$1.1B Tiger Woods Dubai course plan 'on track'

August 25, 2008Recommend

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates---- Tiger Woods is already the world's top-ranked golfer and highest paid athlete. And if all goes according to plan, he'll soon be sporting his biggest trophy yet: a luxury golf course hewn from the sands of the Arabian desert.

The ambitious project, touted as the first course in the world designed by the 2008 U.S. Open champion, remains a work in progress on the outskirts of this Middle Eastern boomtown -- much like the rapidly growing city itself.

But the project's chief said Monday that the first phase of the development, which among other unlikely features promises 5 million square feet of locally grown grass and more than 30,000 full-grown imported trees, is on target for completion sometime in the last three months of 2009.

''Our schedule is currently on track,'' Abdulla Al Gurg said in an interview with The Associated Press.

However, Gurg did leave the Dubai-based developer Tatweer some wiggle room in case the city's notorious work delays snag one of its most high-profile projects, adding: ''Our key criteria is adherence to excellence.''

Tatweer is a division of Dubai Holding, which is owned by the emirate and its ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The golf course project, known as The Tiger Woods Dubai, will be part of a massive theme-park complex known as Dubailand the company is building on barren desert along the edge of the city.

Gurg said the company is spending 4 billion dirhams -- about $1.09 billion -- to build the course and the surrounding housing development.

He wouldn't say how much Woods was being paid.

Gurg spoke following an event to showcase the project at a glitzy beachfront hotel just down the road from a man-made marina surrounded by dozens of skyscrapers, many still under construction.

Full-page ads in Emirates newspapers have been trying to entice local buyers to consider one of the 197 so-called palaces, mansions and villas that will flank the course.

The project's first stage will consist of the 18-hole, par 72 course itself, as well as a golf academy and a driving range. A hotel and most of the gated housing community should be finished by the second or third quarter of 2010, Gurg said.

On Monday, Woods paid his first visit to the construction site since a June knee surgery sidelined him for the rest of the 2008 season. He said he didn't know when he might return to play next year.

''It's frustrating for me,'' he said when asked about the injury. Woods didn't rule out defending his title as Dubai Desert Classic champion, adding that he plans to ''be hitting golf balls at the beginning of the year.''

Despite its dry, desert climate -- temperatures on Monday hovered around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius -- Dubai is rapidly becoming a major golfing destination.

The city, which is banking on tourism to diversify its economy, each year hosts the Dubai Desert Classic and Dubai Ladies Masters.

Woods said he drew inspiration for his first course from clubs in the ''sandbelt'' golfing region near Melbourne, Australia. ''We want this golf course to play fast, quick,'' he said, while remaining appealing to a broad range of players.

Woods is not the only golfer laying out links in Dubai.

An 18-hold course designed by Colin Montgomerie was launched in 2006, and another by Ernie Els opened earlier this year. Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia, Pete Dye and Vijay Singh are also working on courses scheduled to open this year or next.

Dubai developers have tapped other marquis names as well, as they struggle to make their projects stand out in an increasingly crowded real-estate market.

Donald Trump last week hosted a star-studded bash to tout plans for a new hotel on the first of three palm-shaped islands being built in the Persian Gulf.

Brad Pitt has signed on to help design a hotel of his own, while Giorgio Armani is outfitting apartments in the unfinished Burj Dubai, already the world's tallest building. And last month, a Dubai investment company announced that fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld will design homes on a man-made ''fashion island'' off the city's coast.

Plans for Woods' course were first made public more than a year and a half ago. But as the project and a number of other high-profile developments near completion, fears are growing that Dubai's soaring property market may be due for a correction.

Morgan Stanley recently predicted the city could face a supply glut by next year that could drive property values down by 10 percent. At the same time, the government is widening a probe into alleged corruption of a handful of prominent local companies, including some with ties to the real estate sector.

But Gurg said he wasn't worried Dubai market concerns could make it difficult to fill the high-end houses around the golf course. After all, he said, it's not everywhere homeowners can say their backyard has been designed by Woods himself.

''The Tiger Woods Dubai is catering toward a niche market,'' Gurg said, adding that the developers were in no hurry but were ''focused on quality'' to attract potential residents to the 197 exclusive housings.

Hhmm wow

I doubt i would get to play there but would love to. If it works out as it is planned it will be an awesome resort but most definitely for the uber-rich market. This just takes the "pro golfer designing a course" to a new level.

