From the wild shores of Cape Breton to the sun-soaked fairways of the Caribbean, Cabot has become synonymous with exceptional golf. Known for pioneering breathtaking golf destinations that capture both the spirit of the land and the soul of the game, Cabot has now taken a bold new step—not by breaking ground, but by embracing it. In a move that surprised many and intrigued even more, Cabot entered the realm of golf course management, applying its design-forward ethos and high-touch hospitality to courses already steeped in history.
To understand this strategic shift and what it means for the future of the game, we sat down with Cabot’s co-founder and CEO, Ben Cowan-Dewar, for an exclusive Q&A that takes us inside the company’s growing vision.
Cabot has built a reputation for developing world-class golf destinations. What inspired the move into golf course management with Cabot-managed properties?
“Cabot’s mission has always been to create exceptional golf experiences, so moving into course management felt like a natural extension for our team. While our core business is built on development, we saw an opportunity to bring the same level of attention to detail, guest service, and design-forward thinking to existing properties that align with our brand values. For example, each of the Cabot-managed properties has – or is working towards – the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) certification, reflecting a strong foundation in environmental stewardship. By managing courses, we can share the Cabot philosophy with a broader audience and elevate established destinations with incredible potential.”
How does managing existing golf courses differ from building new destinations from the ground up?
“When we build from the ground up, we craft an experience from a blank canvas and develop every aspect from scratch. Course management requires a different kind of creative process as we work with something that already exists and look at how we can enhance it. That process might involve course conditioning, service standards, branding or even rethinking design elements. It’s not to say that it’s easier, but it’s often a faster process to improve and enhance an existing property.”
Since taking over management, what specific improvements has Cabot implemented at Cascata, Rio Secco, Grand Bear, and Chariot Run?
“Across all four Cabot-managed properties, our focus has been on elevating every aspect of the guest experience and hospitality. From refining each property’s unique brand story and visual identity to enhancing on-course collateral and playability, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and memorable golf experience for every guest. We’ve also diversified the retail offering and elevated course maintenance standards, while partnering with global leaders like TaylorMade and TrackMan to deliver world-class performance and innovation on and off the course. We are also seeing the benefits of operating at a larger scale, gaining overall efficiencies and applying best practices from our broader Cabot portfolio to optimize operations. Looking ahead, we are planning thoughtful course enhancements that will ensure the long-term success and appeal of each property.”
With Cabot’s expansion into management, do you envision this as a long-term growth strategy, and are there plans to add more courses to the portfolio?
“Absolutely. Course management allows us to bring our approach to more communities and gives golfers the opportunity to experience the Cabot touch, whether they visit a Cabot-managed property or a Cabot resort built from the ground up. We are always looking at opportunities to expand our portfolio, be that through acquisition, redevelopment, management, or otherwise. It’s an exciting time to be thinking about growing the game of golf!”
Final Score
With its move into management, Cabot is proving that you don’t need to build a course from scratch to craft something extraordinary—you need vision, intention, and the right team to breathe new life into what already exists. Whether teeing it up at a legendary layout like Cascata or discovering new magic at Chariot Run, one thing is sure. If it has the Cabot name, it will feel like something entirely new, whether or not the land is.
Stay tuned as Cabot continues to shape the future of golf, one fairway at a time.