Tiger Woods is stepping into a "new realm in 2014 as an architect with the unveiling of his first signature design golf course," according to Ed Sherman of USA TODAY. If all goes "as planned," El Cardonal, part of the high-end Diamante development in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, "will open this fall." Woods' debut as an architect has been "a long time coming." Dating to '06, his "previous design projects in North Carolina, Dubai and at another location in Mexico were derailed because of the bad economy." El Cardonal "isn't as close to the Pacific Ocean as the facility's first course, the Davis Love III-designed Diamante Dunes." Rather, El Cardonal "sits a bit higher, winding through dunes on the front nine." Woods has "visited Diamante six times." He now "has a home there and has plans for several trips as the course nears completion." Diamante developer Ken Jowdy said that Woods' "emphasis is on playability." Woods said that while the course features multiple tees, his "aim is for all players to have to make similar strategic decisions during the round." He is "placing a premium on making golfers think their way around the course." The hope for Diamante is that Woods' name "will boost attention to the development." Tiger Woods Design President Bryon Bell "wouldn't discuss financial terms" and "no one would say if Woods' design fee includes an ownership stake in Diamante" (USA TODAY, 1/15).
