DOUG CARRICK AND TOM MCBROOM TEAM UP FOR AN AMBITIOUS REDESIGN AND EXPANSION AT CANADA’S FOX HARB’R
The renowned architects join forces at one of Canada’s most dramatic oceanside golf courses; new design will feature a links course and an adjacent parkland course for a total of 36 holes
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.”
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ABOUT FOX HARB’R
The dream made reality of Canadian icon Tim Hortons’ co-founder and philanthropist, Ron Joyce, Fox Harb’r Resort flows along Nova Scotia’s sunrise side, the Northumberland Shore. Its promise, “luxury without pretension” in a uniquely private destination. Located 90 minutes drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick, this CAA/AAA Four-Diamond and Canada Select Five Star retreat also has its own 5,000 foot fully-service runway and aircraft hangar. Fox Harb’r is best known as home to one of the best-rated championship golf courses in Canada, an inspired mix of both parkland holes, and traditional links-style play. This 1,100-acre retreat also encompasses all-suite accommodations for up to 170 guests, a dedicated meeting facility, and more stand-out venues. Additional on-site activity options include the top sporting clay shooting facility on the East Coast, horseback riding, sea kayaking, boat cruises from the deep-water marina, and an award-winning spa. Rounding out this singular oceanside experience – a lighthouse, a vineyard, greenhouses, and over 16 km of nature trails. Visit www.foxharbr.com
ABOUT DOUG CARRICK
Since establishing Carrick Design in 1985, Doug has been involved in the planning, design and remodeling of more than 80 golf courses world – wide. His vast range of experience includes a wide variety of golf / residential communities, golf resorts, exclusive private clubs and pay as you play courses. Doug is also adept at dealing with the unique challenges posed by numerous different settings and landscapes including: flat barren land, mountain terrain, rocky terrain, poorly drained sites, heavily forested land and environmentally sensitive sites.
Doug’s formative years as a landscape and golf course architect provided him with a solid foundation in large scale land planning projects and traditional landscape architecture. He also apprenticed under the guidance of C.E. “Robbie” Robinson, one of Canada’s most respected golf course architects, who schooled Doug in the classic design principles of the renowned Stanley Thompson.
Many of Doug’s designs have been recognised with numerous design awards from several of golf’s most respected publications. Doug has also served the profession through the American Society of Golf Course Architects serving on various Committees and Boards including: the Environmental Committee, the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee and as President of the ASGCA in 2010.
ABOUT TOM MCBROOM
The Tom McBroom signature is synonymous with the design and construction of outstanding golf courses across North America and around the world. In the past 25 years he has created a legacy of classic courses distinguished by their detailed craftsmanship, sound strategy, solid routing and great beauty.
His work has stood the test of time and his courses are routinely ranked amongst the best in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and China.
Twelve of his courses are ranked in Canada’s top 100 according to Score Magazine, second only to the legendary Stanley Thompson (who has 15). Tom’s two courses in Finland are both ranked in Golf Digest’s Top 100 European courses and his Royal St. Kitts is ranked among the best in the Caribbean.
The cornerstone of his work is a profound understanding and fascination with the history and tradition of the game in combination with his own creative flair and vision. The hallmark of a McBroom course is one that is beautiful, dramatic, memorable and fun to play.
The renowned architects join forces at one of Canada’s most dramatic oceanside golf courses; new design will feature a links course and an adjacent parkland course for a total of 36 holes
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.”
###
ABOUT FOX HARB’R
The dream made reality of Canadian icon Tim Hortons’ co-founder and philanthropist, Ron Joyce, Fox Harb’r Resort flows along Nova Scotia’s sunrise side, the Northumberland Shore. Its promise, “luxury without pretension” in a uniquely private destination. Located 90 minutes drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick, this CAA/AAA Four-Diamond and Canada Select Five Star retreat also has its own 5,000 foot fully-service runway and aircraft hangar. Fox Harb’r is best known as home to one of the best-rated championship golf courses in Canada, an inspired mix of both parkland holes, and traditional links-style play. This 1,100-acre retreat also encompasses all-suite accommodations for up to 170 guests, a dedicated meeting facility, and more stand-out venues. Additional on-site activity options include the top sporting clay shooting facility on the East Coast, horseback riding, sea kayaking, boat cruises from the deep-water marina, and an award-winning spa. Rounding out this singular oceanside experience – a lighthouse, a vineyard, greenhouses, and over 16 km of nature trails. Visit www.foxharbr.com
ABOUT DOUG CARRICK
Since establishing Carrick Design in 1985, Doug has been involved in the planning, design and remodeling of more than 80 golf courses world – wide. His vast range of experience includes a wide variety of golf / residential communities, golf resorts, exclusive private clubs and pay as you play courses. Doug is also adept at dealing with the unique challenges posed by numerous different settings and landscapes including: flat barren land, mountain terrain, rocky terrain, poorly drained sites, heavily forested land and environmentally sensitive sites.
Doug’s formative years as a landscape and golf course architect provided him with a solid foundation in large scale land planning projects and traditional landscape architecture. He also apprenticed under the guidance of C.E. “Robbie” Robinson, one of Canada’s most respected golf course architects, who schooled Doug in the classic design principles of the renowned Stanley Thompson.
Many of Doug’s designs have been recognised with numerous design awards from several of golf’s most respected publications. Doug has also served the profession through the American Society of Golf Course Architects serving on various Committees and Boards including: the Environmental Committee, the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee and as President of the ASGCA in 2010.
ABOUT TOM MCBROOM
The Tom McBroom signature is synonymous with the design and construction of outstanding golf courses across North America and around the world. In the past 25 years he has created a legacy of classic courses distinguished by their detailed craftsmanship, sound strategy, solid routing and great beauty.
His work has stood the test of time and his courses are routinely ranked amongst the best in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and China.
Twelve of his courses are ranked in Canada’s top 100 according to Score Magazine, second only to the legendary Stanley Thompson (who has 15). Tom’s two courses in Finland are both ranked in Golf Digest’s Top 100 European courses and his Royal St. Kitts is ranked among the best in the Caribbean.
The cornerstone of his work is a profound understanding and fascination with the history and tradition of the game in combination with his own creative flair and vision. The hallmark of a McBroom course is one that is beautiful, dramatic, memorable and fun to play.
