What’s Poppin’™

Although Tiger Woods isn't sure when he will return to competition, his huge golf course project in the Persian Gulf is rapidly rising out of the desert sand.

The initial phase of The Tiger Woods Dubai - a 13 million-square-foot golf course designed by the world's top player - is on track to be completed sometime in the first quarter of 2009.

The mega-project, which also features a luxury boutique hotel, a Guy Savoy restaurant and upscale shopping, is part of a massive amusement park, called Dubailand, that is being built on the edge of a desert.

Yesterday, Woods unveiled the master plan for the course and confirmed it was on schedule amid growing concern that Dubai is headed for a real-estate glut.

The Woods' project was announced more than a year-and-a-half ago.

It was his first visit to the oil-rich region since he announced in June that he would miss the rest of the 2008 golf season because of surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee.

"Tiger Woods' name brings enormous value to the project, and we are proud to share with him some of the key developments that have taken place since he reviewed the project during his last visit," said project director Abdulla Al Gurg.

Gurg wouldn't disclose what Woods is getting to design the course, but press reports peg the figure at $20 million. Dubai-based developer Tatweer estimates the project will cost nearly $1.1 billion.

A total of 197 mansions, villas and "palaces" will border the entire golf course. There will only be 200 golf memberships, with priority going to residents of the community.

The par-72 course also boasts a lavish 139,000-square-foot clubhouse, luxury spa and golf academy.

The first phase will be the golf course, followed by the hotel and residential community in the second and third quarters of 2009.

With the temperature around 100 degrees, Woods, speaking at the event to promote his course, said he's not sure when he'll be able to compete again but wouldn't rule out defending his title at the Dubai Desert classic on Jan. 27.

Calling the uncertainty "frustrating," Woods added, "I don't know my schedule for next year. . . I will be hitting golf balls at the beginning of the year."

Dubai developers are banking on bold-face names to make their projects stand out in a competitive market.

Actor Brad Pitt is helping to design a hotel, following in the footsteps of fashion designer Georgio Armani. Karl Lagerfeld has also signed on to lend his style to high-end homes.

Woods isn't the first golfer to design a course in Dubai.

Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els beat him to the punch. Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia and Vijay Singh have also attached their names to courses.