World number one golfer and the highest paid athlete in the world, Tiger Woods will also be able to add namesake to a 1.1 billion dollar golf course on the outskirts of Dubai.This course will be the first designed by Woods and will feature in the massive theme-park complex 'Dubailand'. The course is scheduled to open in the final 3 months of 2009. Woods derived inspiration for his monolith from the sand-belt courses of Melbourne Australia, which are notorious for being fast.
The project's chief, Abdulla Al Gurg said Monday "Our schedule is currently on track, our key criteria is adherence to excellence." The project's first stage will consist of the 18-hole, par 72 course, as well as a golf academy and a driving range. A hotel and a gated housing community should be finished by the second or third quarter of 2010, Gurg said.
Woods paid his first visit to the site Monday. During the press conference, he did not rule out the possibility of defending his title as Dubai Desert Classic champion, adding that he plans to "be hitting golf balls at the beginning of the year." When Tiger's left knee was asked if it would be ready, there was no comment.
It’s not known how much Woods is being paid for the project; however, it would be safe to assume his first year green fees will be included.
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