a unique, Reversible 18-Hole Course--all designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.  The Legacy golf complex is complete with a 35,000 square foot clubhouse and the Legacy Grille.  The courses will remain open for golf through October.

For more information on the Legacy Courses at Cragun's, contact Tom Kientzle, Director of Golf, or Chuck Klecatsky, Head PGA Pro, at:  1-800-CRAGUNS (1-800-272-4867) or visit www.craguns.com.