My Journey to Cabot Cape Breton
The anticipation built with every mile along Nova Scotia's winding coastal roads. After touching down in Halifax, we embarked on what felt like a treasure hunt - a three-hour drive filled with scenic vistas and growing excitement. We'd heard the whispers about Cabot Cape Breton, seen the stunning photos, but nothing could prepare us for what awaited at the end of our journey.
What makes the Cabot story so compelling is how unlikely it all seems. Just over a decade ago, the small town of Inverness was known more for its abandoned coal mines than world-class golf. That all changed when Ben Cowan-Dewar, a young entrepreneur with an audacious vision, partnered with Bandon Dunes founder Mike Keiser to transform this rugged coastline into something extraordinary. Where others saw challenges, they saw possibility - the perfect canvas for links golf in its purest form.
The timing of our visit felt particularly poignant. In just over a decade, Cabot has evolved from a bold idea into one of golf's most coveted destinations. The property now features two internationally acclaimed courses, comfortable lodging, and dining that rivals the best restaurants in Nova Scotia. Yet somehow, it still feels wonderfully intimate and unspoiled. Unlike many modern resorts that try to dazzle you with amenities, Cabot maintains a singular focus on the golf experience.
The setting itself deserves special mention. Cape Breton Island feels like a world apart, where Celtic traditions run deep and the pace of life slows considerably. The dramatic coastline, with its rolling hills and rugged cliffs, bears an uncanny resemblance to Scotland - fitting, given that Nova Scotia literally means "New Scotland." As you drive the famous Ceilidh Trail toward Inverness, it's easy to understand why early Scottish settlers felt so at home here.
Our arrival at Cabot coincided with one of those magical maritime evenings where the sky seems to stretch forever. Standing on the deck of our villa, watching the sun paint the Gulf of St. Lawrence in brilliant oranges and pinks, we could hardly wait to experience what lay ahead. The property spreads out before you in a way that feels both vast and intimate - golf courses rolling toward the sea, comfortable lodging tucked tastefully into the landscape, and always, that endless horizon calling you forward.
What sets Cabot apart isn't just its world-class golf courses or stunning location - it's how the entire experience feels both grand and intimate at the same time. While newer Cabot properties are emerging across the globe, from Saint Lucia to Scotland, there's something special about this original outpost. Here, in this remote corner of Nova Scotia, golf feels both ancient and new, familiar and full of discovery.
Two Courses, Two Personalities
First impressions can be deceiving. At first glance, Cabot Links appears understated - its rumpled fairways and subtle contours don't scream for attention. But this is where the magic begins. As we discovered during our first round, this is authentic links golf in its purest form. The course reveals itself slowly, like a great novel, each hole adding another chapter to the story.
The firm turf and ocean breezes quickly taught us that golf here speaks a different language. Shots that would normally be simple calculations of distance and club selection became creative exercises in imagination. Should you fly it to the target, or play thirty yards short and let the contours guide your ball? That's the beauty of links golf - there's rarely just one right answer.
What struck me most about Links wasn't any single hole, but rather how the entire course seemed to flow naturally with the land. You don't so much play over the terrain as you play through it, each shot an opportunity to work with the landscape rather than against it. When the wind picks up - and it will - the course transforms entirely, demanding an entirely new approach to each hole.
Then there's its younger sibling, Cabot Cliffs, which might be the most thrilling golf course I've ever experienced. While Links whispers, Cliffs roars. The course takes you on a journey that seems almost impossibly dramatic - starting in coastal lowlands before climbing to some of the most spectacular clifftop holes in golf.
The genius of Cliffs lies not just in its stunning location, but in how it builds anticipation throughout the round. The opening holes, masterfully routed through dunes and coastal pines, are outstanding in their own right. But they're also setting the stage for what's to come. As you make the turn and begin climbing toward the clifftops, each hole seems to outdo the last in both strategy and scenery.
What surprised me most about Cliffs was how playable it remained despite its dramatic setting. Yes, there are heart-pumping carries over cliffs and shots that seem to hang forever over the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But there's always a safe route for the cautious player, always multiple ways to approach each challenge. This isn't golf course as obstacle course - it's golf course as adventure.
While Links and Cliffs rightfully command the spotlight, Cabot's newest addition, The Nest, deserves special mention. Perched atop the property's highest point, this 10-hole par-3 course might just be the perfect way to start your stay - or settle those evening matches. The fact that it was crafted by Rod Whitman and Dave Axland, bringing the same vision they applied to Cabot Links, speaks to the commitment to excellence found throughout the property.
Don't mistake this for a typical short course. The playing surfaces mirror the championship conditions of its siblings, while the sweeping ocean vistas might be the most dramatic on the entire property. Each hole feels like it could have been plucked from Links or Cliffs and distilled into its purest form. We played it one evening as the sun was setting, and the experience - equal parts challenging golf and casual fun - perfectly captured what makes Cabot special.
Beyond the Fairways
While the golf commands center stage, Cabot's supporting elements enhance rather than distract from the main attraction. Our villa became a perfect sanctuary after long days on the course, its clean lines and panoramic views providing a modern contrast to the ancient landscapes outside. The dining exceeded all expectations, though nothing quite matched the simple pleasure of a post-round drink watching the sun sink into the Gulf.
What makes Cabot truly special is how it strips golf down to its essence. No golf carts here. No busy highways nearby. Just you, your clubs, and some of the most inspiring terrain you'll ever play across. The staff, from the pro shop to the restaurants, carry themselves with that distinctive Maritime warmth that makes you feel less like a guest and more like a welcome friend.
Each morning brought a new sense of anticipation. Would today be the day to take on Cliffs' dramatic closing stretch in a stiff breeze, or perhaps the perfect afternoon to experience Links at golden hour, when the fescue glows like spun gold? The beauty of Cabot is that there's no wrong choice.
As our group gathered for one final dinner, watching fishing boats return to the harbor in the fading light, we found ourselves already planning our return trip. That's the thing about Cabot - it gets under your skin in the best possible way. While the journey here might be long, the reward is a golf experience that feels both timeless and fresh, challenging yet deeply satisfying.
Yes, newer Cabot properties are emerging worldwide, each promising their own unique take on the golf experience. But there's something magical about this original outpost that can't be replicated. Maybe it's the raw beauty of Cape Breton, or the way the courses seem to have existed here forever, or perhaps it's simply the joy of discovering a place that exceeds every expectation. For golfers seeking to reconnect with the game's roots while experiencing its exciting future, Cabot Cape Breton isn't just worth the journey - it is the journey.
And isn't that what great golf destinations should be? Not just a collection of world-class holes or comfortable amenities, but a place that reminds us why we fell in love with this game in the first place. Cabot does exactly that, and it does it in a way that will leave you changed as both a golfer and a traveler. Just make sure to book an extra day or two - trust me, you'll want it.
Before heading back to Halifax, you'd be remiss not to make one final stop at Blue Lobster Public House. This chef-led gem showcases the best of Nova Scotia's maritime flavors, and there's something poetic about ending your Cabot journey with fresh local seafood and craft brews while reliving your favorite moments from the links. And if those birdies (or bogeys) have put you in a celebratory mood, grab the mic during karaoke night – after all, nothing caps off a day of trying to hit fairways quite like trying to hit high notes.