World Class Links Golf Course for Inverness
(reprinted with permission from the ORAN October 5, 2005 Edition)
It took 10 years to accomplish, but on Monday all the hard work and perseverance paid off.
The announcement of a world-class links golf course for Inverness was made before an exuberant crowd that was ready to usher in a new era for the community.
Rick Beaton, chair and CEO of the Cape Breton Growth Fund, acted as emcee for the joyous occasion, saying they were there to make "a good news announcement."
Beaton said he first became acquainted with the project six years ago next January when he made his first trip to Inverness to meet with the Inverness Development Association (IDA) that felt it had a good and worthwhile project. In challenging times, he said, the IDA believed the project would help stabilize the community, add growth potential and enhance the tourism sector.
"I am ecstatic and pleased to be here today, to announce we have an agreement with an investor which will bring this project to fruition," Beaton said.
Beaton said the IDA's dedication was second-to-none over a 10-year period.
"They had dedication in spades," he added. "They could have walked away and said we don't have the energy anymore."
He praised MP Rodger Cuzner, saying his dedication to this project and this region of Nova Scotia is second to none.
Beaton said four or five years ago the project was at a low point, and someone had to make a commitment for the next step. It was then that the Honourable Rodney MacDonald and his cabinet decided to do the environmental remediation on the site.
"We would not be here today without it," Beaton admitted.
He commended Warden Duart MacAulay for his council's support and the developer, Ben Cowan-Dewar, president and CEO of Golf Tours International of Toronto, for taking the leadership role with the shareholders to make this project a reality.
Beaton said Tom Ryan, project chair, was like a "dog with a bone" who announced the project constantly but stayed in for the long trek. He said there were many discussions, some pointed, but it was because he loved the project.
MP Roger Cuzner told the overflow crowd that when elected representatives come to an event like this they try to impress everyone with figures and numbers.
"I have one number for today..... FORE," he said.
He said he was extremely happy for those people who got behind an idea, a dream that had a gestation period of 10 years.
Cuzner said is will enhance the entire golf product on Cape Breton Island.
The new company - Cabot Links - will retain a world renowned course architect to manage the design and construction. The golf course will be Scottish links style and will be situated on a parcel of land between the Town of Inverness and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The proposed 195 acre site was a former mine site that was remediated in 2003 by the provincial government.
MP Cuzner stated that the CBGF is to be commended for its support on this project. "Golf vacationers are attracted to areas that offer a variety of high-quality courses with a mix of landscapes and course designs. A seaside links-style course will be a great addition to the existing golf offering on Cape Breton Island, extending the stay of golf vacationers," he said.
Cuzner recalled "when he slipped off his medication" and entered politics the second question at the fire hall in Inverness came from Jim Ryan and was concerning his support of the golf project.
He said the project went through a lot of different phases, but the community believed in it even though "it took Tom to the bridge a couple of times."
He said the IDA never lost hope, and Rick Beaton backed it which eventually has given this community the opportunity to grow and develop.
Cuzner praised Beaton and his staff for staying with the project until an investor could be found.
He also commended Rodney MacDonald for getting the money to do the remediation which made the rest possible.
He added that former warden A.J. MacDougall, Warden Duart MacAulay and Councillor Ned MacDonald were also key players in today's success.
"We needed everyone on the same end of the rope to pull something like this across the line," he said.
The Cape Breton Growth Fund will provide funding of $2.5 million in the form of an equity investment, and Cabot Links estimates it will create 20 jobs.
Cuzner said it was Ben Cowan-Dewar who gave this project a real chance for success.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Rodney MacDonald sees the project as a way for the existing golf courses to reach new national and international markets. "Introducing another partner who has established contacts in the Ontario market will mean more promotional opportunities for Cape Breton golf packages, thus increasing tourism visitations," he says.
"Think it will happen?" was the question most asked of Rodney MacDonald over the past six years.
"The game of golf is coming to Inverness," he finally said with certainty on Monday.
"There were many balls in the rough over the years, but today we hit a hole in one," he said.
He said the community owes the IDA a debt of gratitude, and he too commended all the players who made it happen.
MacDonald said he first met Ben Cowan-Dewar at a Golf Nova Scotia supper in Toronto where he overheard him talking about the potential of a golf site in Inverness, Nova Scotia.
"Thanks for believing in the community and the golf project," he added. "You are always welcome here."
He said without Rick Beaton's leadership the project wouldn't be here today, and he pointed to Senator Allan J. MacEachen who has always been a big fan of the project.
MacDonald also thanked Premier John Hamm for his belief in the project which brought about the remediation.
"Inverness is truly ont he move," he said. "It is an exciting time for the area, Cape Breton and Nova Scotia."
Senator Allan J. MacEachen said progress can be achieved when people work together with all levels of government.
He said perseverance made it happen, and there is nothing more important in government than perseverance.
"There were many reverses, but one by one the problems were solved, and I was happy to be able to offer advice along the way," he said.
