The Cabot Collection, better known as simply Cabot, is doing its best to set the bar internationally with destination golf. What seems to be an overnight success has been decades in the making.
Ben Cowan-Dewar has been involved with golf and golf travel since an early age. In 2004, the portfolio stood at nil but he had a great site and a dream to create Canada's first true links as a world-class golf destination. A promising start could have been derailed by the global recession in 2008, but with dozers on site and with the backing of Mike Kieser, it was full steam ahead. Enter Cabot Cape Breton - Cabot Links.
Fast forward to 2015, a second Coore & Crenshaw-designed golf course opened to world acclaim and Cabot Cape Breton now has two Top World Top 100 courses anchoring its first golf destination in the Cabot portfolio. Where most would be content and call it done - it would appear Cabot Cape Breton was just beginning...
The destination in New Scotland (Nova Scotia) that put Canadian golf back on the map. In recent years, the shine has come off Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodge but Canada now has two dream destinations on the opposite ends of the vast country. What Stanley Thompson did in the Rockies 100 years ago has been replicated in Nova Scotia on proper links land.
With the most coastline of any country in the world, it's amazing to think that Canada's first true links appeared in 2012 with Rod Whitman's Cabot Links. So authentic is the links, one could be forgiven for confusing this Inverness with the other, better-known one… The golf course is less 'instagrammable' than its younger sibling but for many, it is equal in quality.
Image Courtesy Cabot Collection Rob Romard
Cabot Cliffs is the second 18-hole layout by the legendary duo Coore and Crenshaw. Three par 3's, three par 4's and three par 5's on each nine, traverse through woodlands, wetlands and meadows. Some laud it as the best public course in North America, whilst others claim Cabot Links to be the superior of the two… Whenever you enter into the discussion as to the best 36-hole venue on the planet alongside Royal Melbourne, Sunningdale, and Winged Foot, you've done something right.
Image Courtesy Cabot Collection Matt Hahn
The Nest is a 10-hole par 3 course that ranges from 705 yards to 1304 yards. Individual holes range from 95 yards to 232 yards… the perfect opening round to knock off the rust or cobwebs after the journey to the golfer's paradise. Alternatively, The Nest is the perfect post-Cabot Links or Cabot Cliffs boozer round.
Photo Courtesy Cabot Collection
Point Hardy Golf Club has made waves… with parallels being drawn to Cabot Cliffs but 'on steroids'. The site itself is severe and the routing by Coore & Crenshaw is a marvel. The 375-acre site has 300 building plots and current listings start from $2M USD.
The golf course is golf cart mandatory and the par 71 golf course plays to 6651 yards from the tips. If you consider that a disappointment, you've probably missed the point. That being said, Cabot St Lucia Point Hardy Golf Club isn't a pushover… the topography and elements will be sure to offer a test that isn't reliant upon yardage.
It's early doors on a severe site with the ultimate aim of selling ultra-high-end real estate to a privileged few. Is it the next Cypress Point? We will have to wait and see - and certainly holes 6 to 9 and 14 to 18 will help. For the golfing purist, however, not being able to walk may just make it one too many hills to climb to reach those heights.
Cabot's foray into the American market came in Florida. The plan? Buy the 11th-best Tom Fazio-designed golf course in the state of Florida and turn it into Karoo, Roost, The Squeeze and The Wedge. The familiar resort, accommodation, and real estate options are on offer.
A bit of a departure from Rod Whitman and Bill Coore, the nod was given to Kyle Franz to create the 7500-yard 18-hole layout in a true figure-of-8 layout.
Photo Courtesy Cabot Collection Matt Majka
The second 18-hole layout is a collaborative effort from Ben Cowan-Dewar, Mike Nuzzo, Kyle Franz, Ran Morrisett, and Rod Whitman. The greens are from Cabot constant Rod Whitman.
Photo Courtesy Cabot Collection Carolina Pines
The 9 or 10-hole par 38, 2957-yard course with a focus on inspiration from the world's best short par 4's. The Squeeze was designed by Mike Nuzzo.
Photo Courtesy Cabot Collection Jeff Marsh
The diminutive 1000-yard, 11-hole par 3 course with night lights...
Photo Courtessy Cabot Collection Carolina Pines
Mountain golf is a bit of a conundrum. The vistas and backdrop are rivalled only by the magnificence of the sea. Where rather mundane links land can still offer compelling golf, pulling off truly superb mountain golf, even with the benefit of awe-inspiring vistas, has been attained by only a few. Notable examples are Jasper Park Lodge and Banff Springs. Tom Doak's Rock Creek Cattle Company might also be cited at a push. Can Rod Whitman pull it off at Cabot Revelstoke Cabot Pacific? We're keen to find out in 2026.
