EarthGolf

Although we’ve known for almost a week, it was officially announced that Tiger Woods’ first American design will be at North Carolina’s Cliffs community. Below is the press release:

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–It’s official: the world’s number one golfer, Tiger Woods, will design his first American golf course at The Cliffs at High Carolina, the eighth community in The Cliffs’ collection of private, master-planned residential developments and the second project for the recently-formed Tiger Woods Design. Also announced today were Woods intentions to take an active role with the development of the master plan for The Cliffs at High Carolina.

My goal is to design a handful of very unique courses around the world, and The Cliffs is a perfect fit for my first American design,” Tiger Woods said. “Seeing what they’ve created with some of the world’s best designers is very inspiring, and I’m looking forward to adding my own style into the mix.”

Woods continued, “I chose The Cliffs at High Carolina because of the great people and the amazing location. I’m really looking forward to making it a premier destination to share with my friends and family.”

Each of The Cliffs’ communities is located in the Carolina Preserve – a quality-of-life corridor connecting Asheville, North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina that features fourteen state parks, three national forests, and one national park.

The Cliffs at High Carolina: Panoramic Playing in the Carolina Preserve

“When I first visited High Carolina, I loved the site and the spectacular 50-mile views of the Asheville area and the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Woods stated.

He continued, “When I got to the top of the mountain and looked across those meadows I knew this would be the site of my first American design. I hope this will become one of the most talked about views in the country.

“The land lends itself to a walking golf course,” added Woods. “Walking is integral to golf, and it will be very unique to have a walking golf course at elevations up to 4,000 feet.”

Jim Anthony, Founder and President of The Cliffs Communities, stated, “What excites us about working with Tiger is the alignment of our visions to enhance the golf experience by working with the land, beauty and conservation — an overall commitment to excellence.

“The Cliffs at High Carolina will offer the unique combination of an unparalleled mountaintop golf experience and convenient access to all that the city of Asheville offers,” Anthony continued.

An acclaimed city nationally and even internationally for its wealth of cultural and outdoor offerings, Asheville, North Carolina has received myriad honors and distinctions from the most well-known publications and independent sources:

        One of the "Top 20 Places to Live in the World" by Barron's

       One of the "Top 10 Places to Buy a Second Home" by MSN Money

        One of the "Best Five Places to Retire" by Money Magazine

      #1 Adventure Town in America by National Geographic Adventure

The Best Golf Experience in America. The Best Club Membership in the World.

Tiger Woods’ design will bring The Cliffs’ line-up of championship courses to eight, with the additional seven unique designs located minutes apart and accessed by one membership. Resort Living Magazine described The Cliffs’ membership as “one of the most comprehensive and impressive club memberships in the world.”

The Cliffs’ Members enjoy a golf experience unlike any other in the world, as a renowned group of designers has come together over its 16-year history to create an unrivaled collection of golf courses. Two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, one bordering Pisgah National Forest with views of the Asheville mountains and one situated along the shores of Lake Keowee, are coupled with two lakeside Tom Fazio designs: one with eight of its 18 holes boasting mountain-lake views and the second under construction at Keowee Springs Lodge and Spa, America’s First Luxury Family Wellness ResortSM^SM. The new Gary Player Signature “river course” under development at The Cliffs includes a layout of 14 of its 18 holes along the NortSaludada River, while minutes away, a parkland Valley course designed by Ben Wright showcases an incredible amphitheater of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The Cliffs at Glassy, a Tom Jackson design rated Fourth Most Scenic in the Nation by Golf Digest behind only Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and Cypress Point, is South Carolina’s only mountaintop course.

And now, to add to The Cliffs’ collection of unique course experiences is Tiger Woods’ first American design!

“Our Company’s goal is simply to create the best place to live, work and play in America,” Anthony concluded.

The quotes attributed to Tiger don’t sound like Tiger at all. The news from the press conference don’t include the above quotes.

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — On the heels of Sunday’s victory in the PGA Championship, today Tiger Woods officially announced he will design his first course in the United States at The Cliffs at High Carolina.

Woods will design his first course in the United States at The Cliffs at High Carolina.

Sitting beside The Cliffs Communities president and founder Jim Anthony, Woods answered questions from media members Tuesday afternoon.

“Jim is the major reason why I chose The Cliffs as my first American design,” Woods said. “The commitment to wellness and the example he leads in that pursuit are in line with my own interests.”

Woods also commented on the natural beauty of the area.

“You can’t mess this up,” he said. “It’s an amazing piece of property with a southern view of seven mountain ranges.”

Woods assured the gathering that he would be involved in the day-to-day groundwork of the course’s creation and stressed that High Carolina will be a walking-only course.

When asked if he planned on buying property in the Cliffs Communities, Woods responded, “Yes.”

It’s too bad that they didn’t expand on what exactly “buying property” means. Often times, a high profile designer is given first pick of lots - either given to him or purchased at below market value, which then they can sell for a tidy profit. Or will Tiger be building a “vacation home” there - someplace he rarely (if ever) visits, but which the golfers and neighbors can point to and say, “That’s Tiger’s house.”

Finally, Tiger drags out the dreaded “all in front of you” design philosophy.

Woods, who is designing his first course in Dubai, said he wants his initial U.S. course “to be difficult and challenging, but fair.” Two things it won’t have are blind shots or manmade lakes and waterfalls.

“I’m more of a minimalist,” Woods said. “I enjoy older- style golf courses that are right in front of you, where they basically left the ground where it was and put the course on top of it. I won’t move a lot of dirt.”

In any event, it’s going to be interesting to follow the development of this course over the next couple of years.

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