The vision of Cobble Beach is the dream of Willis McLeese. Both Willis and son Rob McLeese were committed to creating an environmentally sound, beautiful and pleasing state-of-the-art golf course community based on their belief that “the purpose of life is living in agreement with nature.”
With world-renowned Pebble Beach providing the inspiration, and the assistance of course architect Doug Carrick and a team of leading planners, engineers and environmental consultants, Cobble Beach Golf Resort Community is well on it’s way to achieving their goals.
The History of the Land
The Cobble Beach Golf Links project was initiated in 1999, with a development plan that was sensitive to the interest of the Chippewa’s of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the historical significance of the site. In 1999, a significant three-year cultural and archaeological study was undertaken and endorsed by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation – the most comprehensive study of its kind in Grey County.
The study identified 26 Native and Euro-Canadian archaeological sites within the 574-acres property. Although local legend might have suggested otherwise, a ground-penetrating radar survey confirmed, there was no evidence the land contained the gravesite of Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequa). In order to permanently safeguard the most culturally sensitive of these archaeological sites (including homestead ruins, artifact scatters and cultural rock formations), a series of 13 heritage zones were established before construction of the golf course began in the summer of 2004. Trails marked by heritage sites explore the area’s Native culture and Euro-Canadian heritage, reflecting Cobble Beach’s commitment to preserving the land and its history.
Cobble Beach’s iconic lighthouse near the 17th green and 18th tee on the shoreline of Georgian Bay is another tribute to the history of the area. It is a testament to the historic and old-world nature of the property that dates back to 1803 when the British admiralty used two spots along the Georgian Bay shoreline at Cobble Beach as survey points.
During the five year planning period between conception and groundbreaking for the project, Cobble Beach engaged the community in extensive consultations seeking their input. The result is a world-class development for which the area can be proud.
