INVERNESS, N.S. — The Cabot model has added a standard Scottish course to its rising assemblage of world-class vacation spot golf resorts.
The most recent addition to the Cabot Group, which established its flagship resort on Cape Breton Island simply 10 years in the past, is the Fortress Stuart Golf Hyperlinks. The course, quickly to be often called Cabot Highlands, is positioned on the North Beach simply 5 kilometres from the town of Inverness and about 20 km from the well-known lake of the identical title.
The course, which has hosted 4 Scottish Opens since its institution in 2009, just lately made Golf Digest’s record of the World’s 100 Best Golf Programs. It will get its title from the 400-year-old Fortress Stuart that overlooks the course and the physique of water often called the Moray Firth.
In some ways, the Fortress Stuart course bears a detailed resemblance to its sister programs, the Cabot Hyperlinks and Cabot Cliffs, within the west Cape Breton neighborhood of Inverness. Not solely are they each positioned in same-named areas however additionally they look alike with their seaside topography and conventional hyperlinks format.
And now each are owned by the rapidly-expanding Cabot Group.
A superb match
Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cabot’s chief govt officer and co-founder, stated the group’s newest acquisition will serve to additional strengthen the model’s title and develop its popularity.
“Fortress Stuart has been thought of a benchmark of remarkable Scottish golf because it first opened 13 years in the past and we’re honoured to be a steward of the land and to hold the unique imaginative and prescient for the property ahead,” he stated.
“Our aim is to create unforgettable recollections in magical locations, and there are few locations on the planet extra awe-inspiring than the Scottish Highlands.”
With that stated, Cowan-Dewar reiterated that he’ll all the time think about Cabot Cape Breton to be the Cabot model’s flagship operation.
“Cabot Cape Breton is the eponymous authentic and can all the time be so,” he stated.
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Cabot Cape Breton normal supervisor Matt Mackenzie just lately signed on with Cabot after former GM Andrew Alkenbrack took on new duties with Cabot Group’s increasing actual property arm. Mackenzie beforehand labored at Fairmount Chateau Whistler golf course, Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa/Cape Breton Highlands Hyperlinks and the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrew’s N.B., the place he spent six years as normal supervisor. He is aware of what it takes to maintain a top-notch resort working at and past its anticipated ranges of service.
“As the unique Cabot property, we take nice satisfaction in our craft, from constructing distinctive golf programs to delivering heat, personalized service and growing luxurious residential choices that really feel like house,” stated Mackenzie.
“The cultures of Cabot and Fortress Stuart are complementary in each manner. We’re dedicated to offering golfers with enjoyable and pleasing programs in gorgeous places paired with customized, genuine hospitality.”
The Cabot model
Cabot Highlands is the fifth resort both acquired or established by the Cabot Group. Its first course, Cabot Hyperlinks, opened in 2012 and was adopted 4 years later by the adjoining Cabot Cliffs. Each tracks are fixtures on the media’s high course on the planet lists. The most recent Golf Digest record ranks Cabot Cliffs as No. 10, whereas Cabot Hyperlinks got here in at No. 39.
In 2020, Cabot introduced plans to increase its model to new locations. Within the Caribbean, Cabot St. Lucia, which is able to embody a brand new golf course and luxurious residences, is anticipated to open later this 12 months, whereas a brand new course known as Cabot Revelstoke, positioned on the banks of the Columbia River in British Columbia’s mountainous inside, is anticipated to open in 2024.
And the Cabot enlargement is much from over because the possession group plans to construct a second course on the Cabot Highlands/Fortress Stuart resort with building slated to begin in 2023 with an estimated completion date in 2024.
The brand new course is being designed by famend American golf architect Tom Doak, whose portfolio consists of programs on the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, Barnbougie Dunes in Tasmania, Australia, and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand,
“I’m thrilled to associate with Ben Cowan-Dewar and the Cabot staff,” stated Doak, who is thought for his minimalist method to golf course design.
“We now have been trying to find the right vacation spot for years. Our aim is to create a distinctly Scottish golf expertise that appeals to gamers in any respect ranges with an genuine links-style course that places the golf holes entrance and heart.”
Cabot didn’t disclose the value paid for the Fortress Stuart Golf Hyperlinks nor the anticipated price to assemble the resort’s second course.
As is the case with all Cabot resorts, an providing of upscale actual property alternatives may also mark the Scottish acquisition. The property may also function retail outlets, eating places and communal gathering factors. Together with world-class golf, the Cabot model emphasizes unparalleled shopper service, gorgeous vistas and an array of close by points of interest to reinforce the customer expertise.
For his half, Cowan-Dewar stated he couldn’t be extra happy about each the Fortress Stuart Golf Hyperlinks acquisition and concerning the development of the Cabot model over the previous decade.
“We had been by no means accused of dreaming small, however I believe the success exceeded even our largest ambitions,” he stated.
“For now, we’ll proceed to concentrate on exceptional places the place we may help create magical recollections. Hopefully, there are just a few extra particular spots on the market, however we love the places we get to work in in the present day.”