Golf - Cabot Highlands hope new golf course will double number of rounds played at Inverness resort once it swings into action
DEVELOPERS behind a new golf course on the outskirts of Inverness expects to double the number of rounds played at its resort when it officially goes into operation.
Cabot Highlands says it remains on schedule to open its new Old Petty Golf Links for preview play in less than three months time with it set to officially open next spring.
Final preparations are being made to the new golf course which is set to open for preview play from August 1 until September 30.
It is then planned that the golf course, which has been designed by Tom Doak, will officially open in May 2026.
Cabot Highlands currently sells between 20,000 to 25,000 rounds every year at its existing course at Castle Stuart Golf Links. But once Old Petty is in operation, the number of rounds on site is expected to head towards 50,000 annually.
Cabot Highlands general manager Mark Wright says preparations to make Old Petty ready for preview play on August 1 are going smoothly.
He said: “Our first tee time at Old Petty will be at 8:05am on August 1 where there will be 61 days of preview play.
“It is to test the course and to get that first experience. There has been a lot of interest as some people want to play it as they may not come back to the Highlands for a number of years.
“Interest is also coming from people who are huge fans of Tom Doak courses, others are from the Inverness region who are following developments closely and are keen to be one of the first to play a new course. Our trade partners also want to experience it so they can sell it for next year.
“The anticipation for Old Petty has been going for years, so when that 8.05am tee time on August 1 rolls around, it will be an exciting day.”
Castle Stuart Golf Links, which is located beside the new Old Petty Golf Course, has hosted the Scottish Open four times, but Cabot Highlands says the emphasis at the course will be creating a golfing resort.
Wright says they want to create an on-site experience where golfers can stay at the venue and give them an opportunity to experience the surrounding area as well. He says there are plans to increase the number of cottages that are on the site.
He said: “Castle Stuart’s reputation in the golf world and everything they have done with the course quality and the hospitality has been extraordinary.
“Cabot has seen the opportunity to build it out like a resort.
“The first stage of that was building a second course that will open up for preview play in August and September and in time capture something for the guest on site more.
“Right now we have three four-bedroom cottages and starting this summer we will be putting in five new four-bedroom cottages coming up on the 18th at Castle Stuart.
“That will be partnered with a renovation of the clubhouse, which will include the private lounge and restaurant and convert a retail space into another food and beverage outlet.”
With Old Petty being part of Cabot Highlands’ plans to develop its golf resort, Wright believes it will also be a welcome boost not just for them, but for tourism in Inverness and the Highlands. He says it will look to offer more than just golf to tourists to the region.
He said: “In the next two years, we could have potentially double the amount of golfers on site. We will need space for that. Cabot is looking to build up the resort experience for the guest. Not just to play golf, but to stay the night, experience the extraordinary food and beverage available with local sourcing as well as other experiences.
“When people come to the Highlands, yes Castle Stuart has a big draw, but there is also a big amount of incredible golf courses in this area such as Nairn, Royal Dornoch, Brora and Tain. People will always come to this area for a number of days and want to play these courses.
“We want them to come and play Castle Stuart and Old Petty, but potentially use this as their base to travel around the Highlands.”
Wright added: “We are also working on a new adventure guide which includes trips up the Moray Firth, visiting local landmarks like Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness as well as activities such as angling and clay pigeon shooting.
“For our perspective, the trends are going towards customers playing 18 holes a day and looking what they can do the rest of the day and explore the area.
“That is one thing that the Highlands has so much to offer.
“Cabot’s mentality is this is a real long term investment, we are building a golf course for the next 200 years.
“Some hotels are built and have a 30-40 year shelf life before they go out of fashion. Golf courses are like wine where they keep getting better.”
