Brad,
I think the land is just finishing being transfered, with a mid-late summer construction start.

Very nice.....thanks Adam.

Aw, c'mon...  Le Portage isn't that bad!  Granted, it's probably a Doak 3 or 4, but if you're in the area, it's worth a shot.

I liked it better than Bell Bay, but I'm sure that some fans of BB will laugh at me for saying that.

Michael, Hope this helps.

http://www.cabotlinks.com/images/map.jpg

Cary, From what I understand, meeting the head pro at Bell Bay is worth the day. Personally I hope you go there and report back.

Cary - Definately play Bell Bay. I wouldn't chase down Le Portage. I didn't get to Dundee opting for an extra round at Highlands Links so can't comment on that one.

Adam - Who is the GCA at Cabot Links?

I'm scheduled to play Bell Bay...should I bag it?

I hate wasting a day

Nah - you should definitely go.  But make sure you get up to Highlands Links and drive the Cabot Trail around to Cheticamp.

Here's a picture of Le Portage:

I'm playing Highland Links twice

Probably a good move. Bell Bay is a "nice" course, designed by Tom McBroom, with all the amenities, I would certainly go there as well. I have played neither Le Portage nor Dundee, but have talked to those who have gone to Dundee in the past and they are usually not all that impressed. It is fairly hilly and not to everyone's taste. But to each his own.

The Cabot project is one all of us in this part of the world are hoping and praying gets built. The site in Inverness is spectacular.

Bell Bay is not too bad, but is a standard modern course with perhaps one or two nice holes.  #17 is a stunner from the back tees, and (this may surprise some) I like the layout of #15, a no-name par 3 with water left, hitting into the prevailing wind.  Pick your poison here.  To me, Bell Bay is, otherwise, the antithesis of proper bunker location.

If you have time, try to find a game at Lingan -- not far from Sydney airport if you arrive that way.  I really like this course, although it is the result of a mixture of architects.  The old holes (1-5, 10, 11, 17, 18) are fantastic (Malcolm Martin (1913),
Stanley Thompson (1922)); some of the new holes are also quite good: 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15 (C.E. Robinson (1964)).

Dundee is good only if you're a mountain goat or a hiker intent on wonderful views.  Your camera will get more of a workout than your appreciation of the golf course.  (BTW, one of the problems with Bell Bay is the lack of good views where they should really abound.)

Don't forget the possibility of taking the ferry (or the Confederation Bridge) over to PEI for some golf too.  

Personally, I love the culture of Cape Breton, and the awesomeness of the national park.   You can go from the French Acadian culture in Cheticamp to the Scottish to the English.  I even think there's some German in there too.  I'd do a whale watching cruise (there's even a cruise with a CBI fiddeler onboard).  

But Highlands Links is one of the world's gems, and I can't recommend it highly enough.  It's a great walk too if you don't mind a bit of excersise.  

(by the way, the course doesn't have a driving range)

Sounds like Blue Bell is really nothing special.

What about Fox Harbor? I have heard mixed reviews.

What say the Treehouse.

We will also be at PEI for 3 days.

Sounds like Blue Bell is really nothing special.

Bell Bay?
 

What about Fox Harbor? I have heard mixed reviews.

Me too, never played it, but it is expensive and the reports I heard are that it didn't take advantage of its seaside location as well as it could have.

http://www.foxharbr.com/golf/

Want a hidden gem? Try Northumberland Links in Pugwash:

http://www.northumberlandlinks.com/default.htm

About 10 years ago I was a regular visitor to Abercrombie Golf Club in New Glasgow. Haven't been there in years so I don't know how it is today, but it was always a favorite.

http://www.abercrombiegolf.com/

I agree that C.B. could use another quality course, but a short season, flat local economy (especially the tourism sector), and ever-increasing demands for a high level of amenities conspire against it.

Adam,

I'll be sure to let Rod know a few GCA 'ers are in the design, too    

That's funny Jeff, because I was thinking of you when I wrote that. Oh, and Ben, Ran, and now, how can Cary's breast remarks NOT become part of the design? Mae West anyone?

To the King!