Alexander was the name of the area's most famous resident, and also of the first brigantine built at Baddeck in 1833.  Twenty-five years later a second Alexander was constructed at Washabuck by Alexander MacLean.  This 45-foot schooner along with the builder's three sons, was last seen off Big Bras d'Or on Christmas Day 1859, on route to Newfoundland.  Our tribute to shipbuilding would be incomplete without saluting the courageous young men who sailed these fine vessels.

Tip:
This classic downhill opening Par 4 hole doglegs gently to the right.  Golfers aiming slightly left of the target bunker on the right side are "on course" to find Alexander's large receptive landing area.  Be aware of your club selection on this down hill second shot.

One of Baddeck's most prominent citizens, C.J. Campbell, was the owner of the Native Lass.  Campbell, a driving force in shipbuilding at Baddeck went on to a notable career in business and politics.  His likeness is carved in stone over the door of the Old Post Office building, which is located on the main street of Baddeck.  This 72-foot schooner was built in 1851 and eventually sold to new owners in Tasmania.

Tip:
A beautiful down hill drive toward a receptive fairway will set up for an uphill second shot.  Bell Bay's smallest green is defended by a right side bunker set well below the putting surface.  You don't need to be tempted to go for pins tucked behind the bunker, as the left to right slope of the green will naturally feed your ball to those right hole locations.

The legendary Scrapper was built at Alexander Graham Bell's laboratories in Beinn Bhreagh.  Some of these buildings remain and are still visible from the middle of this spacious fairway.  Looking across the Bay, golfers are afforded a splendid view of the shoreline of Bein Bhreagh, (Gaelic for "beautiful mountain"), where many of Dr. Bell's experiments were conducted.

Tip:
Reaching this green will require two solid golf swings.  The bunkers shaping the left side of the fairway are ideal targets for proper positioning for your approach shots. The prevailing wind and uphill approach make club selection equally difficult.  Scrapper is a challenging hole and truly a great test of golf.

The first par five at Bell Bay is aptly named for the first vessel of any substantial size to be built at Baddeck.  In 1821, the 60-foot brig, Elizabeth, was constructed for Elizabeth & W.G. Brown and used to transport coal in foreign and domestic trade.  During this time the local coal mines were being operated and controlled by the British.

Tip:
The prevailing down wind, shortens this par 5 to be quite reachable, giving an opportunity for the longer hitters to get one back here.  The fairway does slope left to right, and with this in mind you will want to ensure a drive up the left side of the fairway.  Long hitters beware that the trees on the right are easily reachable.  Adjust your club selection accordingly, as the green is elevated providing a shot approximately one full club longer than the yardage indicates.  A nest of bunkers set below the putting surface guards the green, with the left bunker lurking to catch those attempting to reach the green on their second shot.

In 1882 Golden Arm became stranded at Black Rock near the entrance of Big Bras d'Or.  This 70-foot schooner was working as a local trader at the time.  Golfers may also find themselves stranded if they stray "off course" on this spectacular par four.

Tip:
This sensational dog-leg plays longer than it reads.  Tee shots played to the left tend to lengthen the uphill approach dramatically.  The right side of the fairway is the best angle to approach the small green, which is defended by heroically stacked bunkers.

In 1920 the Typhoon crossed the Atlantic in a record setting 15 days.  This locally-built 45-foot ketch was crewed by Casey Baldwin, William Nutting, and Jim Dorset.  Their amazing voyage was made entirely under sail due to engine failure only two hours into the journey.  Inside four months after it's launching, this little black yacht had sailed over 7000 miles and crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice.

Tip:
It is only fitting that strong prevailing winds routinely greet you at the tee on this lengthy par 3.  Typhoon's seven bunkers into the green create a dangerous tread-the-needle approach.  Golf shots approaching the right side of the green will filter toward the middle of the green.  You want your short game ready for this hole.

Built at MacKay's Point in 1840 the brig, Triumph was owned by one of Baddeck's most famous entrepreneurs, James Anderson.  Mr. Anderson operated the Duffus Stand, a store on Mutton Island, (now known as Kidston Island).  Anderson later moved across the harbour to Baddeck on property he acquired for one barrel of oatmeal.  There are no such deals on this short but tricky par 4.

Tip:
Triumph is a menacing little golf hole with bunkers on the inside and outside turn to protect the landing area.  A long iron may be the safer choice from the tee.

This impressive 83-foot brigantine was built at St. Ann's in 1851.  Like many Cape Breton vessels of this time period, the Paragon was mainly used in the coal trade.  Twenty years later Paragon found itself a new home in Dublin, Ireland.  Funk and Wagnall defined the word Paragon as "a model of excellence".  Need we say more about this sensational little par 3.

Tip:
Playing through a tree-lined bowl there is no bail out here.  The simple green, protected front and left, is set far below the level of the tee and slopes from left back to right front.  There is a hidden prevailing wind blowing right to left which you may notice if your tee shot sails above the tree line.

We finish up the outward nine with a tribute to a great local shipbuilder, Walter Pinaud.  As a former employee of Dr. Bell, Pinaud was instrumental in the construction of lifeboats for wartime merchant ships.  Pinaud later began his own enterprise at Baddeck, building pleasure craft such as the Albatross, a 50-foot twin-screw diesel motor yacht.

Tip:
The longer hitter should keep in mind here that an albatross is not out of the question on this deeply contoured par 5.  The left side of the fairway bunker is an ideal target off of the tee.  Avoid the large bunker to the left of the long narrow green, the back portion of which slopes away from the golfer.

