Let's start with first: Ruttger's was the first resort in Minnesota to have its own golf course, building a nine-hole track in 1921. It used to be called the Lodge Nine before being renamed Alec's Nine in 1998 in memory of Alec Ruttger, whose parents Joseph and Josephine established the resort in 1898.

Next is last ­ as in the last hole on the championship Lakes Course, which started in 1986 with nine holes and grew into a strikingly ascetic and challenging 18-hole layout by 1992. No. 18, a 233-yard, par-3 test over a corner of Bass Lake from the back tee, rates among the most-demanding finishing holes in the state. Certainly, golfers can play it safe by playing to the shorter bail-out area left of the green. But what golfer wants to wind up a delightful round of golf by not facing the ultimate challenge? Without question, acclaimed Minnesota golf architect Joel Goldstrand saved the best for last on the Lakes Course.

Now for that everything in between: Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge has everything golfers and all resort guests want or need, from several types of accommodations to some of the finest resort meals anywhere to other activities such as tennis, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing and a highly acclaimed youth program. Indeed, Ruttger's has something for everyone.

When Joe and Josie Ruttger started the resort 106 years ago, most of the guests were fishermen. Under son Alec, grandson Jack Ruttger and great-grandson Chris Ruttger, the resort kept growing and expanding to include more and more activities for an ever-expanding base of guests.

Is it any wonder Minnesota's oldest resort to be owned and operated by one family continues to be among the state¹s finest? It is because of the love, passion and vision of the Ruttger family.

Jack Ruttger is a fine and avid tennis player. Still, he saw the growth in golf and realized it was imperative to add a championship course for his guests to augment the fun and friendly Alec's Nine, a 2,372-yard, par-34 gem that requires pinpoint approach shots to its devilish greens.

Goldstrand was brought in and expanded the 1986 nine-hole course into a 6,626-yard test on 100 acres through the woods, up and down the rolling terrain and around Goose and Bass lakes. Water comes into play on 10 of the 18 holes

And ever since it opened for 18-hole play in 1992, Ruttger's has been tweaking the Lakes Course to keep making it better and better and more and more golfer friendly.
For example, the first and 10th holes were revamped to make them more playable yet challenging, and a new 11th hole was opened in 2003.

"We¹ve been able to continue improving the course without having to interfere with people playing, like with the 11th hole," said Bill Laimer, Ruttger's director of golf. "We kept the old 11th hole so golfers still had 18 holes. And we've still kept it as a 19th hole so if we have to redo another hole golfers always will have 18 holes to play."

The Lakes Course also is one of the best values on the Brainerd Golf Trail, with a weekday greens fee of $44 and a weekend (Friday through Sunday) rate of $49 (motorized carts are extra).

Before you walk or ride your way to that dramatic 18th hole with its carry over Bass Lake, you'll marvel at the incredible north-woods experience from start to finish on the Lakes Course.

"Once you leave the first hole, all you see is woods and lakes. There are no homes, no cabins, no roads and cars ­ just a natural outdoors experience," Laimer said. "In the early mornings, it seems like the deer are in charge on the course. And there's a black bear out there somewhere, too, but he leaves golfers alone!"

That's good because golfers face enough of a bear when they reach that 18th hole.

For information on golf rates and packages at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, look elsewhere on www.brainerdgolftrail.com or call the resort at 1-800-450-4545.