CRMC Championship Returns to the Brainerd Lakes Area for a Third Year
We’re now less than a month from the long-awaited CRMC Championship Golf Tournament presented by Gertens at the breathtaking Cragun’s Resort August 25-September 1. But this event isn’t just for avid golf fans. It’s a week-long celebration of the Brainerd Lakes Area community and some of the best golfers on the links. With plenty of libations, culinary delights, live entertainment, and more, there’s something for everyone to revel in. So, grab your sunscreen, beverage of choice, and polo shirt because it will be a week to remember on the links. The fun kicks off with a cruise on the shimmering waters of Gull Lake, setting the tone for an exciting and entertaining week.
Cruising for Charity is scheduled for Sunday, August 25. Set sail aboard Cragun’s North Star luxury yacht with Minnesota’s most decorated golfer, Tom Lehman, and two-time Stanley Cup winner, Shawn Chambers. A native of Minnesota, Tom Lehman turned pro in 1982. He boasts 12 PGA Tour Champions wins and has 5 PGA Tour wins. Fellow Minnesotan, Shawn Chambers, played for five NHL teams, including the Minnesota North Stars. He won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1994-1995 and the Dallas Stars in 1998-1999. The two-hour cruise departs at 5:00 p.m. Savor the flavors of Napa with our partners from Trinchero Wine as you enjoy live music and culinary delights. This exclusive fundraising event benefits the CRMC Foundation. For more information: https://Cruising24.givesmart.com
On Monday, August 26, tee off at the inaugural Fore! Charity golf tournament sponsored by Optum Insights. The excitement starts at 1 p.m. with an 18-hole best ball scramble on the stunning Cragun’s Legacy Courses – Lehman 18 golf course. Participants will be able to interact with six PGA TOUR Americas professionals as they showcase their skills on six specialty holes, with all proceeds benefiting the CRMC Foundation, supporting critical healthcare needs in the Brainerd Lakes community. For more information or to donate: https://e.givesmart.com/events/CHg/
Also, on Monday and Tuesday, August 27, the pros will play practice rounds at Cragun’s Legacy Courses, about a mile or so from Cragun’s full-service resort, which has been in continuous operation since 1940. Spectators are welcome to check out the practice rounds free of charge. Tuesday evening, pro golfers will tee off in the Aces Over Deuces Fundraiser at the Gravel Pit. This fundraiser supports the CRMC Foundation and is not open to the public.
The Northern Pacific Center Official Pro-Am turns up the heat on Wednesday, August 28. Teams of four players pair up with pros on the front and back 9. With a single-digit handicapper offering their expertise, it’s anyone’s game. This event is sold out, but spectators are welcome to come and watch. The Northern Pacific Center generously covered fees for eventgoers looking to catch all the action on the greens throughout the week. Spectators will also be able to take a swing at CRMC’s Driving Challenge presented by the Brainerd American Legion Post 255, with a chance to sink a hole-in-one for a cash prize of up to $1,000. The CRMC Challenge will take place Wednesday-Sunday. There are free ice cream treats… so even if your ball ends up in the drink, you’re still getting a sweet deal.
Thursday, August 29, is what all the week’s exciting events have led up to. Round #1 of the CRMC Championship gets underway with 156 players in the field, coming from around the globe. This year’s tournament is a PGA Tour of Americas tournament, as the PGA Tour Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada merged into a singular Tour. If you can’t make the tournament in person but still want to be in the know, you can check out the latest standings at crmcchampionship.com. We promise not to tell your boss that while physically you’re at the office, mentally you’re on hole 9. And we can’t forget about the littlest fans. Thursday is family day! Bring the kids along for an exciting opportunity to meet a pro golfer, snap a picture, and get an autograph! It’s a fun-filled day that will create unforgettable memories and inspire young sports enthusiasts. Seniors can also snag a discount on VIP tickets. You can even add a new member to your family at the animal adoption event 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Our nation’s finest are recognized on Friday, August 30, on Military Day. Active, non-active military, and veterans (must have military ID) will have VIP access from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. It’ll be a big day on the course for Round #2 of the CRMC Championship. The playing field is drastically narrowed down Friday with a Professional Cut – meaning the top 60, plus ties, will be the only players to move on to Round #3. That evening, it’s ladies night at the course. Enjoy complimentary wine tasting, drink specials, and live music with Anderson Daniels.
For those moving on to Round #3, the stakes are high on Saturday, August 31, as the pros head into the final two days of the championship. Things are about to get rad once the final putts are sunk. Make that hair as big as possible, wear your high-waisted acid-washed jeans, and grab your friends for the Clow Stamping Co. Saturday Night Jam. Tickets are $25 each. Enjoy a night of the ultimate 80’s glam rock from Minnesota’s own, ‘The Hype,’ as fireworks light up the sky. Tickets are now on sale!
The final round of the CRMC Championship is Sunday, September 1, on the green at hole 18. Come early to watch the championship and enjoy a breakfast buffet with Mimosa and Bloody Mary specials. All proceeds benefit Smiles for Jakes, a suicide prevention movement that spreads positivity and the message that everyone should have hope. As the afternoon wraps up, cheer on the champion as they take home a one-of-a-kind trophy, Paul Bunyan’s Axe. You’ll have the opportunity to celebrate much more than a championship win; you’ll be a part of a check presentation for the CRMC Foundation. Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s Foundation supports critical healthcare initiatives in our area, facilitating the realization of specific projects that otherwise remain beyond reach due to limited resources. It’s important to remember that every dollar contributed has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of patients and their families each year. With an unwavering commitment, the CRMC Foundation directs its focus to addressing the most significant needs of the medical campus. Through fundraising endeavors, it lends support to patient care, secures crucial equipment and cutting-edge technology, advances the quality of patient care, and fosters staff programs and educational efforts that prioritize the well-being of patients and the community.
For more information head to crcmchampionship.com.