Nice one Tiger

in a country that has very little fresh water they are going to be watering grass?

ehuffnsd said:

R Kelly.

ehuffnsd said:

They think they can do anything in Dubai. it's gonna be scary/funny when they realize they can't.

how fitting they're in a desert being that it's all a mirage.

ehuffnsd said:

Outdoor turf golf course

Have you guys seen any of the courses already in Dubai and the middle east? They are amazing.

ehuffnsd said:

There is enough water in the UAE's, it is not an issue.

mdiver said:

Yes, though not in person

I am against all golf courses.

shanti0608 said:

shanti0608 said:

You suck

mdiver said:

Thank you.

Has anyone played Greg Norman's Exuma, championship 18-hole course ?

Mach said:

Nope, but i have played a couple of Seve's and Nick Faldo's

mdiver said:

Which courses ?

I have been to many here in the states with my Dad ( who was semi pro when he was younger ) before his back injury.

We did a tournament in California when I was around 13 I'll have to look up that course name. He used to take me to the Matsers when he could

I love golf

I've played Ile Aux Cerfs on Mauritius, designed by Bernhard Langer and easily the most ridiculous course I've ever played!

abierman said:

NICE !!

I went to two big important famous golf tournaments in Florida. Cannot recall which ones or what they were called.
The ppl I was with were excited.



I do not like what gold courses do to the environment, goes against my moral fibers.

Mach said:

Seve

Alhaurin Golf course Spain
Murcia Golf Course Spain

Faldo

http://www.charthills.co.uk/
He also had a hand in some holes at Celtic Manor which is awesome

Ernie Els was involved here where i have played too

http://www.wentworthclub.com/

My favourite course is this one where the Ryder cup in 2002 (the delayed 2001) one was played, i love this course ...playing a tournament there on 11th Sept

http://www.top100golfcour...asp?id=106

shanti0608 said:

:treehugger:

mdiver said:

I have been called worse.

mdiver said:

Very cool

Lots of history @ Wentworth

Mach said:

Awesome course

mdiver said:

