Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Cabot Cape Breton previews its new short course

Cabot Cape Breton in Inverness, Canada, has opened The Nest for preview play. The 10-hole par-three course has been designed by newly formed architecture firm Whitman, Axland & Cutten.

 

“We searched throughout the Cliffs property to find the land that would yield the best golf holes,” said Dave Axland. “We had a number of options but kept coming back to this site. The ground has a lot of natural contour and variety.”

 

“The Nest sits on a lofty perch – the highest point of the Cliffs property – and was an interesting combination of open meadow and light coastal forest,” added Rod Whitman. “Several deep washes define the site and our routing. In addition, the elevation affords incredible vistas of Cabot Cliffs, the ocean backdrop, and those spectacular sunsets that this area is known for.”

 

The new course plays just over 1,300 yards with holes ranging from 95 to 232 yards, and features a double green for the fourth and ninth holes.

 

Read more: Whitman spoke to GCA when the project began in 2019 about how the team routed the course.

 

“The goal of the new course is to offer the excitement of a traditional golf round, but one that can be played with a handful of clubs in a fraction of the time,” said Keith Cutten. “The swifter pace of play is meant to be more inclusive and appealing to a variety of people including families, juniors and beginners, along with experts and pros. The Nest features all of the hallmarks of links golf found at Cabot’s full-length courses with firm, fast conditions that invite creativity, accompanied by extraordinary ocean views.”

 

“The natural ground contour with rolls, dips and ridges combined with the angle of the holes makes for an interesting and exciting golf experience,” said Whitman. “The quality of the collection of holes at The Nest is remarkable. Each of the offerings on the 10-hole short course could easily be found on both Links and Cliffs, making it a fantastic addition to the existing lineup of golf. This is strong classic golf, not a pitch and putt. It is Cabot worthy!”

 

“The new short course complements the current golf experience and provides a tremendous amount of fun for golfers at all levels,” said Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and co-founder of Cabot Links. “I’m thrilled that we will share another great golf opportunity, which is part of our continuing desire to offer compelling new enhancements for our owners, guests and community.”

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Slideshow HTML
  • Nest
    Steve Rankin

    Whitman, Axland & Cutten has completed The Nest, a ten-hole short course at Cabot Cape Breton (double green at fourth and ninth pictured)

  • Landskrona
    Steve Rankin

    The layout is open for preview play (hole eight pictured)

  • Landskrona
    Steve Rankin

    The tee shot for the fifth hole plays over a lake to a green defended by three bunkers

  • Landskrona
    Steve Rankin

    “The natural ground contour with rolls, dips and ridges combined with the angle of the holes makes for an interesting and exciting golf experience,” says Rod Whitman (seventh hole pictured)

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Steve Rankin
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