Virginia Golfer Jul / Aug 2016 | Page 35

Highlands Links GOLFCAPEBRETON.COM Originally conceived as just a nine-hole track by the Canadian government, this course, which opened in 1941, instead has blossomed into one of Canada’s finest and one renowned worldwide. “Over the last five years we have undertaken a complete restoration of the course,” said General Manager Graham Hudson. “As of today all greens are in the original shape and size. All bunkers are exactly as they were in 1941, in size, shape and location. The incredible views of the ocean and mountains have all been restored with an extensive tree-clearing program.” With a backdrop of both Mount Franey and the Atlantic Ocean—and located in the heart of Cape Breton Highlands National Park—it offers natural splendors hard to find elsewhere. But the Stanley Thompson-designed course will also test your mettle, including a 550-yard par-5 seventh that regular players have been grudgingly admiring for years. Hudson said 3, 5, 15 and 16 are considered the signature holes. If you’re looking to stay a while, the on-site Keltic Lodge offers fine dining and a spa to facilitate total relaxation. much everything. Now there are more than 30, including a 72-room lodge, nine villas (either two or four bedrooms, with more in the works) and three well-regarded restaurants. Even with all the new construction, Cabot is more than 90 percent occupied for the season already, Robinson says, so make sure to plan ahead. Room rates start at $265 per night, while the four-bedroom villa is $1,700. Resort guests can play courses for the discounted rate of $185—half that for a replay round. “We’ve gone above and beyond with service. That’s our motto: it has to be done right,” Robinson says. “We’re continuously building. We haven’t stopped since we started. We realize we need to keep building and moving forward because we know people are going to come. We realize we have something very special here.” vsga.org J U LY /A U G U ST 2 0 16 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 33