Golf Course Architecture: Issue 57 - July 2019

35 TEE BOX Cabot Links short course COURSE BLUEPR INT Golf course architects Rod Whitman and Dave Axland are collaborating on a ten-hole short course at Cabot Links Golf Resort in Inverness, Canada. The short course will join the resort’s two 18-hole golf courses – Cabot Links, designed by Whitman in 2012, and Cabot Cliffs, designed by Coore and Crenshaw in 2016. “The project came about as the ownership was doing some master planning to include real estate and other site usage options,” said Whitman. “The idea for a par-three course has always been a part of this overall plan. Ben Cowan-Dewar [co-founder and managing director of the resort] invited Dave and I to be the designers of the short layout.” The ten-hole course is being built on land the resort already owns, just inland and uphill from Cabot Cliffs. “Ben spent quite a bit of time working with us to identify the property best suited for the course,” said Whitman. “We decided on a piece of rolling ground overlooking the final eight holes of the Cabot Cliffs course. The course was routed to allow for maximum variety in length and shot values. Right now, we have ten holes, but that could be expanded. “The natural ground contour and the angle of the holes allows for interesting, fun and varied golf. The ground has rolls, dips and ridges. It will have a Scottish feel and look to it and there will be spectacular views of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.” The seeding of the course is expected to be complete by late August ahead of a 2020 opening. Photo: Rod Whitman Golf Course Design