Woods inks Dubai deal

Dubai: Tiger Woods, the world's number one golfer, yesterday said he will design a world-class golf community - The Tiger Woods-Dubai - with Tatweer, part of the Dubai government's investment arm Dubai Holding.

The Tiger Woods-Dubai, scheduled for completion in late 2009, will cover an area of 25.3 million square feet at Dubailand.

The Tiger Woods-Dubai will be an exclusive golf community that will include Al Ruwaya - a Tiger Woods designed Golf course, professionally-staffed golf academy; a 60,000-square-foot clubhouse with the latest amenities and comforts; an 80-suite boutique hotel for VIP guests; 300 luxury villas; 20 mansions and a community retail area.

"It's a new stepping stone in my career. It's something that I've wanted to do but I haven't felt that timing has been right. I wasn't experienced enough yet. Ten years as a professional and the things I've experienced have allowed me to feel that the time is right now," Woods told Gulf News yesterday.

"I've talked to every single golf course adviser out there for advice. It's about going through a learning experience, but I've got a wonderful consultant here.

"This is something I've always dreamt of having the opportunity to do. As a kid, I always dreamt of creating something that people will cherish and want to come back to again and again."

Al Ruwaya will be a 7,700 yards, par 72 championship-quality course, embodying Woods' vision of the ideal course design. The course will include dramatic elevation changes, lush landscaping, stunning water features and an overall design program that will challenge and entertain golfers of all playing abilities.

"Why Dubai? Because I am excited about the challenge of transforming a desert terrain into a world-class golf course," said Woods. "I have a vision of creating something that is uniquely mine - from the detailed layout of each hole to the Mediterranean architecture to the top-line gym equipment in the clubhouse - unlike anything else. And through my partnership with Tatweer, I want to realise this vision in Dubai."

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Executive Chairman of Dubai Holding, said: "This initiative reinforces the great development pace that Dubai has achieved within diverse domains to become one of the most recognised cities in the world."

"When I first started playing golf I made a point that I would play all over the world. I would travel to every continent and play as many competitions as possible before designing my own course. I finally feel that I've had the experience, understanding and knowledge to provide a course that will always be remembered here in Dubai," he said.

"There are so many landmarks in Dubai. I hope that one day people will come and consider this golf course on that scale.

"The course will have lush vegetation and running streams. It will be a fast golf course that will be challenging and fun. There are five different tees [varying the length] so everyone can enjoy the course."