News Release

For Immediate Release
July 30, 2002


Cape Breton Island Makes Impact as Canada's Highest Ranked Golf Destination

SYDNEY, NS - With recent accolades in the ScoreGolf ranking of Canada's Top One Hundred Courses and a new funding program for marketing, Cape Breton Island's Fabulous Foursome golf courses are enjoying a wave of positive news that should translate into more golfers visiting the Island.

In the recently released ScoreGolf rankings, the publication's panel of Canadian golf experts and rankers gave high marks to the signature courses of the Fabulous Foursome - Highlands Links and Bell Bay Golf Club. Highlands Links placed second in the Top One Hundred and was further recognized as #1 in the Best Value category and #9 in Best Conditioning. Bell Bay Golf Club, in its first year of eligibility for the rankings, made a huge impact as it was recognized as the "Most Underrated Course in Canada", while making its debut on the Top 100 list at #56. With the combined rankings and other accolades, Cape Breton Island could be considered the highest ranked golf destination in Canada. 

"With 2000 golf courses operating across Canada, we are indeed fortunate to be well respected by the golfers from both near and far who we serve every year," says Tom Forsythe, Chair of Cape Breton=s Fabulous Foursome. "The continued recognition of Highlands Links in these rankings, accompanied by the great reviews of Bell Bay, demonstrates the strength of the golf product Cape Breton has to offer."

The news of these rankings was greeted by the approval of a new four-year funding agreement for the Fabulous Foursome from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC). ECBC will contribute $300,000 to a $600,000 marketing program that will promote Cape Breton Island as one of Canada's premier golf destinations.

“This initiative can only strengthen and enhance Cape Breton as a golf destination ensuring that the Government of Canada’s investment will reflect a marked, long-term increase in our tourism economy,” said Mark Eyking, M.P. for Sydney-Victoria, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ECBC. “The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Fabulous Foursome to promote Cape Breton Island.”

“Cape Breton has clearly positioned itself as one of the leaders in providing our visitors with one of the most unique, quality golf experiences in the Maritimes,” quoted Rodger Cuzner, M.P. for Bras d’Or-Cape Breton, also speaking on behalf of Minister Byrne.

The new marketing program will build upon the success of the previous three-year program, which had a tremendous impact on the Island's tourism industry. In an economic impact assessment recently completed by MYRS Consulting, it was estimated that the Fabulous Foursome marketing program had a cumulative economic impact of $32.3 million over the past three years. The economic impact in 2001 alone was measured at $12.6 million. The result is that a strong and vibrant niche tourism market has been developed on the Island.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Smith or Eleanor Anderson
Icon Communications & Research Inc. (Fabulous Foursome Marketing Agency)
Tel: 902-539-0044
Fax: 902-539-0045
info@golfcapebreton.com

Peter A. H. Graham, Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Office of Mark Eyking, M.P.
Sydney-Victoria
Tel: (902) 567-6275

Office of Rodger Cuzner, M.P. 
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton 
Tel.: (902) 842-9763
Fax: (902) 842-9025

D.A. Landry 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-3617