The Architects

Rod Whitman is a celebrated Canadian golf course architect known for his minimalist, hands-on approach to course design. Growing up in Ponoka, Alberta, Whitman launched his career under legendary architect Pete Dye and later collaborated with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw—experiences that shaped his strategic and naturalistic design philosophy. He gained early acclaim with his first solo project, Wolf Creek Golf Resort, and has since designed several of Canada’s top-ranked courses, including Cabot Links in Nova Scotia, Blackhawk Golf Club in Alberta, and Sagebrush in British Columbia.

Whitman’s work is defined by a deep respect for the land, with a focus on routing courses that follow natural contours and emphasize thoughtful shot-making. Drawing inspiration from classic links courses in Scotland and Ireland, as well as from Golden Age architects like Alister MacKenzie, Whitman prioritizes simplicity, strategy, and walkability. His personal involvement in shaping every detail—often operating heavy equipment himself—ensures that each course is crafted with authenticity and artistic integrity. Now working through his firm, Whitman, Axland & Cutten (WAC Golf), he continues to influence modern golf course architecture with projects like Cabot Pacific in Revelstoke, B.C.

Mike Nuzzo will lead the re-design of the current short course and practice facilities, as well as the design of The Squeeze at Cabot Citrus Farms. With the goal of creating enjoyable courses that inspire people to play, Nuzzo is best known as the designer of Wolf Point Club in Port Lavacca – the number one golf course in Texas. Mike has also been involved in renovating and improving a 100-year-old club in Long Island and an exclusive private club in Houston. Additionally, he led the redesign of Memorial Park with Tom Doak, a municipal course in Houston that is the current host of the Houston Open.

Nuzzo favors original and interesting golf holes unlike any he’s seen before, especially when they blend into the environment. As a former aerospace design engineer who launched satellite antennas to Mars and into geosynchronous orbits, Nuzzo has spent the past 20 years bringing a rigorous perspective to the efficiency and creativity of golf course design.

Kyle Franz will lead the renovation of Karoo, a previous mainstay on the World Top 100 list. Kyle is an accomplished golf course architect, consultant, builder, and project manager with over 20 years of experience. Another familiar face to Cabot, Kyle worked with Rod Whitman to bring Cabot Links at Cabot Cape Breton to life. He has played a key role creating several of the most innovative and acclaimed courses featured in American and World Top 100 rankings, including Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Oregon and Barnbougle Dunes in Australia. Kyle acted as an onsite representative throughout the building of the 2016 Olympics Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for Hanse Golf Design. Kyle’s project as architect at Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club won the 2013 Golf Magazine Resort Renovation of the Year Award.

GOLF Magazine’s architecture editor Ran Morrissett will work as a golf course architecture advisor to both Franz and Nuzzo at Cabot Citrus Farms. For 40 years, Ran Morrissett has been hooked on golf course architecture. The North Carolina-based writer Morrissett started studying the topic seriously for Golf Club Atlas, a website he founded with his brother.

Growing up, his family of four would travel to world-class courses abroad in England and Scotland, or places closer to home such as Harbour Town in Hilton Head, South Carolina, or Pinehurst No. 2, a 1907 design by famed course architect Donald Ross in North Carolina. It was during these vacations that comparing and contrasting golf courses became a tradition. Cut to decades later, and Morrissett has made it his own unconventional career.