Pebble Beach course in Ca is a wonderful one as well

Here are USA's top courses - so you know what state to move to or close to


1 Bethpage State Park Golf Course - Black Course Farmingdale, NY
2 Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta National Course Augusta, GA
3 Pine Valley Golf Club - Pine Valley Course Clementon, NJ
4 Kearney Hill Links - Kearney Hill Links Course Lexington, KY
5 Riviera Country Club - Riviera Course Pacific Palisades, CA
6 World Woods Golf Club - Pine Barrens Course Brooksville, FL
7 Koolau Golf Club - Koolau Course Kaneohe, HI
8 Tobacco Road Golf Course - Tobacco Road Course Sanford, NC
9 Calusa Pines Golf Club - Calusa Pines Course Naples, FL
10 Baywood Greens - Woodside Course Long Neck, DE
11 The Golf Course At Glen Mills - Glen Mills Course Glen Mills, PA
12 Bay Hill Club & Lodge - Championship Course Orlando, FL
13 Golf Club of South Georgia - Sunsweet Hills Course Tifton, GA
14 Pinehurst Resort & Country Club - #2 Course Pinehurst, NC
15 Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Caledonia Course Pawleys Island, SC
16 Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club - Copperhead Course Palm Harbor, FL
17 Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Dunes Course Bandon, OR
18 Pennsauken Country Club - Pennsauken Course Pennsauken, NJ
19 Dauphin Highlands Golf Course - Dauphin Highlands Course Harrisburg, PA
20 Cypress Point Club - Cypress Point Course Pebble Beach, CA
21 Fossil Trace Golf Club - Fossil Course Golden, CO
22 The Grand Bear - Grand Bear Course Saucier, MS
23 Branson Creek Golf Club - Branson Creek Course Branson, MO
24 Diamond Creek - Diamond Creek Course Banner Elk, NC
25 TPC of Boston At Great Woods - TPC of Boston Course Norton, MA
26 Oak Quarry Golf Club - Oak Quarry Course Riverside, CA
27 Stoneybrook West - Stoneybrook West Course Winter Garden, FL
28 Pasatiempo Golf Club - Pasatiempo Course Santa Cruz, CA
29 Farm Neck Golf Club - Farm Neck Course Oak Bluffs, MA
30 Spyglass Hill Golf Course - Spyglass Hill Course Pebble Beach, CA
31 Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club - Arcadia Bluffs Course Arcadia, MI
32 Old Sandwich Golf Club - Old Sandwich Course Plymouth, MA
33 Eagle Point Golf Club - Eagle Point Course Wilmington, NC
34 Kapalua Golf Club - Plantation Course Lahaina, HI
35 Mountain Ranch Golf Club - Mountain Ranch Course Fairfield Bay, AR
36 Pecan Valley Golf Club - Pecan Valley Course San Antonio, TX
37 Magnolia Plantation Golf Club - Magnolia Course Lake Mary, FL
38 True Blue Plantation - True Blue Course Pawleys Island, SC
39 Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Ridge 9 Course Lakewood, NJ
40 Bel-Air Country Club - Bel-Air Course Los Angeles, CA
41 Crystal Downs Country Club - Crystal Downs Course Frankfort, MI
42 TPC at Sawgrass - Stadium Course Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
43 Oyster Bay Golf Links - Oyster Bay Course Sunset Beach, NC
44 Westchester Country Club - West Course Rye, NY
45 Golf Club At North Hampton - North Hampton Course Fernandina Beach, FL
46 Cleghorn Plantation Golf Club - Cleghorn Plantation Course Rutherfordton, NC
47 Tour 18 Golf Course Houston - Tour 18 Course Humble, TX
48 Oakmont Country Club - Oakmont Course Oakmont, PA
49 Trilogy Golf Club At Glen Ivy - Trilogy Course Corona, CA
50 FarmLinks Golf Club - FarmLinks Course Sylacauga, AL
51 Atlantic City Country Club - Atlantic City Course Northfield, NJ
52 Merion Golf Club - East Course Ardmore, PA
53 Grayhawk Golf Club - Raptor Course Scottsdale, AZ
54 The Wynn Golf Club - Wynn Course Las Vegas, NV
55 El Dorado Park Golf Course - El Dorado Park Course Long Beach, CA
56 The Club at Eaglebrook - Eaglebrook Course Lakeland, FL
57 Eagle Eye Golf Club - Eagle Eye Course East Lansing, MI
58 Bayside Resort Golf Club - Bayside Course Selbyville, DE
59 Shingle Creek Golf Club - Shingle Creek Course Orlando, FL
60 Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge - Panther Lake Course Winter Garden, FL
61 Fishers Island Club - Fishers Island Course Fishers Island, NY
62 Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes Course Bandon, OR
63 Diamondback Golf Club - Diamond Back Course Haines City, FL
64 Scotland Run Golf Club - Scotland Run Course Williamstown, NJ
65 Somerset Country Club - Somerset Course Mendota Heights, MN
66 The Legends At Parris Island - Legends Course Parris Island, SC
67 Westdale Hills Golf Course - Westdale Hills Course Euless, TX
68 Admiral Baker Golf Course - North Course San Diego, CA
69 Marcus Pointe Golf Club - Marcus Pointe Course Pensacola, FL
70 Talamore Golf Club - Talamore Course Southern Pines, NC
71 Del Monte Golf Course - Del Monte Course Monterey, CA
72 Greystone Golf Course - Greystone Course White Hall, MD
73 The Country Club At Deer Run - Deer Run Course Casselberry, FL
74 Muirfield Village Golf Club - Muirfield Village Course Dublin, OH
75 East Valley Golf Club - Champions Course Beaumont, CA
76 The Links At Madison Green - Madison Green Course Royal Palm Beach, FL
77 Torrey Pines Golf Course - South Course La Jolla, CA
78 Mid South Club - Mid South Course Southern Pines, NC
79 Old North State Club - Old North State Course New London, NC
80 Westchester Hills Golf Club - Westchester Hills Course White Plains, NY
81 Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach Golf Links Course Pebble Beach, CA
82 Fox Chapel Golf Club - Fox Chapel Course Pittsburgh, PA
83 Aronimink Golf Club - Aronimink Course Newtown Square, PA
84 Grande Pines Golf Club - Grand Pines Course Orlando, FL
85 Kiawah Island Resort - Ocean Course Kiawah Island, SC
86 PGA Golf Club in PGA Village - Dye Course Port Saint Lucie, FL
87 Waterlefe Golf & River Club - Waterlefe Course Bradenton, FL
88 Chicago Golf Club - Chicago Course Wheaton, IL
89 Empire Lakes Golf Course - Empire Lakes Course Rancho Cucamonga, CA
90 DeBell Golf Course - De Bell Course Burbank, CA
91 General Old Golf Course - General Old Course Riverside, CA
92 Trump National Golf Course - Trump National Course Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
93 Shady Canyon Golf Club - Shady Canyon Course Irvine, CA
94 Blessings Golf Club - Blessings Course Fayetteville, AR
95 Split Rail Links and Golf Club - Split Rail Course Aledo, TX
96 Navy Golf Course - Navy Course Cypress, CA
97 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club - Shinnecock Hills Course Southampton, NY
98 Lakeside Golf Club - Lakeside Course Burbank, CA
99 Oak Hill Country Club - East Course Rochester, NY
100 Sand Hills Golf Course - Sand Hills Course Mullen, NE

Mach said:

I wanna play that one and Augusta

mdiver said:

I Augusta and not just the course

I used to go there once a yr for years to the National Riening ( horse ) trials and stay a 4 day weekend

Mach said:

Maybe i should bring my clubs next time i visit the US