November 17, 2022, Nova Scotia: Fox Harb’r Resort today announced the historic collaboration of two of golf’s most respected architects, who will work together to redesign and expand the celebrated Fox Harb’r golf course. Doug Carrick and Tom McBroom, who have collectively designed dozens of award-winning courses around the world, are expected to unveil plans for the course in January of 2023.
According to Steven Joyce, CEO & Chairman of Fox Harb’r, recruiting the best talent was part of the plan from the outset. “Our goal is to expand on our existing course to create the finest golf destination in Canada. We have the land, the ocean and the passion. With that in mind, we conducted an international search for architects who could see the potential of our spectacular location.”
The initial search began four years ago, with an international design competition. Carrick and McBroom both submitted individual bids, facing off against the best in the world. Recognizing a dynamic opportunity to bring together two of the country’s most formidable talents, the team at Fox Harb’r proposed they work together to create a new world-class course.
According to Doug Carrick, “the original vision was to add 18 holes to the existing 18. Working together, we decided that rather than just building a new course, we would instead reimagine 9 of the existing holes and combine them with 9 new holes, all in a links style, to create a true ocean course. Construction began in September 2022 and we hope to have it completed by the fall of 2023. Our next phase will be a separate ‘vineyard’ course – again, rethinking the existing back 9 and combining it with 9 new holes. The style is going to be different from what is at Fox Harb’r now. It’s a big vision and very exciting.”
Tom McBroom explained that currently Fox Harb’r has a parkland style course on the ocean. “It has the kind of bunkering you might find on an inland course. It’s dramatic and very visual. The new design will take more advantage of the conditions by the sea. We intend to make use of grass hollows, and smaller bunkers in a more traditional links style. It will feature the rumbles and rolls of the land, and green contours that hug the surface of the ground. It will be refined and well maintained with fairways that roll and fall into the bunkers.”
In terms of difficulty, the strategy is to create a design that will accommodate a wide range of skills. “We will be looking to create alternative routes and multiple tees so that people can play a longer or shorter yardage. The course will have width so that the course is enjoyable and friendly for the average golfer but still offer risk and reward strategies for experienced players,” says Carrick.
McBroom adds that wind will be a factor in the design. “We will need to take the ocean breeze into consideration, it can blow the ball around and wreak havoc with the way people play. We need the width to ensure everyone has a fun day.”
Both designers are enthusiastic and clear about what they want to accomplish. Says McBroom, “both Doug and I are excited about this incredible opportunity. We intend to make Fox Harb’r a landmark golf experience in North America.”