The final hole to be constructed at Bell Bay is suitably named for the last vessel to be built in Baddeck during our magnificent shipbuilding era.  The launching of the Glenarchy in 1883 signified the end of the large vessels; however, the construction of small local craft continued.  Setting out on the inward nine we salute the Glenarchy and all its glorious predecessors.

Tip:
This deceiving par four is more demanding of accuracy than length.  McBroom's fairway bunkers are ideal targets off of the tee, especially when you work the ball a little left to right.  A high, soft approach shot is needed to hold this wide, yet shallow green.

This impressive 92-foot brig was built for J.A. Butler of Halifax in 1866.  Built by Robert Kerr, of St. Ann's, the Quango was outfitted with a round stern and a figurehead.  These elaborate carvings, created by local craftsmen provided vessels with character and distinction.

Tip:
Favour the left side of the fairway off the tee.  The green, which falls off sharply to the right side, provides golfers with a magnificent view of the top of Beinn Bhreagh where Dr. Bell and his wife Mable are buried.

During 1851 at Baddeck, noted shipbuilder Neil McGregor Constructed the splendid 86-foot brig, Highland Lassie.  This superbly-crafted vessel was launched with much fanfare and ceremony including pipers dancers and song.  Captain Jordan later sailed this fine ship, along with the unbelievable large number of 188 passengers, to Adelaide, Australia in 1852.

Tip:
Arguably the most outstanding golf hole on the course.  An expansive fairway allows the golfer to "rip it" off the tee.  Distant bunkers, strategically angled, set up the approach to this large undulating green.

The brig Challenger was built in 1848 by Baddeck shipbuilder Murdock MacKenzie.  The joint owner of this vessel was Duncan MacKenzie, also of Baddeck.  The year following it's launching the Challenger was lost at sea during a voyage from Sydney to Boston.  A water grave also looms large for misguided golf balls on this adventurous par five.

Tip:
An extremely enjoyable hole which places a high premium on course management.  Big hitters may reach this long, narrow green in two.  If hit long enough the fairway bunker can be driven over leaving the perfect midiron second shot to reach the green in two.  The water is over 300 yards off the tee, which allow all players to play it safe.  Challenger should yield many birdies providing golfers stay "on course".

The locally-owned Spray, the fourth vessel to sail to New Zealand with the followers of Rev. Norman MacLeod, carried 66 passengers on its five-month voyage.  Remarkably, four people were born onboard this 77-foot brigantine during the 1857 expedition.  Of the six vessels used in MacLeod expeditions, four were built in Cape Breton.

Tip:
Outstanding par 3's is the standard at Bell Bay, with this classic being no exception.  It affords little room for error so try not to "spray" your tee shot to either side of this long narrow green.  Prevailing winds in your face will force you to be creative with your decision and shot making.

In 1845 the brigantine Perseverance was built at Baddeck by Hugh Matheson, and was later re-rigged as a schooner.  Golfers may also feel like adjusting their own "rigging" before attempting to reach this small green in two shots.

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Bell Bay's Final Four finishing sequence begins with a golf hole as unique as it is difficult.  This par four requires the most demanding tee shot on the golf course as you are working to leave yourself the best opportunity on a very demanding second shot.  A big second shot is required to traverse the gully where green sits perched on the other side.  The green is shallow forcing action on the ball for it to stop.  The right edge of the green falls sharply away if missed into a hazard.  One of Canada's best golf holes.

The Argyle, built at Baddeck in 1854, represents the second hole in this magnificent finishing sequence.  This early brigantine was created at the shipyard of Donald MacLean.  The Scottish ancestry of these shipbuilders played an influential role in the naming of these spectacular vessels.  Argyle, a town in Scotland, is a clear example of that trend.

Tip:
Bell Bay's shortest, yet most stunning par 4 is routed through a densely wooded fissure.  Its' wide landing area narrows drastically beyond the 150 pole making club selection crucial.  An iron, hybrid or lofted fairway metal is a safe play.  Those who need to make a move or simply look forward to a little excitement can hit driver to the neck of this green, but a word to the wise you will want to be on the left side of the fairway.

During the 19th Century, the steamer Banshee, became the first - lake boat to service the Baddeck area.  This 1851 paddle-wheeler provided a freighter service between the ports of Baddeck and Sydney.  The name Banshee is from a female spirit in Gaelic folklore whose wailing would warn a clan of danger.  If you happen to hear her cry, take heed, for this stunning little par 3 is fraught with peril.

Tip:
Visual intimidation is the theme here at Banshee.  The tees are benched into the hillside and overlook a spectacular wooded creek ravine.  The green slopes gently from back to front.  Be sure to check your yardage on the block located in the tee deck of each tee to confirm your yardage as the tee locations will fluctuate.

Experts have claimed this 101-foot Barque to be the largest and best vessel ever built at Baddeck. The same adjectives are commonly used to describe the 18th at Bell Bay.  The Bradalbane was instrumental in the Rev. Norman MacLeod expeditions to New Zealand in 1857.  The long and picturesque journey from tee to green here is somewhat symbolic of these legendary voyages.  We conclude this masterful finishing sequence by showcasing architectural brilliance in harmony with nature.

Tip:
After momentarily admiring the panoramic splendor provided at the 18th tee, golfers are advised to "let out the sails" with the driver, while allowing the prevailing winds to guide them home. the right edge of the fairway bunker on the left side is not reachable and is a great target.  On the approach to the green any balls entering the woods on the right side of the fairway through the green, will fall into a deep gorge, which is not a hazard.