In the realm of next-level golf embodied in enviable destinations, few names resonate with as much prestige as Tiger Woods. The legendary golfer’s evolution from indomitable champion to design visionary via his company TGR Designs is thrilling for golf aficionados. His latest courses to break ground—Marcella Club in Deer Valley, Park City, Utah, and Trout National – The Reserve in Vineland, New Jersey—promise provocative additions to the world of elite golf.
Woods’ involvement in Marcella goes beyond buzzy headlines—he’s as hands on as he is on a putter. “I was completely blown away by everything about Marcella,” Tiger Woods said on a recent site visit. “The amenities, commitment to excellence, not to mention maybe the best views I have ever seen on a golf course. I told the team this is the perfect canvas; we just need to make sure we live up to the challenge.”
Slated to open in 2025, the Marcella Club will feature an 18-hole championship course, marking Woods’ first mountain course. Situated within the exclusive Marcella Jordanelle Ridge and Marcella at Deer Valley communities, the course will engage golfers with strategic elements and sincerely spectacular scenery. Cody Winterton, division president of Raintree Investment Corporation, says, “Tiger’s focus and attention to detail is truly inspiring. It is an honor to have Tiger and his team in Utah working on this incredible project with us.”
Bryon Bell, president of TGR Design, shares with us exclusively, “Our goal is to utilize Tiger’s worldwide experience, limitless pursuit of excellence and love of golf to design a limited number of distinct, memorable golf courses that promote playability for all skill levels. Tiger is famous for setting a high standard and working hard to surpass it. TGR Design is no different.”
Conceiving a golf course in the dramatic Wasatch alpine terrain is no small feat. Spanning a staggering 8,000 yards, the course will be one of the longest in Utah. TGR aims to create a stamina-spiking, pleasurable course, reflecting Woods’ philosophy of blending beauty with tactical complexity.
“Because the Marcella Club course sits at an elevation of 7,300 ft, we expect the ball to travel 10 percent further than it would at lower elevation courses. While over 8,000 yards sounds long, it will actually play similar in length to other modern courses,” Bell elaborates. “Knowing the ball would travel further and potentially more offline at Marcella due to elevation, we focused on widening landing areas and green surrounds to keep the course playable.”
The high altitude adds a layer of complexity TGR embraced with enthusiasm. Thinner air affects ball flight, while rocky landscapes demand innovative solutions to encourage playability and aesthetic appeal. Such unique conditions allow TGR to push boundaries of golf architecture, creating a course as visually compelling as it is athletically challenging.
Few collaborations have sparked as much intrigue and anticipation as Tiger Woods and Mike Trout on Trout National – The Reserve. This members-only course in the 11-time MLB All-Star’s hometown promises sporting excellence in spades. TGR’s plans reveal a tantalizing glimpse into the future of this par-72 haven. Set to open in 2025, Trout National aims to join the ranks of the Mid-Atlantic’s prestige courses, aligning with the gold standard expected from a Woods-Trout partnership.
We can’t prospect TGR’s 2025 reveals without reflecting on the firm’s impressive inaugural project. El Cardonal at Diamante, the first course designed by Woods under his TGR Design, remains a striking testament to his acumen off the green. In the sensual landscape of Cabo San Lucas, we find a departure from traditional desert layouts prevalent in the region. Instead, Woods drew inspiration from old-school Southern California courses, challenging golfers to concept their way around, demanding power, precision, creativity. Wide fairways and varied topography delight, while strategic bunkering provides a true test for veterans of the sport.
Woods’ legacy is written all over Diamante according to Bell. He affirms, “Tiger is involved in every aspect of TGR Design’s projects, from setting the vision to laying out out the golf features on the ground during construction.” The Legacy Club at Diamante embodies Woods’ appetite for depth and intrigue. Fairways are generous, inviting bold play off the tee—yet the greens are where true course character is revealed. Each is uniquely contoured, requiring a deft touch and careful reading. In the Legacy Club, TGR meticulously captures the essence of timeless design, ensuring it lives up to its name in every measure.
Rounding out TGR’s contributions to Diamante is The Oasis Short Course, a par-3 as delightful as it is demanding. Shorter does not mean easier. This savvy design can turn a brief round into a breakthrough. Each hole presents a cryptic challenge, with intricate bunkering and water features. Sparking creativity in shot-making, it’s ideal for sharpening one’s short game. The Oasis doubles as a social space, where groups gather to enjoy the game in a convivial, scenic environment.
TGR Design leaves an indelible mark on golf architecture with The Hay at Pebble Beach. The transformation of this historic par-3 course into a dynamic gem showcases Woods’ golfing genius. Originally established by esteemed architect Peter Hay in 1957, The Hay is cherished by Pebble Beach devotees. TGR reimagines it as a modern marvel; the course now boasts nine par-3 holes, each delivering peak endorphins. Imbued with a sense of whimsy, the course features green complexes requiring strategy and shot-making skill. From the shortest hole, which measures a mere 47 yards, to the longest at 106 yards, The Hay is as beguiling as it is ingenious.
The centerpiece of The Hay is the replica of Pebble Beach’s famed seventh hole. This iconic par-3, renowned for stunning ocean views, is a nod to Woods’ respect for the game’s traditions. It offers a taste of the challenges faced by professionals in the U.S. Open, all within the more relaxed setting of a par-3 course.
TGR’s most paradisiacal coup can be found in the resplendent allure of The Playground at Jack’s Bay, Bahamas. Tracing the mesmerizing shoreline of Eleuthera, the course ranges from 71 to 163 yards, each hole presenting a myriad of shot scenarios. Woods’ vision is evident in every undulation and contour, ensuring the course is not merely a test of skill, but a celebration of the game’s purest joys. Jack’s Bay itself is a sprawling 1,200-acre resort club and residential community of natural wonders and built opulence.
As azure waves caress the shores and Bahamian breezes whisper through palms, The Playground is an oasis where the game’s heritage meets its future. Here, TGR has crafted a masterpiece for golfers to explore and experience the very pinnacle of tropical course elegance.
With such diverse locations, how does TGR ensure each course has a unique identity while maintaining Tiger Woods’ signature? Bell reflects, “With each course TGR Design creates, we try to use the existing topography and highlight the uniqueness of the property and its surroundings.” Ultimately, every Tiger Woods course is not merely a place to play, but a journey into the spellbinding sublime.
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