As of February 2010, only eight holes had been constructed at Al Ruwaya, Tiger Woods' golf course design in Dubai. The developer says the project is "ongoing."
I think all this talk of Tiger losing his playing ability is totally overblown, but it does appear his game, for obvious reasons, has hit an indefinite rough patch.
For completely different reasons, the same seems to be true for his worldwide golf course projects.
Remember Tiger Woods Design, which he launched in 2006?
If you were looking forward to playing one of its three layouts on an upcoming golf vacation, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer.
Here’s an update on each project:
According to a recent Forbes article, “Scandal isn’t the only storm thrashing the Tiger Woods empire. The real estate meltdown, an oversaturated golf course market and bankers grown fearful and stingy have combined to stall out Woods’ ambitious golf course construction business.”
Here’s where each of his projects stands:
Al Ruwaya Golf Course, Dubai, UAE
This was the first project on Tiger Woods Design’s drawing board, and the 8,000-yard whopper was supposed to be completed last fall (and anchor a huge clubhouse, a golf school, more than 300 upscale villas and a small, luxury hotel.
Forbes says: “With only six holes completed, the bulldozers came to a halt in 2009. Woods’ website lists the completion date as ‘pending.’” In a February 2010 Bloomberg Businessweek article, Dubai Properties Group CEO Khalid Al Malik said: “We haven’t decided yet on a date for its completion or delivery to the market, but the project is ongoing.” He also said eight holes were completed.
The Cliffs at High Carolina, Asheville, North Carolina
One of six Cliffs Communities, this one announced the first Tiger Woods-designed golf course on U.S. soil. Woods’ reported architect fee was $10 million at a time when $1-$2 million was considered the high end.
Forbes says: “Three years after the project was announced, trees have been mostly cleared and the grading has just begun. One doesn’t know whether to believe the stated intention to push back the opening date (originally slated for the fall of 2011) by only six months.”
Punta Brava Golf Course, Ensenada, Mexico
Tiger Woods reportedly beat out several big-name designers (including Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, and Greg Norman) for this project located 65 miles south of San Diego on the tip of an ocean-piercing peninsula.
Initially scheduled to open in 2011, Forbes says: “Sticking points with construction permits have pushed back the opening of the course to 2012 or later.”
The economic meltdown obviously had the most to do with stalling out Tiger Woods’ golf course projects, but his recent off-course troubles certainly aren’t helping.
Given all this, I have two questions for you:
1. Which golf course, if any, do you think will be the first open for play?
2. Do you think Tiger’s game, as we’ve known it, is “done,” as so many people are saying? Or, is his off-course upheaval causing a temporary dry spell?
Please share your comments below.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Temporary. I too have had troubles in my life that have affected my ability to focus and the game suffered. With problems solved or resolved the focus and the scoring returned
I believe it will be the Cliffs at High Carolina will be finished first. Its developer Jim Anthony has worked out private financing to complete this project.
High Carolina may well get done first. Golfweek has a good article here about the new infusion of capital. Still, this money ($63-$64 million) will be spread between multiple Cliffs projects (including one by Gary Player) and don’t forget Tiger’s reported $10 million fee, the need for clubhouses and other structures, amenities, etc., etc. Golfweek reports that at High Carolina, only 46 lots have been sold in a master plan that projects as many as 1,200. Big margin to make up.
It looks like The Cliffs project might get done. A lot of talk about Tiger’s swing and consequences of being away from the game are meaningless. He wins when he putts well. He wins by a lot when he putts lights out. If his putting prowess returns, so will the victories. As for his “Brand”, those days are over!
Though I have admired his golf abilities, as a man I see him as a failure and awful role model. Without going into the tabloid infidelities, just his ‘in your face’ actions on the course and his swearing after missing a shot should be enough for any true lover of the game to take issue. And I have. I don’t wish him any bad luck, but me thinks it is time for other players to recieve some press.
As to which of his courses will open first… couldn’t care less.
The trouble Tiger’s courses are having reminds me of the attendance issues of the NBA and MLB (at least in many markets). Greedy athletes and agents along with owners who want to “win” at all costs have pushed prices up to unsustainable levels. Along the way, the fan has gotten the shaft. Unlike ball clubs, golf courses do not necessarily have built-in fan bases, so many are hurting or worse yet closing. Tiger’s design business is just one of the more conspicuous victims.
