Nova Scotia’s Newest Premier Golf Retreat: Cabot Wilds Set to Open in 2027

A rendering of the planned clubhouse at Cabot Wilds in Nova Scotia, the newest property in the Cabot portfolio of destination golf resorts.

Cabot

The Cabot brand continues to broaden its presence in the golf world, returning to its roots in Canada where the luxury resort developer was established over ten years ago.

Cabot has announced Cabot Wilds, a sprawling 2,500-acre estate slated for a late 2027 opening within the rolling terrain of Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. The flagship attraction is an 18-hole riverfront course crafted by designer Jeff Mingay. Situated in the province’s wild blueberry heartland, the property lies roughly three and a half hours east of Cabot Cape Breton.

“As the name implies, it offers an idyllic landscape defined by the River Phillip and a stunning golf course that capitalizes on the breathtaking Nova Scotia scenery,” said Cabot CEO and co-founder Ben Cowan-Dewar. “The region is also adorned with magnificent blueberry fields that shift hues throughout the seasons.”

True to the Cabot model, Cabot Wilds will deliver a wealth of experiences beyond the fairway. The resort will feature a clubhouse, diverse dining options, a recreation pavilion, racquet sports facilities, and residential properties, all complemented by curated outdoor activities across the surrounding maple forests, wild blueberry fields, and salmon-filled River Phillip.

Cabot’s Partner

The development is a collaboration with Canadian businessman John Bragg and his family, who founded Oxford Frozen Foods, the globe’s largest wild blueberry farming enterprise. Bragg originally invested in Cabot Cape Breton and increased his ownership stake in the property last year, which boasts two World Top 100 courses. Cabot Wilds is positioned just outside Oxford on land the Bragg family has owned for generations, situated mere minutes from their corporate headquarters.

“This land has always been a cherished place for my family,” Bragg stated in a press release. “It is profoundly meaningful to now share this special part of Nova Scotia with the world.”

Cowan-Dewar has long regarded Bragg as an invaluable business partner, a relationship reminiscent of his connection with Mike Keiser, the founder of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the rugged Oregon coast, which is widely credited with revolutionizing destination golf. Keiser was also a significant early investor in Cabot Cape Breton.

“I deeply admired John and the enterprise he constructed,” Cowan-Dewar remarked. “As individuals who care profoundly about rural Canada, particularly rural Nova Scotia, we shared an immediate bond. Yet, he evolved from being a passionate advocate for Cabot Cape Breton—bringing people to celebrate it—to investing in it, becoming a homeowner, and ultimately acquiring a majority stake. That trajectory illustrates the remarkable evolution of a friendship and a business partnership.”

“I was fortunate to have Mike Keiser serve as far more than a business partner; he was a mentor and a shining example,” he added. “And John has been exactly the same.”

Cowan-Dewar notes that Cabot Wilds is a project Bragg holds “super near and dear,” though he hopes Bragg will engage in future Cabot endeavors. The Cabot portfolio currently spans its original Nova Scotia location, alongside Cabot Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, Cabot Revelstoke in British Columbia, Cabot Citrus Farms in Florida, Cabot Highlands in Scotland, Cabot Bordeaux in France, and Lofoten Links in Norway.

A natural question for such national and international golf resorts is whether additional courses will follow. The initial design is by Mingay, a Canadian native who was an associate of Rod Whitman, the designer of Cabot Links.

“While trends certainly exist, you must first complete the initial course, ensure its success, and execute it flawlessly to create that opportunity,” Cowan-Dewar said. “But I certainly hope we get that chance to expand.”

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