The Legacy opened for play in May 1998. Its 15 years is a short time when compared to the 150-year anniversaries now being celebrated by Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, or by the State of Minnesota, for that matter. Nonetheless it is an anniversary that marks the successful completion of a recreational asset enjoyed by golfers in Faribault and across southern Minnesota. Looking back over the years we spent in planning, in building the course, and then setting it up as an ongoing business, it’s easy to be pleased with the result we can see today. The Legacy is a 6500-yard respectable challenge for even serious golfers.
In spending almost ten years on the project my enjoyment comes from reminders not only of how interesting and complex the work was, but also of the many, many people who participated enthusiastically in making it happen.
Serious consideration for developing the course and the housing subdivisions around it began in earnest in early 1993. Yet it was almost four years before feasibility studies, course design, funding and contractor selection all fell into place, and a final “go” decision was made. Ground was broken officially on October 11, 1996, and grading was begun on the 217-acre site that would ultimately be The Legacy course and six subdivisions, the first two being The Highlands at the Legacy along Newhall drive and The Woods at The Legacy on Shumway Avenue.
