Cabot Links Opens

[Robert Thompson]

Tom: I've been going for six years, often to cover stories on the site and its economic potential for the region. And yes, I've been a guest of tourism on occasion, but I've gone plenty of times on behalf of magazines to write about the area and the possibilities of the course.

 

Don:

Not to be too much of a skeptic -- since I know Rod Whitman is capable of great things -- but your introductions to these stories are a bit disconcerting.  Were any of these reviews written by people who weren't paid by the government to go up there and write them?

[Steve Lang]

  It does appear that human beings are indeed writing these reviews and their perspectives are being communicated..  has a bandon nerve been touched?

... who will be doing the 2nd course?

I imagine most will not need the urgings of glossy PR/Marketing propaganda to venture to Nova Scotia.. a little local knowledge is sufficient, and these reviews easily accomplish that, regardless of origin.

[Robert Thompson]

Bill Coore has been tapped for the second course, should it happen.

It does appear that human beings are indeed writing these reviews and their perspectives are being communicated..  has a bandon nerve been touched?

... who will be doing the 2nd course?

I imagine most will not need the urgings of glossy PR/Marketing propaganda to venture to Nova Scotia.. a little local knowledge is sufficient, and these reviews easily accomplish that, regardless of origin.

[Jeff_Mingay]

All of these excellent pre-opening reviews are fantastic. But it'll be even more interesting to see Cabot written about in the same light 10, 20, 30, even 50 years (and more) from now. I know Rod feels the same.

[Don Hyslop]

Don:

Not to be too much of a skeptic -- since I know Rod Whitman is capable of great things -- but your introductions to these stories are a bit disconcerting.  Were any of these reviews written by people who weren't paid by the government to go up there and write them?

I would hope that these writers would all be intellectually honest in their reporting. I also have the utmost repsect for Robert's views.Hopefully Tom you might be able to visit Cape Breton next year and form your own opinion and while your there check out Ian's work on Highland Links. Would love to have you visit Nova Scotia and see for yourself.

[Germain Pepin]

I am planning a trip in Nova Scotia for next summer to play golf: Highland Links and Cabot Links certainly. Do we know the official opening date for Cabot links?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Germain,

I'm pretty sure it's Canada Day, July 1.

[Adam Clayman]

Jeff, Ben's on Vaca right now, but, I thought I saw June 29th.

[Howard Riefs]

Jeff, Ben's on Vaca right now, but, I thought I saw June 29th.

That's correct, according to the website (http://cabotlinks.com/):

We look forward to welcoming everyone back as we get ready to open all 18 holes on June 29th, 2012.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Shows how much I know

[Howard Riefs]

Much anticipation for Cabot Links. A couple recent preview articles:

Toronto Star (by our own Robert Thompson):
http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/2012golfguide/article/1154000--a-legend-in-the-making

Globe & Mail:
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/golf-course-brings-hope-and-jobs-to-cape-breton-community/article2387915/?service=mobile

[Ronald Montesano]

On one hand, Mr. Keiser is involved with both projects (Bandon and Cabot)

On the other hand, writers were brought up by the government to write pieces about a golf course(s) development whose potential economic impact reaches Lazarus status

On one foot, a prominent golf course architect with no vested interest in the property asks a question

On the other foot, the journalist responds honestly

I REALLY want to see a piece that compares these two downtrodden areas (Bandon and Inverness) prior to and after the arrival of these developments. When casinos and their courses arrive, we often read the negative press detailing profits remaining within the native community and not being dispersed through surrounding communities. How has Bandon been affected and can we project something similar for Inverness, or will Canada's political/economic structure mandate a different result?

[Tom_Doak]

I would hope that these writers would all be intellectually honest in their reporting. I also have the utmost repsect for Robert's views.Hopefully Tom you might be able to visit Cape Breton next year and form your own opinion and while your there check out Ian's work on Highland Links. Would love to have you visit Nova Scotia and see for yourself.

Well, I would love to get up there and see the course this summer, but it appears unlikely at this point.  I've got more commitments between now and September than I know what to do with.

[Robert Thompson]

Ron: I wrote this four years ago, but it gives you a sense of what's at stake economically:

http://www.financialpost.com/magazine/Away+Prize/610777/story.html

[Dan Herrmann]

I can't wait to get up there. 

[Don Hyslop]

The new website offers a nice tour of the 18 holes. Check it out.
http://cabotlinks.com/golf/hole-by-hole-tour

Also check out the ads for the course on the Masters telecast.

[Tom_Doak]

I just looked through the hole by hole tour and noticed it seemed like there were a lot of par-3's -- then discovered that par on the back side is 33, with four par-3's and a single par-5.  That's pretty unusual ... I can't think of another course off the top of my head with the same makeup.

[Adam Clayman]

I just looked through the hole by hole tour and noticed it seemed like there were a lot of par-3's -- then discovered that par on the back side is 33, with four par-3's and a single par-5.  That's pretty unusual ... I can't think of another course off the top of my head with the same makeup.

Tom, don't you think unique is a good thing?

[Matt Kardash]

I just looked through the hole by hole tour and noticed it seemed like there were a lot of par-3's -- then discovered that par on the back side is 33, with four par-3's and a single par-5.  That's pretty unusual ... I can't think of another course off the top of my head with the same makeup.

Tom, don't you think unique is a good thing?

I don't think he passed any sort of judgement either way. Unique is only good if the holes are good.

[Adam Clayman]

I just looked through the hole by hole tour and noticed it seemed like there were a lot of par-3's -- then discovered that par on the back side is 33, with four par-3's and a single par-5.  That's pretty unusual ... I can't think of another course off the top of my head with the same makeup.

Tom, don't you think unique is a good thing?

I don't think he passed any sort of judgement either way. Unique is only good if the holes are good.

Matt, neither did I.  If Tom can't think of any course with this config, it sounds like a good thing to me.

[Mark Pearce]

I just looked through the hole by hole tour and noticed it seemed like there were a lot of par-3's -- then discovered that par on the back side is 33, with four par-3's and a single par-5.  That's pretty unusual ... I can't think of another course off the top of my head with the same makeup.

The back 9 at Crail Balcomie (off the yellow tees, from where the 11th is a par 4).

[Jeff_Mingay]

I just looked through the hole by hole tour and noticed it seemed like there were a lot of par-3's -- then discovered that par on the back side is 33, with four par-3's and a single par-5.  That's pretty unusual ... I can't think of another course off the top of my head with the same makeup.

Tom,

The layout of the course offers a number of sequencing options. This is the third considered since construction began. The original was:

5-3-4-4-3-4-3-5-4--35
4-3-4-4-3-5-4-5-4--36---71