Tiger Woods has been a loyal supporter of the Dubai Desert Classic over the years. Now the world number one is going one step further by choosing the city for his first golf course design globally.

The Tiger Woods Dubai will feature a par-72 18-hole championship course, golf academy, 300 luxury villas, 20 mansions and 80-room VIP hotel and retail community. Construction starts later this year with completion scheduled for 2009.

“I am excited about the challenge of transforming a desert terrain into a world-class golf course,” he said. “I have a vision of creating something that is uniquely mine and I want to realize this vision in Dubai. I’ve been amazed by the progress of Dubai. From the time I first came to play here in 2000, I wanted to be a part of this amazing vision.”

The project - a joint venture between the course design firm Tiger Woods Design, and Tatweer, part of the government-affiliated Dubai Holding – is located in Al Ruwaya district (Arabic for ‘serenity’) within the vast Dubailand tourism development.

The course will feature lush landscaping, stunning water features, dramatic elevation changes and five sets of tees to cater to all standards.

“It’s my goal that Tiger Woods Design contributes to the growth of golf worldwide. Golf is a relatively new sport to the Dubai region and knowing that much of the population doesn’t play golf is very appealing. I want Al Ruwaya to excite people about coming out to play.”

Woods came joint third at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2007 with a score of -17, unable to match the heroics of a year earlier when he beat Ernie Els to the title in a nail-biting play off.