Team behind Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs to add new golf course in BC

20 Nov 2020

The Cabot golf brand is expanding, with confirmation this week that the team behind the successful Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs development in Nova Scotia will be part of an exciting new project at Revelstoke Mountain in British Columbia.

The established, and highly regarded, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is partnering with the Cabot brand to develop the Cabot Pacific golf course, as well as a 150-room lodge and spa. There is also a luxury real estate component to the development. Cabot Pacific will be the third Cabot golf project, with construction underway on the Cabot Saint Lucia Resort in the Caribbean. The company was founded by Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser and his Canadian partner Ben Cowan-Dewar.

As was the case with the first course at Cabot Links, Rod Whitman will be the chief golf course designer at Revelstoke, along with his partners Dave Axland and Keith Cutten.

According to Whitman, the site available for golf at Revelstoke is gently rolling as opposed to steeply sloped like many mountain courses. He told the Golf Digest website that holes are partly routed along a high ridge-line at the base of Mount MacKenzie, which drops toward a pristine lake and enjoys tremendous views of the sheer mountain slopes.

Said Whitman of the property, “It’s this benchland at the base of Mount MacKenzie, so in one direction you’re looking up at this sheer mountain, and in the other direction you’re looking across the wide river valley to the mountain range across the way. So, the site naturally created this spectacular view-plane for the entire golf course.”

The designer added that, “There are some natural features that are pretty spectacular…(Holes) seven and eight are set against that dramatic gorge. When I first saw it, I thought . . . well, you never want to mention names, but it reminded me of Cypress Point. But instead (of the ocean) it’s in the mountains.”

While clearing approval has been granted by council to begin next month, the actual construction of the golf course and related buildings requires further development permits. The project team expect the golf course to open in 2023.

From the Revelstoke Mountain Resort press release:

Northland Properties is pleased to announce a partnership with the Cabot brand to bring the Cabot golf and resort experience to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Cabot is a developer and operator of master-planned golf resort communities, including the acclaimed Cabot Cape Breton resort in Nova Scotia and the highly-anticipated Cabot Saint Lucia resort currently in development in the Caribbean.

"We are excited to bring the Cabot brand to Revelstoke starting with an unparalleled mountain golf course, Cabot Pacific," said Tom Gaglardi, CEO of Northlands Corporation. "The world-class golf experience combined with exceptional hospitality and future luxury real estate opportunities will add another reason to experience Revelstoke Mountain Resort."

"When we look for extraordinary golf sites throughout the world, we so rarely find the natural beauty that drew us to Cape Breton and Saint Lucia. I was immediately inspired by the grandeur of the mountains that surround Revelstoke and reminded why people have been drawn to the mountains for generations," said Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and Co-founder of Cabot. "We are excited to build upon the amazing foundation that exists and be part of the thoughtful Revelstoke Mountain Resort expansion."

Surrounded by breathtaking mountain ranges, giant old-growth forests and glaciers, the 18-hole golf course is designed by Rod Whitman, an Alberta native with deep Canadian roots, and the designer of Cabot's first golf course, the award-winning Cabot Links. The course will be routed overlooking the Columbia River with views of towering Monashee and Selkirk peaks in every direction. Set on a bench of land high above the river valley, it takes advantage of the diverse landscape and rolling natural topography. Golfers can expect great natural contours and play among and around cliffs, creeks and large rocky outcroppings set against the stunning vistas mountain golf is loved for.

“Having the opportunity to build a mountain course with the Cabot team in this spectacular destination is a true honor and lifetime achievement for me,” said Whitman. “This setting rivals the best in Canada—and across the world. Our main goal is to create inspiring golf that will bring people together and stand the test of time, and we hope that this will do both of those things.”