Dozens of eager golfers, including former US president George W Bush, got their first chance to play Tiger Woods’ first US golf course design, following its official opening last week.
While the designer himself was unable to attend due to recent back surgery, those that played Bluejack National in Texas expressed satisfaction with the gently rolling layout, which is located 45 minutes from Houston.
Nearly 100 members at the invitation-only, private members’ club played a limited seven-hole loop, with the full 18-hole course expected to be ready early next year.
Woods was helped on the project by US architect Beau Welling, who used to work with Tom Fazio.
“Bluejack National has one of the best natural settings for golf I have ever seen,” said Woods. “With its changes in elevation, the beautiful pines and hardwoods, Bluejack National is reminiscent of the pinelands of Georgia and the Carolinas. Our goal is for it to be among the best in the nation.”
The first player to try out the new course was former President George W. Bush, who played in a special preview round on November 2. The 69-year-old covered the seven holes in 40 minutes, although is score was not revealed.
Although he has a second golf course due to open in Nashville next year, Woods’ design business has mainly focused on projects abroad. His first course, El Cardonal at Diamante, opened in Mexico last year, while he has broken ground on a course in Dubai, and has also reportedly landed a $16.5 million deal to redesign two courses in China.