By Jason Bruno
As we get closer to 2024, anticipation builds for the opening of Cabot’s latest destination project, Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville, Florida (70 miles north of Tampa). Formerly known as World Woods, Cabot Citrus Farms features a superb sandy site blessed with worthy elevation changes, magnificent specimen Live Oaks, towering Slash Pines and terrain that cambers and rolls throughout.
As a leading developer in the industry, like his mentor and business partner Mike Keiser, entrepreneur and visionary Ben Cowan-Dewar has left no stone unturned to see this property reach the pinnacle of its potential – and as a result, it’s easy to see (even in the project stage) that Citrus Farms will rival the best golf destinations in North America.
In early Fall, we visited the project site and toured the property with the Managing Director at Cabot Citrus Farms – Daniel Knight. The first thing that caught my eye was the construction of the much needed stay n play cottages (pictured above). . .
The Karoo Course (a reimagined design on the footprint of the old Pine Barrens layout) was in full grow-in mode at the time (above), while The Roost layout (on the parcel that was once Fazio’s Rolling Oaks course) was taking shape, but was still a bit further away from completion. The Squeeze and Wedge courses (originally introduced as the “21”), were close to completion as of early October ’23.
The Karoo course, a 7,201 yard Kyle Franz design that features expansive fairways, exposed native sand areas and beautiful pockets of majestic Slash Pines – combines an array of strategic choices with the visuals of a jagged landscape. The word Karoo is used for the triumphant sounds of the dancing Sandhill Crane that can can be found throughout the property.
Informal tees provide a natural aesthetic and allow for more course set up options. Golfers that were regular visitors to World Woods will recognize some of the familiar scenery on holes they adored on the previous iteration (Pine Barrens), but perhaps the biggest difference is the once overgrown corridors have been opened up to allow nature’s elements in to both shine and breath. Although some feels are familiar, the puzzle pieces have been shifted, rearranged and transformed into an entirely new journey.
The Roost course is a collaborative design of Franz and Mike Nuzzo that reimagines the site that was once Tom Fazio’s more conventional Rolling Oaks course (thought to be his ode to Alister Mackenzie). The Roost sits adjacent to the Karoo layout, but presents a bit more elevation change and an entirely different theme of landscape varieties. The most striking feature of the land is the mighty Live Oaks that are draped with Spanish Moss throughout the routing. More on the Roost course coming soon.
The Squeeze course, is a 10 hole routing designed by Nuzzo, next to the adjoining Wedge course. The Squeeze features short and long holes of standard length, but the true inspiration here is the volatility and drama of the great short par 4 designs around the world. An array of strategic options are in play on this ever changing terrain.
The Wedge course is an 11 hole short course routing that features massive sandscapes and some of the boldest greenside contours on the property. An after-hours lighting system allows for the golf experience to extend well after the gloaming hour.
- Architect Kyle Franz is no stranger to the Cabot portfolio, where he worked with Rod Whitman on Cabot Links in Cape Breton, and has been part of the design efforts at Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Oregon and Barnbougle Dunes in Australia. Kyle’s recent projects at Mid Pines and Southern Pines in the Pinehurst area have been highly acclaimed throughout the golf world.
- Architect Mike Nuzzo spent time working on several projects with Tom Doak, as well as time as an aerospace design engineer. Known for his work at Wolf Point Club in Lavacca, Texas. His passion is creating original “outside the box” course designs that blend into their surroundings.
- Ran Morrissett – Founder of Golf Club Atlas has been an architecture advisor to both Franz and Nuzzo at Cabot Citrus Farms.
*Look for another update after our media day preview coming up in late January ’24.
For more info: https://cabotcitrusfarms.com/
