A short drive down the eastern shoreline takes one to Highlands Links. Repeatedly rated as the “Number One Public Course” in Canada, it also holds a rating of perhaps more significant importance, being ranked 57th in world rankings. A true “links” course, Highlands begins and ends along the ocean, but its middle holes ramble along a river valley at the base of steep forested cliffs. To walk Highlands is to experience what one preeminent North American golf scribe described as “…the best walk in golf…”.
Highlands challenges golfers with its rolling fairways, seaside winds, undulating greens and distracting scenery and wildlife. (Try teeing off while an eagle argues with crows in the treetop above you……….or putting out after a mother moose ushers her calf down the cart path to your right!) It’s in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, so not only is the quality there, but so is the natural beauty.
A similarly short drive along the western shoreline brings one to Le Portage golf course, in the French-Acadian fishing village of Cheticamp. This 18-holer is arguably one of the most underrated courses in North America. As if combining an attractive yet functional clubhouse with wide fairways and magnificently maintained greens were not enough, the course, like Highlands, is set at the base of the mountains. Here eagles soar overhead while golfers struggle to concentrate amidst the distraction of towering mountain beauty.
In both cases, it’s the unexpected that adds flavor. Since the drive from the northern tip of the island to each course is through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, one never knows what waits around the next corner. Moose crossing the road, coyotes in the bush, or whales just offshore: all are pretty common occurrences that golfers encounter on the way to play a round. It’s part of what keeps them coming back.
And as if this were not enough, a round at Bell Bay golf course, the third of the Fab Four, complete with dinner, is a scenic day trip from the northern tip.
Combine all this with whale watching, hiking, deserted beaches, spas and shopping for fine crafts, and this sounds like a golf week waiting to happen.
The Northern Cape Breton region is enviably positioned midway between two of the golf course that comprise the "Fabulous Foursome", namely Highlands Links 