Welcome to Cape Breton.
Five years ago I kicked off the Lobster Boil Cape Breton invitational. Initially it was an idea inspired by the combination of playing at Pebble Beach and reading Mark Frost's "The Match". There a bit more of that story here.
Since then, 56 golfers have participated, many of whom introduced to Cape Breton for the first time.
In 2014, Cabot Links was still in its infancy. It’s fairways and greens had not yet matured, but it was already getting recognition on the world golfing map. Many of us got a sneak preview of the new Cabot Cliffs course that was quietly under construction. Team MacAdam defeated Team Hardy.
In 2015, the Lobster Boil group was among the first golfers ever to play the course that would have the golf world in awe with the as yet officially open track already considered to be one of the world’s best. Team Jacoby defeated Team Decker with the tournament pretty much coming down to the last match of that rainy Sunday morning. In fact, maybe jinxing it by saying this, but in 20 days of golf over 5 years, that has been the only rainy day so far.
In 2016, a touch of celebrity joined us in Cape Breton. Johnny Reid and Alan Frew captained their respective teams to the Battle of Inverness. Team Frew came out victorious. It was on this trip that Johnny and Alan began their collaboration on the concept of what would become Glass Tiger's 31 year anniversary album. I'll never forget the impromptu jam session that Saturday afternoon on the patio at Cabot Links clubhouse as over a hundred locals gathered listening to Johnny and Alan jamming while a foursome of the Reckefellar family putted out on the 18th green behind them amongst the ruckus. Cabot Cliffs debuted that year as it officially opened, getting rave reviews around the world of golf, but not yet receiving any official ranking.
As Cabot’s prestige grew, I made the mistake of waiting until January 2017 to start planning the 2017 Lobster Boil. There were no rooms left in the Inn. So, it was going to be a year off for the tournament. However, a couple of months later, Lobster Boil veteran Mike Wilson was planning a golf trip for a few of his hockey pals. We turned it into a mini Lobster Boil tournament amongst 8 competitors that we were able to jam into the Cabot facilities for two days in the middle of the week in August. That small contingent did a modified Lobster Boil tour that brought us over the Cabot Trail to Highland Links ...an addition to the tour that would be spectacular, but difficult to do with a big group in four short days. Team Wilson defeated Team Davidson. I learned from my 2017 mistake and booked the rooms for 2018 last July. Now we are lined up for what will be the Fifth Lobster Boil Cape Breton Invitational.
Craig.
