Tiger woods goes back to dubai golf development

Photo: Keith Allison

The golfing legend will design a new 18-hole championship course for the Trump World Golf Club, which is part of the Akoya Oxygen development in Dubailand. This is not the first time Tiger will tee off a business deal in the UAE, though. Indeed, in 2008, he was paid just over $55 million to give his name to a Dubai Properties Group golf development, only for the project to be scrapped because of the recession.

Now, he will return to the exact same site, which has since been bought by Damac Properties, who have launched their Akoya Oxygen community alongside the course, operated by the Trump World Golf Club.

Damac's senior vice president for corporate communications, Niall McLoughlin, emphasised to Arabian Business that the new golf course will be completely different to the former development. The project will also include a clubhouse, professional shop and restaurant.

Tiger's design will get Centre stage, with the premium properties overlooking the course.

"I’ve been fortunate to play great golf courses all over the globe, from the original links courses in Scotland to the famous parkland courses in America and the distinctive layouts on the sandbelt of Australia. I hope to bring elements of those great courses and others to the Trump World Golf Club Dubai with the end result being a course that golfers will want to play again and again," he told the press.

"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.

Donald Trump is becoming an equally prominent figure in the global golfing community, with Dubai marking his 18th golf development around the globe. He welcomed Woods as "the biggest name in professional golf" and said he would be a "tremendous asset" to the development.

The whole project is expected to be completed in 2017.