Hernando County and in particular World Woods Golf Club, in Brooksville, has long captured the international allure of golfing interests both here and abroad. Brooksville and the Spring Hill area are at once sophisticated yet quaint with an increasingly robust economy and a jet-compatible airport, all of which make it a potential haven for top professional tournaments as well as family golfing.
Seeing the potential, Cabot, the renowned, Toronto-based Canadian golf course builder and developer, has acquired Brooksville’s iconic World Woods Golf Club with an eye on revitalization.
“I couldn’t wish for a better location for our first U.S. development,” said Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and Co-founder of Cabot. “The property is a nature lover’s paradise that rivals the most spectacular sites I’ve seen across the world. We are excited to build upon the amazing legacy established at World Woods and forge a new path for Cabot Citrus Farms as a vibrant golf and residential community that showcases the Sunshine State’s abundant natural offerings.”
Cabot, a developer and operator of master-planned golf resort communities, recently announced the acquisition and reimagination of World Woods Golf Club in an exclusive communication with the Hernando Sun newspaper. The picturesque community development, soon to be known as Cabot Citrus Farms, is set across 1,200 acres of sandy soil and rolling hills canopied by towering sand pines, palmetto trees and century-old moss-covered oaks. In its announcement, the company said the Brooksville development is a perfect addition to Cabot’s existing collection of properties best known for breathtaking natural settings, world-class golf and exceptional service. Cabot’s growing portfolio includes the award-winning Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, the highly anticipated Cabot Saint Lucia resort community set to open in late 2022 and Cabot Revelstoke in progress in British Columbia.
The existing Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks golf courses and their impressive practice facilities are already renowned in the world of golf. Pine Barrens was previously a mainstay on the World Top 100 list, while Rolling Oaks remains one of the top courses in the state.
Cowan-Dewar says he first saw World Woods about two decades ago, and over the past 10 years has been thinking seriously about the courses and ways to renovate and improve them. With this acquisition, the company plans to turn those visions into realities. The original course opened in 1993 and was designed by Tom Fazio, who has built courses all over the world during his 50-year career as a golf course designer.
Cabot’s first U.S. development will operate as World Woods in the near term and begin renovations in spring 2022. Cabot Citrus Farms will open in 2023 with world-class amenities including two revitalized 18-hole courses, a par-3 course, a new clubhouse and practice facilities with a putting course and driving range. The search is currently underway for golf course architects to improve the overall playing experience and bring out the best of this spectacular site.
Cabot has mastered the art of high-quality and harmonious design in naturally stunning locales that preserve and complement the native environments in which they are located. As with all Cabot resorts, real estate will be a key component of the community with sales expected to begin in 2022. The legacy destination will re-emerge with a clean and simplified design narrative featuring modern touches built to stand the test of time. Cabot Citrus Farms will be complete with retail, restaurants, fitness and spa amenities, communal gathering points and a farmer’s market.