Combining skiing in the winter and golf in the summer, membership will have its perks. With a new clubhouse and six residences, the familiar real estate options are ever-present. Golf so good you don't want to leave… invest and you won't have to.
Image Courtesy Cabot Collection
Not a Cabot new build but rather, an acquisition. Having two world-class links golf courses in Inverness by Rod Whitman and Bill Coore wasn't enough… what you need is two more in the other Inverness by Gil Hanse and Tom Doak. Cabot Highlands is first out of the gate with the other highly-anticipated unofficial 36-hole destination of Coul Links and Royal Dornoch potentially coming to fruition…
Photo Courtesy Cabot Highlands
The original 18-hole design, Castle Stuart, was laid out by Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinnen with Chris Haspell responsible for much of the iconic bunkering for which it is now renowned.
Photo Courtesy Cabot Collection
Old Petty is very intriguing. Gil Hanse assisted Mark Parsinen in laying out 18 holes at Castle Stuart on the back of his success at Kingsbarns. The bar, in essence, has been set. Tom Doak is too good and too accomplished to worry about what anyone else is doing, even at the same property. You'd have to admit though, he won't want to be outdone by some friendly rivalry. With work ongoing (led by Clyde Johnson), we won't have to wait long to see the course in 2025…
Image Courtesy Cabot Collection
The latest acquisition of the Cabot Collection is Cabot Bordeaux. When the formula has worked this well, why fix what's not broken? The 36-hole resort in the north of France is from some familiar faces: Bill Coore & Rod Whitman. The familiar ingredients exist with resort trappings and real estate.
Chateaux is the third-ever solo golf course designed by Bill Coore in France in 1989. His first was Rockport CC in 1984 and his second, King's Crossing Golf & CC from 1986 no longer exists. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw would have their big breakthrough at Sandhills in Mullen, Nebraska, USA in 1995. Early work from Bill Coore might be considered a sleeper and Cabot sees untapped potential.
Photo Courtesy Cabot Collection Cookie Jar Golf
Rod Whitman, a familiar face in the Cabot portfolio, was the project manager for Bill Coore at Chateaux. He returned a few years later to lay out 18 holes which is now known as Les Vignes. Early work from big names in the architecture game can represent value. Tom Doak recently returned to High Pointe to reignite the fire from his early years… what happens next is Cabot Bordeaux is yet to be seen.
On September 9, 2024, it was announced Cabot added Lofoten Links to its growing portfolio. The golf course is currently rated the best in Norway, fourth in Europe and 96th in the world.
Photo Courtesy Jacob Sjoman
Lofoten Links is difficult to get to even with private charters and helicopters. Virtually all who visit are blown away by what they see and experience. More than one course is the current formula for these remote destinations so we wait to see what will come of Lofoten Links.
World-class golf is the obvious foundation at the heart of everything Cabot does. What is a golf destination without accommodation and equivalent amenities? With most designations offering 36 holes or more, you won't make the trip to play just 18. Offering compelling golf to travelling golfers means meals and overnight occupancy, a lucrative endeavour if you can get it right.
If you enjoyed your visit that much, you may just be tempted by the real estate brochure before you go. Most visitors will have a second home already and are probably more than able to stretch to add a third.
Attract them with golf, give them the stay of their life, and convince them they never have to leave… pretty simple in concept but difficult to deliver unless, it seems, your Cabot.
Great golf destinations have, well great golf. What sets a golf destination apart is the details that imperceptibly make the difference.
They first appeared at Cabot Cliffs and have become a staple of Cabot properties throughout the portfolio. More popular in St Lucia than Scotland in December, they are synonymous with the Cabot experience.
The best sound has been borrowed from the best golf clubs in Japan. The gong is a reminder of the Cabot difference 18 times a round.
Traditions can be overrated… no two Cabot flags are the same. While the formula appears to be rinse and repeat, the pin flags most certainly are not.
IYKYK - small parcels of goodness can be found at Pine Valley and Old Elm. The lesson? Even at the most prestigious sites, cookies don't go amiss. Each Cabot Cookie is prepared as a reflection of the local area. Whether it be Cacao Cabot Cookies in St Lucia or Scottish Shortbread Cabot Cookies at Cabot Highlands, it's the little things that make a big difference at Cabot…