"It is a new venture bringing changes that are often difficult to make, but Ben is investing heavily in us, so we must have a positive attitude and hold on to it," MacEachen added. "It is also safe to say that Rick is a key figure in this proposal."
"We see the new face of Inverness with the sidewalks, Visitor Information Centre, the lights and now a new golf course," he said.
The decision to establish in Cape Breton was an easy one for the company's CEO, Ben Cowan-Dewar. "the praise that the property has garnered from golf architects and writers who have visited the site confirmed our own beliefs that this was a spectacular opportunity not to be passed up," he said.
"The rolling nature of the land, with its subtle elevation changes and cant towards the sea, makes for a golf setting unlike anywhere else in Canada, and one of very few pure golf experiences in the world. These factors, along with the site's proximity to the Cabot Trail, let us to name the property Cabot Links."
He said that with each visit to the area his appreciation of the land and community grew, and as he saw the many great links courses in Great Britain and how these properties were part of the fabric of the community, he envisioned that for Inverness.
Now Cape Breton will have the Fabulous Five.
He said Rod Whitman, one of the best golf architects in Canada and the world, will design the course.
At the peak of his career, he will design something very special, "the best course in Canada."
He said he will need the support of the community; as the tourists overflow into the entire community he expects the friendliness will continue for our new guests.
He praised the IDA for its vision and passion which brought this golf course to Inverness.
"Without them, there would be no course," he said.
Cowan-Dewar said we are lucky to have representatives like Cuzner and MacDonald who never say anything bad about each other.
He concluded by saying that Rick Beaton and his staff made it possible as he proceeded to put the project together.
"It is an exciting day for Inverness and Inverness County as a whole," Warden Duart MacAulay said.
He too commended all the partners for their long-term belief in the project, saying that the county was always there to help in any way.
"It is unbelievable how much work the IDA puts into this community," he added.
Beaton remarked that it is always a risk, but with the funding partners, the Growth Fund for $2.5 million and Cowan-Dewar making up the rest of the $6 million project, the project is ready to succeed.
Tony MacDonald, president of he IDA, said most had dark hair when they started this project 10 years ago.
He said the IDA will continue to support all the partners, and he thanked the people of Inverness for their encouragement and patience over the years.
"It was a long wait, but there is no doubt that it was worthwhile," he said/
Tom Ryan, the chair of the golf project, looked back to June 9th, 1995: 10 years, three months and 24 days ago when he first mentioned a "links" golf course to IDA coordinator, the late Bruce Jardine.
"I will never forget the look that came over him. His eyes grew like saucers...and our journey began, Ryan said. "He and Rankin MacDonald, and, shortly after, the rest of us, got a roller coaster ride."
"the Inverness Municipality was with us from the early days. They committed their land to our project, gave us money for the first study and never hesitated in their support of us. Former wardens Ed MacDonald, A. J. MacDougaall and now Duart MacAulay and Ned MacDonald our counselor have led the way, but the other counselors, Jim MacLean, Gloria LeBlanc and Daniel Boudreau have been with us as well. I must add the names of Kate Beaton, John Cotton and Joe O'Connor to those who deserve recognition," Ryan added.
Ryan thanked Allan J. MacEachen, Rick Beaton, Rodney MacDonald, Rodger Cuzner and Ben Cowan-Dewar who knows what makes a golf course great.
"It is important as well to recognize those who donated property to make up the 170 acres of land we need for the course. Our municipal government has committed about 70 acres, the MacLeod family has given about 20 acres, John Chisholm, 6 acres and the Department of Natural Resources, 6 acres more. Without their generosity, we would be able to do nothing," he added.
"Ben, we hope you have a long and successful relationship with the community of Inverness, " Ryan said.
"This day marks the beginning of a new day for this community. This is the start of a time of great possibilities. We need you to be prepared for opportunity and to be ready for some change. Inverness will become a destination for people who want a vacation in an energetic, happening place. It will be a community for people to retire to and maybe a place to do business. Perhaps we can slow the constant outflow of our young people by giving them opportunities here. Perhaps some of our children will be able to return to raise their own families. Now there's a chance for all this to happen," he added.
"We have a safe, clean environment, great scenery, fantastic hiking trails, warm salt water beaches, boating, fishing, live-harness racing, a great hospital and a vibrant culture, including the Inverness County Center for the Arts, the Inverness Miners' Museum - and, of course, the area is full of music. On top of this we will soon have a world class, British-style links golf course. It will run along the coast in a place of wind and sea and sun below the village of Inverness. It will offer lovely views and breath-taking sunsets for you as you walk over the old mine fields of Inverness. For golfers it will be a true experience."
Ryan said the IDA's mandate is to use the land for the betterment of the community, and to this end the agreement protects community ownership of the beach and boardwalk, provides access to the beach with paths along Beach Road #1 and near Beach Road #2, while giving the community a world-class golf course.
Ben Cowan-Dewar said the planning and design will continue over the fall and winter with construction of the course getting underway in the spring.
He hopes the course will be ready by mid-2007.
