[baronaaba]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Three-time British Open champion Tiger Woods announced Sunday that he will develop his first golf course in the oil-rich city of Dubai.
The Tiger Woods Dubai - a residential golf course development - will feature a 7,700-yard, par-72 course, golf academy, 320 exclusive villas and an 80-suite boutique hotel.
''I look at this project not only as an opportunity, but also as a great responsibility. Most projects done in this city are iconic,'' Wood said, adding that he hopes to not only ''match up to them, but hopefully create a memorable, everlasting legacy.''
The project is a joint venture between Woods, who announced last month that he formed the golf course design firm Tiger Woods Design, and Tatweer, a member of the government-affiliated Dubai Holding.
''I have 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,'' Wood said.

Woods said his decided to pick Dubai because he was excited about the ''challenge of transforming a desert terrain into a world-class golf course.''
The development is scheduled for completion in late 2009 at Dubailand - the region's largest tourism and leisure project.
Saeed al-Muntafiq, the CEO of Tatweer, said he is confident that Woods' Dubai golf course will be a success.
''We never looked for anyone beyond Tiger for the project because we believe in only working with the very best,'' al-Muntafiq said. I'm sure thats going to be pretty damn sweet.