Report: Barack Obama's foundation backs away from Tiger Woods golf course
Barack Obama's foundation has reportedly pulled its support for Tiger Woods' design firm to build a PGA Tour-calibre golf course near his eponymous centre.
Barack Obama's foundation has reportedly pulled its support for a golf course in Chicago designed by Tiger Woods.
Per Block Club Chicago, it is said the former president's foundation has distanced itself for plans to combine two South Side golf courses into a professional-level course near The Obama Presidential Center.
Obama personally called Woods and instructed the legendary golfer to take up the project in 2018.
Woods' design firm, TGR Design, agreed but it appears there are too many geopolitical issues to overcome.
There were plans to combine the adjacent 18-hole Jackson Park and nine-hole South Shore golf courses into a single PGA Tour-calibre course.
The whole project was estimated to cost $70m.
Related: Tiger Woods net worth 2023
Concerns have been raised over the projects environmental impact and the potential to price out golfers who have used both courses for decades.
The proposed course called for replacing of a nature sanctuary with portions of the new courses 14th and 15th holes.
An Obama Foundation spokesperson, Courtney Williams, refused to directly answer questions about the project.
Instead Williams said in a statement:
Woods firm has also not commented.
Reacting to the news, one golf fan said: "I'm surprised this was even still being considered. It was clear years ago that there was too much bureaucracy and geopolitical issues to overcome."
Another added: "This happened because Tiger voted for Trump."
The plans for the overhaul were announced seven years ago.
In other Woods news, he recently visited Utah to see how another one of his designs is shaping up.
The latest TGR project? A hellish golf course in the Utah mountains measuring roughly 8,000 yards from the back tees.
Elsewhere, Woods' new golf league which will launch in January 2024 - TGL - has bagged another billionaire backer.
Read more:
- Zach Johnson confirms Tiger Woods will NOT attend the Ryder Cup in person
- Zach Johnson makes Tiger Woods claim as Team USA arrive in Italy for Ryder Cup
- Rory on Tiger: "He's certainly been spending more time on it than I have"
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