Highlands Links facts for kids
The Cape Breton Highlands Links golf course is a famous place to play golf in Nova Scotia, Canada. It's a public course, meaning anyone can play there! You can find it near Ingonish Beach inside the beautiful Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Parks Canada owns this special golf course, and Golf North helps run it.
History of the Course
A famous golf course designer named Stanley Thompson created Highlands Links. He was hired during a tough time called the Great Depression. This was a period in the 1930s when many people didn't have jobs. Building the golf course helped create work for people.
The course first had nine holes. But soon, it was made bigger to have 18 holes. Work on the course started in 1939. It was ready for golfers to play in 1941.
Over the years, the course has changed a little bit. Things like golf cart paths were added. Also, plants and trees grew, changing how some parts looked. In 2008, an expert named Ian Andrew was hired. His job was to help bring back the course's original design. He used old photos and records to guide the work. In 2011, after a big storm, they started fixing the sand bunkers.
Course Design and Layout
Cape Breton Highlands Links has 18 holes. It is a "par 72" course. This means a good golfer is expected to finish the course in 72 strokes. The course also has "slope ratings" between 120 and 140. This number helps golfers know how hard a course might be for them.
Amazing Golf Course Rankings
Highlands Links is known as one of the best golf courses! Here are some of its top rankings:
- In 2002, Scoregolf magazine said it was the best golf course in all of Canada.
- In 2003, Golf Digest magazine ranked it the 64th best golf course in the world.
- In 2007, Golf Magazine rated it the 38th best golf course in the world.
- In 2013, Links Magazine ranked it the 66th best golf course in the world.
- In 2013, Golf Digest also ranked it the 7th best golf course in Canada.
See also
