The project chief for the first golf course designed by Tiger Woods says the initial phase of the project is “on track” for completion in the last three months of 2009. Abdulla Al-Gurg said on Monday that the government-owned developer Tatweer is spending 4 billion dirhams - about $1.09 billion - to build the course and the surrounding housing development on the outskirts of the Middle Eastern desert city of Dubai. He wouldn't say how much Woods was being paid. The plan's first phase includes an 18-hole course, a golf academy and a driving range. Gurg says a hotel and high-end housing community flanking the area should be finished by the second or third quarter of 2010. The first phase of the development, which among other unlikely features promises 5 million square feet of locally grown grass and more than 30,000 full-grown imported trees. Gurg spoke following an event to showcase the project at a glitzy beachfront hotel. The project's first stage will consist of the 18-hole, par 72 course itself, as well as a golf academy and a driving range. A hotel and most of the gated housing community should be finished by the second or third quarter of 2010, Gurg said. On Monday, Woods paid his first visit to the construction site since a recent knee surgery sidelined him for the rest of the 2008 season. He said he doesn't know when he will return to competition. “All that's unknown,” Woods said. “It's frustrating for me.” Woods said he drew inspiration for his first course from clubs in the “sandbelt” golfing region near Melbourne, Australia. “We want this golf course to play fast, quick,” he said, while remaining appealing to a broad range of players. Woods is not the only golfer laying out links in Dubai. An 18-hold course designed by Colin Montgomerie was launched in 2006, and another by Ernie Els opened earlier this year. Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia, Pete Dye and Vijay Singh are also working on courses scheduled to open this year or next.
