The Cabot founder reveals how his first U.S. property reimagines Florida golf, balancing nature with luxury lifestyle experiences.
Ben Cowan-Dewar, founder and CEO of Cabot, sat down during a media visit to Cabot Citrus Farms near Brooksville, Florida, to discuss the company’s first U.S. project, its global portfolio, and the philosophy behind creating golf destinations rather than typical resort developments.
From World Woods to Cabot Citrus Farms
Cabot Citrus Farms represents a significant milestone for the Canadian developer. Cowan-Dewar first visited the property when it operated as World Woods in 1999 and attempted to acquire it multiple times before finally succeeding three years ago.
“I always loved it,” Cowan-Dewar explained. “I love the location. I love the land. I love the landscape. So it was pretty amazing to be able to have the chance to do it.”
The approximately 1,200-acre site in Citrus County presented a unique advantage compared to other Cabot projects. “Florida was the easiest place to develop and do business,” Cowan-Dewar noted, contrasting it with his first venture, Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, launched 21 years ago. “When we went there, we had to assemble all of these pieces of land, build the road, do all of the infrastructure. Here, all of that was already in place—including a maintenance building and a pump station.”
Despite the existing infrastructure, the site required significant reimagining. The natural landscape—featuring 100 feet of elevation and 1,000-year-old mossy oaks—distinguished Cabot Citrus Farms from typical Florida developments. Architect Kyle Franz redesigned the courses with a philosophy rooted in nature preservation rather than real estate maximization.
“Most Florida golf is flat, and they dig ponds to create elevation,” Cowan-Dewar explained. “We have 100 feet of elevation and these majestic oaks. Our job was rooting it in the nature of the place and not interfering with it.”
Design Philosophy and Owner Involvement
Cowan-Dewar’s involvement in golf course design extends beyond typical ownership. A former golf journalist and member of the World Top 100 panel for 25 years, he has played most of the world’s great courses. This background shapes his detailed engagement with architects.
“I grew up drawing golf holes. I wanted to be a golf architect,” Cowan-Dewar said. “Thankfully, I realized I was better suited to be a developer. But I’ve been really involved in all the golf we do, and I love it.”
Renowned architect Tom Doak recently told Cowan-Dewar that he was “by far the most involved owner” he had ever worked with—a comment Cowan-Dewar received as a compliment. This hands-on approach reflects his belief that the golf experience drives the entire venture.
“Once the course is done, architects spend so much less time, and we end up owning it forever,” Cowan-Dewar explained. “Really, it’s the guest experience that, for me, was why I did it. I love golf. I love travel.”
At Cabot Citrus Farms, the two 18-hole courses—the Roost and Karoo—showcase this philosophy. The Karoo features exposed sand mines and sandy scrub vegetation, while the Roost transitions to mossy oak landscapes. Both reflect the underlying geological formations created when the gulf receded thousands of years ago.
A Vision Beyond Golf
The property extends well beyond the fairways. Cabot Citrus Farms features residential cottages designed as a village rather than lining individual holes—a departure from typical Florida developments where homes surround every hole. The site also includes the Sporting Club, offering axe throwing, archery, and clay shooting “under these majestic trees,” as Cowan-Dewar described it.
“What you see in the village that we’ve built is a beauty and an elegance of a little village that doesn’t mean every hole is lined with homes,” Cowan-Dewar said. “When people drive up from Tampa for the first time, they say, ‘It doesn’t feel like Florida.’ And that’s people who live an hour away.”
The property’s new logo celebrates its location as the citrus capital of the world, incorporating a tangerine motif. Cowan-Dewar noted that the rebrand resonated with the local community, honoring Florida’s agricultural heritage.
Site Selection and Global Expansion
Cowan-Dewar’s approach to identifying new Cabot locations relies heavily on intuition. “I almost always know within 15 minutes,” he said, reflecting on having evaluated hundreds of sites worldwide. His decision-making balances practical considerations—proximity to his base in Toronto and his customer base—with emotional connection to place.
“It’s like buying a house,” he explained. “You just know you get that right feeling in terms of the land and where you are.”
The Cabot portfolio now spans North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Beyond Citrus Farms, properties include Cabot Cape Breton (Nova Scotia), Cabot Saint Lucia, Cabot Revelstoke (British Columbia), Cabot Highlands (Scotland), Cabot Bordeaux (France), and Lofoten Links (Norway). Old Petty, a new course in Scotland designed by Tom Doak, opens this year.
When asked about future aspirations, Cowan-Dewar remained measured. “I have lots of irons in the fire,” he said, noting that acquiring World Woods took persistence—he first attempted the purchase in 2008 before finalizing it in 2021.
He acknowledged considering sites in Asia and South America but emphasized geographic practicality. “Some of it is just practically where our customer base is. We really focus on North America and Europe,” he said. “I can go see Lofoten and Bordeaux and Cabot Islands in a week, and that’s a reasonably easy trip.”
Host Events and the Future
Cowan-Dewar has hosted tournaments at Cabot properties but remains selective about professional events. Instead, he has prioritized amateur tournaments that align with his customer base.
“With no disrespect to the professionals, they don’t pay for green fees,” Cowan-Dewar said. “Our customer base loves playing golf. I’d love to host something special, but not just to host a tournament for ego.”
He emphasized that tour professionals who visit Cabot properties on holidays often demonstrate a genuine passion for golf that extends beyond their professional obligations.
Looking forward, Cowan-Dewar expressed cautious optimism about expansion. Revelstoke will complete construction this year, while Old Petty opens its inaugural season in Scotland. Beyond those projects, several developments remain in planning stages, though he declined to specify details.
When asked to choose a favorite among his properties, Cowan-Dewar returned to his philosophy: “I have three children, so I don’t do that with them either.” He noted that genuine enthusiasm for returning to each property serves as his true barometer. “If I ever got to a place where I didn’t really want to go, I’d know I’d made a mistake. And I don’t feel like that ever.”