GOLF.com can exclusively reveal that Woods has begun construction on what appears certain to be his first ever completed golf course at Diamante, a high-end real estate enclave in the Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas. Ground was broken on the course — to be called “El Cardonal,” the original name of the former ranch on which it sits — last month and it is expected to open in the spring of 2014.
Woods had previously signed three highly publicized course design contracts, but all of those projects ran aground during the global economic collapse.
With a construction budget of up to $12 million, Woods’s El Cardonal layout will crisscross desert arroyos on the 1,500-acre property overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In a statement emailed to GOLF.com, the 14-time major winner says he is determined to produce a course that lesser mortals can enjoy.
“I want to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience for all players, regardless of skill level,” Woods wrote. “I’ve played in enough pro-ams to know that not every golfer is a scratch player. Creating wide landing areas and avoiding forced carries whenever possible allow all golfers, even beginners, to keep the ball in play and have more fun.”
The team at Tiger Woods Design recently made a scouting trip to some courses in Southern California, including Riviera and Los Angeles Country Club. Woods, who is expected to return to the El Cardonal site in a few weeks, has said those classics will influence his work at Diamante.
“I want to be sure that my designs make individuals think their way around the course,” Woods explained. “To me, that’s an important part of golf and it’s what I like to do when I play. I think players like risk-reward opportunities and to feel like they’ve been challenged in all aspects of the game.”
The El Cardonal course will be the second one at Diamante. The first, the Davis Love III-designed Dunes course, opened to acclaim in 2010 and is ranked No. 58 on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World.
“Given the chance to work with a great legend of the game who has the natural talent and vision of Tiger Woods, and who wants to bring his knowledge and passion to the design business, creates a unique opportunity for all of us at Diamante and made this an easy decision,” said Ken Jowdy, Diamante’s CEO. (CNN)