Cabot Citrus Farms Unveils Plans for Unique 21-Hole Layout

Brooksville, Fl.–Cabot has found a unique way to make its first U. S. property stand out, even in a state where golf is a dominant activity. The unprecedented course concept at Cabot Citrus Farms in Hernando County is appropriately named “The 21” and will feature a diverse mix of holes ranging from 85 to 560 yards when it opens this year.

The 21 is an entirely new layout designed by golf architect Mike Nuzzo, who was given leeway to fit as many great holes as possible into a 100-acre parcel of the 1,200-acre property. Initially, the plan was for two extra courses of 10 and 11 holes, respectively. And while that is still the case in some respects, Cabot co-founders Ben Cowan-Dewar and Mike Keiser decided to combine the two into the new 21-hole concept after taking a closer look.

The 21 is also unique in the world of golf-in a category of one when it comes to the total number of holes. The Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia has 22-holes laid out by Gil Hanse, while Rees Jones designed Haig Point’s Signature Course on South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island has 20 holes, but there are no 21-hole courses in the U.S. Cabot’s original property, Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada has a 10-hole par 3 perched on the highest point of Cabot Cliffs called “The Nest.”

When completed, guests and members at Cabot Citrus Farms can play the 21-hole full course or two different sides with a bit of a Blackjack theme. The 10-hole course, simply called The Ten, is more conventional. While the early course routing sketches do not list par, it has three holes considered as par 3’s–115 yards to 180–and one par 5 at 560 yards. It also features six holes of traditional par 4 yardage, four of which are between 285 and 305, essentially “half-par holes. Showcasing the diversity, the 560-yard par 5, 4th hole will have a green and landforms that resemble golf in Ireland, while the following hole, the 355-yard 5th, is expected to be more reminiscent in look and feel of the Australian Sandbelt. The 11-hole course meanwhile is called “The Ace” and is comprised of par 3 holes between 85 and 125 yards.

When open, there will be different pricing options for the Ten, Ace, and the full 21. At this point, the rough shaping has been completed, and irrigation is being installed as finish shaping gets underway.

Located about 60 miles due north of Tampa and 80 miles west of Orlando, Cabot Citrus Farms was formerly known as World Woods and had two heralded Tom Fazio-designed courses that weaved their way through rolling hills and sandy soil with towering pines, palmetto trees, and ancient moss-covered oaks. Cowan-Dewar says the plan is for two 18s–newly named Cabot Barrens & Cabot Oaks-to have the “firmest, fastest conditions in the south.”

Architect Kyle Franz is redoing the forested layout at Cabot Barrens and teaming with Nuzzo and Advisor Ran Morrissett on the redesign of Cabot Oaks, which winds through scrubby areas mention a 40-foot-deep sinkhole adjacent to the other course. While the Barrens will feature rugged aesthetics and wide corridors of play, the Oaks course features design elements inspired by Alister Mackenzie and Fazio’s 50-foot elevation changes across the property.

Cabot Citrus Farms, unlike World Woods, will also be a residential community and, in addition to its progress on the golf side, is launching sales for its collection of 36 two and four-bedroom cottages this month. Some cottages will be situated along the golf courses, while others front the community’s main street and will also feature retail, restaurants, fitness and spa amenities, communal gathering spots, and a farmer’s market.

For more information, please visit CabotCitrusFarms.com.