Construction for Woods’ Dubai Golf Course on Hold

Monday, June 8, 2009 -- Construction on the golf course designed by American professional golfer Tiger Woods have been put on hold.

Al Ruwaya Golf Course in Dubai is the first one to be designed by Woods. The economic meltdown in the United Arab of Emirates has been sighted as the reason for the delay. The delay is expected to push back the course’s opening by at least 6 months.

"It's six months as of right now," said Woods. "It's going to be behind schedule. Obviously, the economy has turned over there and they've slowed down construction because of it."

The course was initially set to open in the fall, but Woods has announced that it may be pushed back to next summer.

"The economy needs to turn around. If it gets stimulated, we can pick up to the point where we might open earlier, but who knows? It's out of my hands."

When construction was suspended, the course only had three holes in place.

The proposed project is called Woods Dubai and it includes 100 villas, 75 mansions, and 22 palaces. A 360,000 square foot golf academy and club house is also planned.

Woods has two other courses in construction. One in North Carolina called The Cliffs at High Carolina and another in Mexico called Punta Brava. These courses are being constructed on schedule and are set to open in 2010.