Tiger Woods reveals designs for Hawaiian masterpiece

Golfing icon Tiger Woods and his TGR Design company have been unveiled as lead architects for one of two spectacular golfing layouts to be created at Mākaha Valley Resort in Hawaii - a project commissioned by Pacific Links International, the world’s premier golfing network.

Inspired by the pristine setting on Oahu’s Leeward Coast, TGR Design will lead the development of the Mākaha North Course, while Gil Hanse, creator of the Olympic Course in Rio de Janeiro, will develop the Mākaha South Course. Together, these world-class, tournament-quality layouts will become the centre pieces of the Mākaha Valley Resort, a 644-acre mixed-use property developed in conjunction with community leaders and native cultural practitioners on Hawaii’s third- largest island.

Nestled high above the Pacific and meandering through lush, rolling terrain, the North Course lies in the shadows of the Waianae Mountain Range, where players will encounter stunning scenes of Mt. Ka’ala (an ancient volcano and the highest peak on Oahu) and expansive ocean views that contrast strikingly with the imposing emerald mountains.

The open nature of the course will provide countless opportunities to bask in this beautiful setting, while the vast fairways, speckled with bunkering, will promote strategic choices and different routes of play. The natural layout will require golfers to navigate a myriad of options in order to score well. Large, tightly mown green surrounds and intricate internal greens contours will further emphasize the highly strategic nature of the golf course, which also boasts variety in hole direction, elevation, shot shape, and distance.

The majestic ridges that define the Mākaha Valley create a backdrop that cannot be replicated. This bold canvas provides depth to a course which has been created to consider the environment and sustainability at every turn and exhibits a design concept that focusses on a unique and memorable golf experience for players of all levels.

"At TGR Design, we focus on finding spectacular locations to design distinct and memorable golf courses," said Woods.

"The Mākaha Valley on the west coast of Oahu is truly one of these unique and special locations. The cathedral-like setting of the property is framed with big ocean views to the west and towering mountains to the east. We are designing a golf course that will take advantage of this spectacular setting yet still be fun and playable for golfers of all abilities.”

Gil Hanse said: "We at Hanse Golf Course Design are very excited to be partnering with Pacific Links International on the South Course at the Mākaha Valley Resort. The opportunity to work on such a magnificent site, with equally dramatic views of the ocean, the mountains and up the valley is all we could hope for on a property.

"With the sloping nature of the land, several natural washes, and a few significant elevation changes to work with, we know that the course will have a great deal of variety and will flow wonderfully across the topography. Combining those natural advantages with a style that will be based on the great California courses designed by George Thomas (Riviera, BelAir, and The Los Angeles Country Club) should yield an interesting and thoughtful course to play and a spectacular one to look at."

For more information visit www.pacificlinks.com