Tiger Woods to build giant course in Utah

Tiger Woods and his design firm TGR Design are building a huge 18-hole championship mountain course in Utah which will include a par 5 over 700 yards.

The 15-time major winner is creating the course at Marcella Club in Park City, a par 72 layout which will stretch to more than 8,000 yards from the back tees.

The 10th hole will extend to an enormous 702 yards and the par 3 15th will be a challenging 292 yards. Each par 5 will measure more than 600 yards.

Park City does though sit at 7,000 feet above sea level, so the course will play slightly shorter. Also, some par 4s will be less than 400 yards and there’s one par 3 at less than 150 yards.

Construction is set to start in summer 2024 with a full opening anticipated later in 2025. The course will eventually be joined by a second 18-hole course, the designer of which is yet to be announced.

The 36-hole complex will be shared by Marcella Mountain and Marcella at Jordanelle Ridge with private homes available for purchase at each. Ski access to Deer Valley, former host of the Winter Olympics, will be available from the development.

First mountain venture

Tiger’s course will be the first mountain layout and the fourth 18-hole design in his portfolio, joining El Cardonal (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico), Bluejack National (Houston) and Payne’s Valley (Missouri). He has also designed short courses at The Hay at Pebble Beach, Jack’s Bay (Bahamas) and The Oasis (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico).

Announcing the new course, he said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Marcella Club to design and create a new championship golf course just outside Park City. This new course is uniquely beautiful and will offer engaging play for every ability. My intent is to create a world-class golf experience to pair with Marcella Club’s vision for modern luxury living.

“The canvas for my course is one of the most dramatic I’ve ever seen. It has ridgelines with some of the most stunning views in the world, valleys with amazing contours and topography, and groves of trees that allow me to use creativity to bring to life a golf experience that’s something special.”

Course details

TGR Design’s website says: “The club will have unparalleled 360-degree views of the Uinta Mountains, Jordanelle Reservoir, Deer Valley Resort, and the Heber Valley. It’s been routed to take advantage of the incredible long-range vistas while also incorporating contrasting intimate valleys.

“The course will provide a stern test for low handicap golfers, yet also present a fun, family friendly experience to allow individuals of all skill levels to come together and enjoy the course.

“The championship course will feature generous landing areas helping players to keep the ball in play while still challenging players with strategic choices and angles off the tee for the best opportunities to score.

“The greens will vary in size and contouring to reinforce the tee shot strategy, but with green surrounds mowed tight, players missing the green will be able to use their creativity to make interesting recoveries.”