Recent news on Cabot Links, Nova Scotia

[Bill_McBride]

  Let us all support the opening of this course without expecting a free ride.


     Anthony

Just curious, where have you had "a free ride?"

******

For anyone who has seen this site, what is the elevation change between the beach and the top of the property?  It is really spectacular.  With Highland Links a reasonable drive away, what a venue for a week's trip!

[Garland Bayley]

  Let us all support the opening of this course without expecting a free ride.


     Anthony

Just curious, where have you had "a free ride?"

******

For anyone who has seen this site, what is the elevation change between the beach and the top of the property?  It is really spectacular.  With Highland Links a reasonable drive away, what a venue for a week's trip!

Bill,

You mean to tell me you haven't been taking advantage of the free rides available here? And here we all thought you were one of the people in the Know!

Anthony
 

[Dan Herrmann]

Bill, just don't make that Cabot Trail drive from Cabot Links to Highland Links after dark.  Honestly, it was one of the scariest drives I've ever done - moose, cliffs, and ocean far below!

[Don Hyslop]

Here is a link to another photo of one of the holes under construction.

http://wiki.worldflicks.org/cabot_links.html#coords=(46.235849, -61.300905)&z=16

For some reason it does not appear at first but if you click the top right image where it links to McLeod's Beach you will see two photos of an ocean side hole.

[Robert Thompson]

Don -- yep, that was my article from last year. It was more about what will happen to the town if Cabot moves forward. Surprisingly Ben and Ran very rarely ever comment on Cabot on this site. Odd, but clearly their choice.

The photo indicates the project is going forward and Rod Whitman spoke to me about it a few weeks back. It isn't plowing forward, but is moving ahead. Apparently a 2011 opening is in site, though I wonder about that date, since this has been pushed back continually for the past few years.

The site is great, and Keiser purchased a second piece of property north of the site a while back. I assume he's committed to the project (Ben could surely clarify), but there was talk it had stalled over the winter and then was given a shock and came back to life. Keiser was there a couple of months ago...

[Adam Clayman]

Robert, It is not odd that Ben and Ran have chosen not to comment, yet.

It's got to be extremely frustrating to deal with all these questions before it's even appropriate to ask them. Look at how many projects get announced early and how many of those never even open. Take the Nebraska National course as an example. The principle thinks it's a grand idea to announce how "he" is going to build a course that will be mentioned in the same breath as Sand Hills, Ballyneal and Dismal river. To the uninitiated eye that might seem like an appetite being wetted. To those who have been around this block a few times, it comes off as bullshit hyperbole. Guess what? It turned out to be Bullshit hype. I'll apologize now if that same principle is still the one going through with that project, but I suspect not. I hope my analogy is appropriate because I know Ben and Ran do not want to come off as "that" guy.


The fact that "we" know about this project is a privilege. Clearly, some on this board have no concept of all the little things that it takes to pull something like this off, and/or, have absolutely no patience.

To all, Be patient and ye shall be rewarded.

However, I for one would like Anthony to explain his comment further. It is quite curious.

Garland, Feel free to answer for him.
 

[Robert Thompson]

Adam: I disagree. Ben has been very public about the course since he launched the project a number of years back. When nothing happens and nothing is said, well, it is easy for people to jump to conclusions. How hard is it to clarify where things are at?

[Philippe Binette]

Cabot Links..


the course is done, all grassed and playable, it's just that the people of Inverness wants to keep the course for themselves

[Bill_McBride]

Robert, It is not odd that Ben and Ran have chosen not to comment, yet.

It's got to be extremely frustrating to deal with all these questions before it's even appropriate to ask them. Look at how many projects get announced early and how many of those never even open. Take the Nebraska National course as an example. The principle thinks it's a grand idea to announce how "he" is going to build a course that will be mentioned in the same breath as Sand Hills, Ballyneal and Dismal river. To the uninitiated eye that might seem like an appetite being wetted. To those who have been around this block a few times, it comes off as bullshit hyperbole. Guess what? It turned out to be Bullshit hype. I'll apologize now if that same principle is still the one going through with that project, but I suspect not. I hope my analogy is appropriate because I know Ben and Ran do not want to come off as "that" guy.


The fact that "we" know about this project is a privilege. Clearly, some on this board have no concept of all the little things that it takes to pull something like this off, and/or, have absolutely no patience.

To all, Be patient and ye shall be rewarded.

This reminds me of the Harmony Club on Lake Oconee near Cuscowilla, another project that didn't come off. 

[Adam Clayman]

Robert.I'm not sure what you disagree with, but, It makes sense to me that when Ben was in the financial gathering phase he would create some buzz. But now that it's been secured and knowing how long the process can be continuing the buzz is likely counter productive. I feel that way because of how long other announced projects here on GCA, took to come to fruition. Then when asked what took so long or why the delay the reaction was one of frustration.

[Adam_Messix]

Adam C--

You are correct that the powers behind Cabot Links are wise to keep things as quiet as possible.  As much as I would love to see a conceptual/routing plan and other information about the course, all it would do is invite criticism and the place would lose some of it's fire IMHO.  The mystery of it will be some the draw. 

[Kalen Braley]

Adam,

Do you feel all the buzz and speculation that arose over Old Mac over the last couple of years has been bad for the course?  If anything I think its only helped that much more...not that it really needed it with its location.  I mean the entire course still is months away from being officially open and I'm sure its already made many folks top 10 list!!   

[Robert Thompson]

Adam: Maybe it is just me -- since I've written three or four features and columns on the project. There were significant rumblings that the project had fallen through last fall through the winter. Ben and Ran do not need to say anything -- you're right -- but saying "we're still on track," isn't a bad thing, now is it? Look at the number of projects that are discussed on here as dead or dying when that hasn't been the case -- why not set the record straight?

