Canada’s Cabot Collection Expands Its Reach With Citrus Farms
Freshly squeezed.
Photo by Carolina Pines Golf
Sustainability in the golf world is a big question with myriad answers. For the Canadian golf resort operator Cabot, one of these answers is to eschew buying, and building on, untouched land. Instead, the Toronto-based company has decided to convert a previous golf course site into a modern resort in line with its other properties.
The result is the company’s newest property, and its first in the United States, Cabot Citrus Farms. Located in Florida about 50 minute-drive north of Tampa, Citrus Farms opened with two 18-hole golf courses, a short par 3 course, and the interestingly laid-out The Squeeze course.
Photo by Matt Majka
Photo by Carolina Pines Golf
The origin of the property as a golf destination goes back to the 1990s, when the site was host to World Woods, a previous attempt at destination golf. While completed fully, and home to two well-regarded Tom Fazio-designed courses, World Woods faltered for the reasons a lot of places do; timing, location, competition. That is not to say it wasn’t admired. The courses were well received, with their design favourably compared to the sand hills of North Carolina, a far stretch from what many might consider “Florida golf.” Cabot Citrus Farms general manager David Bennett says that World Woods was “in my opinion, ahead of its time in the golf destination space. They were trying to create world-class golf or great golf in a location that was a little bit more remote.” Those familiar with Cabot’s other properties in Nova Scotia or Saint Lucia may sense a similar thread.
Photo by Paul Severn
After keeping tabs on the property, The Cabot Collection acquired the site and set about remaking it into the modern golf destination it always had the potential to be. The results were on display when the courses opened for preview play in January 2024. Karoo and Roost, the two 18-hole layouts, while right next to each other, are totally different experiences, according to Bennett. “Karoo is a little bit more rustic in nature. It’s got these big wide fairways that are split apart with large green complexes, a lot of sandy waste area on the outside, whereas Roost is a little bit more subtle in its design but kind of feels like a little bit more mystical and kind of magical, back in these oak trees and pine trees, and it has a much more kind of soft, quaint feeling. So I think the two really play off each other and really tell the story of the land.”
Of course, there are golfers who would like nothing more than to play the two courses back-to-back, but for those looking for a little less taxing itinerary, the resort’s two short courses come to the fore. The Wedge is the traditional par 3 short course that is now almost a requirement for a major golf destination. Think Pinehurst’s Cradle or the Preserve at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. The boon here is the installation of floodlights to make an after-dark round possible, drink in hand, of course.
Photo by Carolina Pines Golf
Perhaps the most interesting build at Citrus Farms is The Squeeze. Almost a hybrid between a full course and a par 3, the layout features holes between approximately 90 to 500 metres, with numerous drivable par 4s and a gettable par 5. With 10 holes total, it adds another dimension to the offerings at Citrus Farms. And the recipe is proving popular, according to Bennett. “All of us on site, all of our employees, all of our people that play here often, they love The Squeeze, because you’ve got a mixture of drivable par 4s, you’ve got a par 5 that you can get to in two, and you’ve got some nice part 3s, but it’s a true test of golf.”
While the property is in Florida, a highly populated state in terms of both people and golf courses, it is not near a major town, so on-site accommodation was essential when planning the resort. Real estate on the property is available for purchase, and there are lodges to accommodate short stays for visitors.
Photo by Carolina Pines Golf
The resort is enrolled in Audobon International’s All-Inclusive Platinum Signature Sanctuary Certification Program, a mouthful for sure, but another pillar in the commitment to making the resort as sustainable as possible. As Bennett says, “You can be a great steward of this property by taking the right approach. Whether it be wildlife management or the way you use certain chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides or not. Being proactive about the way we plan and do things.” The result is another feather in the cap for an already well-regarded resort operator and is a continuing expansion for the Canadian company. What started in Nova Scotia has come to Florida, the perfect place to escape from the harsh winters on Cape Breton.
