Construction at the property outside Houston is expected to begin this summer, with completion slated for late 2015.
Tiger Woods Design, the golf course architecture firm founded in 2006, has had a difficult birth, with projects in Dubai, North Carolina and Mexico that have either collapsed or been put on hold as a result of the economic downturn.
But the career of the world’s number-one player as a signature architect appears to finally be moving forward, Golf Course Architecture reported in its May 2014 issue. A second course being designed by Woods at the Diamante property in Mexico is now close to completion, and it was recently announced that Woods’ design company has been selected by Beacon Land, developers of the new Bluejack National community and golf course outside Houston, on the site of the former Blaketree National property, which was closed in 2012.
Beacon Land principals Michael Abbott and Casey Paulson were also involved in the development of Diamante, Golf Course Architecture noted. The two have a joint 50 years experience in the real estate business, much of which was spent with development giant Discovery Land, and have come together with Dallas-based Lantern Asset Management to form Beacon Land.
Bluejack National will be built on the site of the former Blaketree National club, which was partially designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, but completed by its owner, Thomas Blake, Golf Course Architecture reported. The course has been closed since 2012.
The site comprises 755 acres of rolling and wooded countryside dotted with natural lakes and streams and Bluejack will be a new course, according to the developers, not a redesign of the Blaketree layout, Golf Course Architecture reported.
“Bluejack National has one of the best natural settings for golf I have seen,” said Woods as the announcement was made. “With its changes in elevation, the beautiful pines and hardwoods, Bluejack National is reminiscent of the pinelands of Georgia and the Carolinas.
“The opportunity is here to create a golf course unlike any other in the Houston area, and our goal is for it to be among the best in the nation,” Woods added.
“We are thrilled to have Tiger working with us to develop the golf course for Bluejack National,” said Abbott. “He spent a lot of time getting to know the property and understanding its potential. Throughout the process it became clear that his vision for the golf course perfectly aligned with ours, and he shared our passion for bringing it to life.”
Strategically, Woods said the golf course will require players to think and make decisions throughout their rounds, Golf Course Architecture reported. Successfully challenging hazards will reward players with preferred angles of play for their next shot.
Green contours will be kept simple to allow for fast speeds, Woods said, and the areas around the greens will be maintained firm and tight to promote shot options and creativity from the chipping areas.
“The turf will be maintained at a single height of fairway cut, the undergrowth will be cleared and the forest floor will be covered with pine straw, making it easy to find and play wayward shots,” Woods said.
Woods and his team will also design a short course for Bluejack National, Golf Course Architecture reported. The exact routing will largely be left to the imagination of players, giving friends, families and associates the opportunity to create their own challenges and games. Membership will be separated from real estate sales.
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