I don't see this as hype. Look at the website -- the photo of the raw property is hype enough. All I'm talking about is straight, unfiltered information.

[Adam Clayman]

Kalen, Apples to oranges. Bandon offers golf already and OM is partially playable. The fact that we here have been privy to most of the info since before it's announcement is not marketing buzz. That massive PR machine thats been saluted is more along the lines of a Smart car engine. 1 liter 3 cylinders.

Robert, I was unaware of serious rumblings or that the project might fall through. Last fall was the precipice for all global markets and it's easy to see how some might've speculated that the project was on hold, but, I recall hearing and being impressed how Mr. Keiser was not panicking on any of his projects and they were all in go mode.

 I know Ben and Ran are not in hiding, so,  should you call them and ask them, I'm fairly certain they would fill you in, off the record. But, publicly saying anything before their ducks are in a row results in consequences they'd rather not deal with. i.e. Someone calling to make a tee time.

[Adam_F_Collins]

I sent Ben an email to let him know there was a thread on the subject here. He responded, saying that he was traveling and that he hoped to provide an update on the project when he returns.

[Jason Hines]

Just an update on the no longer Nebraska National, Awarii Dunes.

http://www.kearneyhub.com/sports/local/article_3b93b012-93f5-11de-9ff2-001cc4c002e0.html

[Adam Clayman]

Jason, Thanks for that. What a strange article indeed. Journalism ain't what it use to be, or, in this case NOT how Mr. Thompson approaches it. 

[Jason Hines]

I would agree, hope to get to Kearney the first weekend in October and would not mind stopping by to see how things are going.  If that is a recent picture of Jim, than they have at least mowed down the fairways on the new 9 across the road.  Their website needs updating as well.

http://awa.morphasite.com/

Sorry to hijack the thread….

Previous update...

http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_2cc1aba7-c51f-503d-bf58-54c7c8aac05a.html

[Jim Nugent]

If Cabot's owners are unsure whether the course will open, they are wise to keep silent now.

Otherwise, I agree with Kalen, and believe it is apples to apples.  Good p.r. will only help. 

[Adam Clayman]

Jim. Why do you feel that way? Are you in the golf marketing business? There's no if's about it. The rumor monger will take your question and completely fall into the ignorant abyss.

[Eric Smith]

Robert, It is not odd that Ben and Ran have chosen not to comment, yet.

It's got to be extremely frustrating to deal with all these questions before it's even appropriate to ask them. Look at how many projects get announced early and how many of those never even open. Take the Nebraska National course as an example. The principle thinks it's a grand idea to announce how "he" is going to build a course that will be mentioned in the same breath as Sand Hills, Ballyneal and Dismal river. To the uninitiated eye that might seem like an appetite being wetted. To those who have been around this block a few times, it comes off as bullshit hyperbole. Guess what? It turned out to be Bullshit hype. I'll apologize now if that same principle is still the one going through with that project, but I suspect not. I hope my analogy is appropriate because I know Ben and Ran do not want to come off as "that" guy.


The fact that "we" know about this project is a privilege. Clearly, some on this board have no concept of all the little things that it takes to pull something like this off, and/or, have absolutely no patience.

To all, Be patient and ye shall be rewarded.

Adam I applaud your passion for golf architecture and for Ran and Ben, but your posts oftentimes come off as lecture. I realize you are probably the only GCA Feature Interview who is not in the gca business or a golf writer, so yours is an expert opinion.

But your above post is flawed to a degree.  I don't know that we're privileged, seeing that anyone with an internet connection can find the website for Cabot, which was created in 2005, and can read for themselves two single quotes atriibuted to the future course. Those quotes are:

“Canada’s next great golf course”

- National Post

"Tipped by the cognoscenti, to become Canada's top course"

- Golf World (U.K)

The principals of this site and that one surely want the end user to see those quotes (that hyperbole as you called it in reference to the NN guy) as they have been on there for sometime.  And I think that their use of these quotes is just fine.  If it were my project, I'd be excited to share those views with the world as well.  So why not cut the guy in Nebraska some slack. He surely is as passionate about gca as you or me.

Cheers,

Eric

[Jim Nugent]

Jim. Why do you feel that way? Are you in the golf marketing business? There's no if's about it. The rumor monger will take your question and completely fall into the ignorant abyss.

I've never marketed golf or golf courses.  But I do have lots of experience marketing.  The best thing Cabot's owners could do now is to build anticipation and excitement for the course.  If it's outstanding, that is.  Giving news of its progress, wowing us with pictures, hearing great reports from the people widely respected here on GCA, whetting the appetite with some sneak previews -- all would make it a must-see destination.   

The fact that they aren't doing this says to me they are not sure about its future. 

[Adam Clayman]

Eric. Thanks. I will quit justifying and or giving examples. Surely you see the difference between quoting others and writing your own. Jim. Apparently golf courses are different than other products. Buzz too early isn't always a good thing.         This thread shouldve ended after Tom Doak's post. It clearly stated where the project is currently in developement. Let's wait for Ben to report as promised above.   

[George Pazin]

Adam I applaud your passion for golf architecture and for Ran and Ben, but your posts oftentimes come off as lecture. I realize you are probably the only GCA Feature Interview who is not in the gca business or a golf writer, so yours is an expert opinion.

As someone who has met and enjoyed many an hour with Adam, let me say that you could not be more wrong in how you are reading him. That is not meant as a slight to you, merely to point out that one's inferences are not always correct.

[Greg McMullin]

Guy, would love to see some of those trees cut from the mound on the left about 225 yds off the tee. This is a picture from circa 1941