I agree with Don. It seems absolutely amazing how the PGA will suspend John Daly for his conduct, but looks the other way when it comes to the issue of Tiger Woods’ gutter mouth and language. Still today, cameras show his filthy language following golf shots he’s not happy with — and currently, that’s often. PGA Commissioner Finchem should make an example of Woods, as he did with Daly (for lesser infractions), and suspend Woods immediately. What with all the younger kids who watch him, in my opinion he does not exemplify the traditions of golf.
As to which course will open first…….who cares.
Tiger designing golf courses should raise a collective yawn. Do we really believe he’s devoting a lot of time to it? It’s interesting (and puzzling) as to how Tiger could “beat out” anyone for a property on which to design a course, seeing he has zero experience, especially when compared to the designers listed. Is this just a “name” thing? Is it impossible for an athlete to break the mold of doing everything else his successful peers do? Let’s see:
Giant house (under construction, may go to ex)
Giant boat
As many endorsements as possible
Golf course designer
What’s next, wine?
Good as gone! Even if financial picture improves–who cares?
Gotta agree with the concensus, Woods is a poor example when it comes to the traditions the game is charged with exemplifying. Honesty, courtesey, respect for others and a tradition in itself. Would I break a leg to play any course he “designs”, not on your life. While wishing him no ill will, I will not reinfource his behaviour by patronizing his products or encouraging the youth of today to be anything like him. Will he be back? I am doubtful he will regain his dominance of the game and frankly, the young tour players of today are no longer intimidated by this rather hollow player.
“Who cares?” We’re talking about golf courses designed (okay, “overseen”) by the world’s most famous and possibly greatest golfer (some say althlete, for that matter). How can you be apathetic about that? Regardless of whether you love him or hate him, and regardless of whether his courses are great or terrible, they’re going to have Tiger’s name on them, and Tiger’s name is already a significant part of golf history.
Come on guys… give Tiger a break. With cameras down your throat 24/7, the Commissioner would have to suspend not only Tiger for foul language.
He will be back winning before long.
I agree with both Craig and Derrick. We have know idea of the lifestyle he lead before all this happened. The things that were offered and given to him for free or just to be in his company. The measure of a man or anyone is how they bounce back. And I have no doubt that this man will bounce back with his golf game or as the greatest golf ever. I cannot speak about his marriage, however.
The Cliffs will open first and might be the only one to open at all. Who really cares about “his game” these days !?
I totally agree with Brian P. When it comes to giving the shaft, who knows more than Tiger?
The days of overpriced golf architecture are OVER! With so many proven golf design firms out there scrambling for work, and housing starts way down that line courses subsidize the golf, the novelty factor of Tigers name on the course will mean little. Further, he has proven himself to be a complete failure as the family man the PGA Tour prefers it’s hero’s to be. This equals zippo in the endorsement and design end of things. I am not a psychologist, but I believe Tigers failures as a human are as simple as being raised as an only child in a household that doted on his every wish, leading to a spoiled, self centered young adult who was late to mature. Had he ignored his handlers and stayed single, he could have been seen as the striking playboy, girl or two on each arm, at each tournament, got it out of his system by 35 and THEN he could have got married, for the right reasons! His other actions such as his post game interviews, simply illustrate his inward thinking, me, me, me attitude. It’s pretty simple really, he’s narcissistic. As for which course opens? Whichever one whose quiet second party developer puts the $$ in to finish. Tiger will have no influence on them from this point on.
I followed Jack when he was winning a lot. I saw him win at Cherry Hill and a few others. Golf, The Golf Channel, Golf Writers, top golfers, equiptment, apperal not to leave out the young kids that fell in love with his golf game , should say THANKS to TIGER WOODS. All those thing exist now because of him, he took golf to its hightest level. There are more Golfer that became Millinaire because of Tiger. You can be on Tour for 2 or 3 years and have NO wins, just be in the top 20 a few times and become Rich. So I say to all of you, we all have made mistakes in our lives and some of us have become a better person for that. We could not measure success if we did not have failure. ‘AND THAT IS THE REAL OF IT’