by Joe Passov
Tiger Woods coming off a highly successful comeback continues to turn his attention to building golf courses.
Woodannounced on his website recently that he will team with Donald Trump to craft a new 18-hole championship course for Trump World Golf Club Dubai. The new course will be located within the 55 million square-foot master community of Akoya Oxygen, a Trump Organization/DAMAC Properties collaboration. Coincidence or not, the new course will be mostly located on the site of his aborted first design, Al Ruwaya, that was abandoned before completion in 2009.
“Hussain (Sajwani), my good friend and chairman of DAMAC, acquired this huge piece of land,” Trump told Golf.com. “He’s one of the world’s great developers and he wanted this project to exceed every expectation. When we discussed the golf course architect, we agreed that there was only one choice: Tiger Woods. The original course had a great deal of promise, but was derailed by the world economic crisis. The new course will be largely Tiger’s original design, but it will be upgraded in every way.”
Woods, who capped off a successful year by winning the 2018 Tour Championship indicated his enthusiasm for the project.
“I can’t wait to see this stunning project come to life,” said Woods on his website. “Dubai is fast becoming one of the most influential golfing destinations in the world, both for the professional game and for amateurs looking to enjoy the great weather, great courses and amazing lifestyle. We plan to create a distinct and memorable golf course that players of all abilities find enjoyable. I’m looking forward to adding to the great courses of Dubai.”
This will be the Trump Organization and DAMAC’s second golf co-venture in Dubai. The first, featuring a Gil Hanse design, is scheduled to open in November 2015 and is located approximately 15 minutes driving time from the Woods project. Both courses will be open to public play, via a resort hotel component that will complement the real estate offerings.
