Tiger Woods: Let's have a little more honesty

That takes a lot of gonads to say that Tiger is a little less than honest just because you don't like his answer.

That's sort of the point, isn't it? I don't like his answer because it isn't completely honest.

Look at the other places he's designed courses. Dubai springs to mind. Think he made a little money there?

My point is I don't like the way he's avoiding the subject, trying to convince us he doesn't care about the money.

This does seem rather desperate even for you Old Mac. It's not like Tiger said that he's building golf courses to save the world.

And what exactly is dishonest about his house quote? Just because comfort and safety mean a little different things to Tiger Woods than you (I don't think there are Tim McDonald blog fans hanging outside to get your autograph, but maybe I'm wrong) doesn't make the quote dishonest.

Heck, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be stuck in your house in the backwoods Florida swamps either. Tiger isn't the only one with a different idea of comfort than you, my man.

In all fairness to Woods, I think it's probably a rationalization as opposed to overt dishonesty. Today's society inculcates the tendency to lie to yourself in people more so than our forebears did.

This is especially obvious with Woods. he is the closest thing to a politician you'll find in golf, with maybe the exception of Mickelson. And don't fool yourselves about this. Whether it's his diplomatic comments about Bubbles or Sorenstam, this or something else, everything is carefully crafted as to avoid tarnishing the Tiger Woods brand.

Call it good business if you must, but don't expect me to respect it.

Tim, would you rather they build cheap, rubbish properties instead?

Yeah, that's what I meant to say, about the inculcating and all that.

He wants his home to be comfortable and safe, and if it happens to be upscale, so be it.

Much 'ado about nuthin', in my humble opinion.

"If it happens to be..."

Big leap

I had the privilege to be involved with the land acquisition part of the project from the very beginning. The project site is unequaled and much removed from the rest of the Baja peninsula (where I have worked for years). Private road access to the property was only made available by the land holders within the past few years. When you are at the location it is as if you are on an island apart from everything else in the world.

In order to have a low environmental impact on such an amazing place it had to be very low density housing. In order to make border issues irrelevant it had to be accessible by air and water (instead of by cross-border driving). These factors had the natural consequence of creating a very exclusive ownership opportunity. Few homes and the requirement for private yachts and private air transportation simply led to premium prices.

It was simple economics associated with having such a rare jewel.

So I guess me and my friend Bud will never be playing there, huh?

Or even get a glimpse of the ocean, for that matter.

I have a 12-foot aluminum, flat-fishing boat. I sort of look at it as my private yacht, down here on the Suwannee. Does that score any points?

Scores points with me. If your boat holds water, bring it to Ensenada and I'll personally give you a tour of the site from the sea. (I'm sure that you don't mind if I bring a SCUBA tank along. The water is clear and diving is great out there.)

You're on!

I'm bringing Bud, though. He's been known to take a nip or two, but when he drinks he seems to speak a little Espanol.

I guess the folks there are too fancy to meet up with us on dry land.

Can't say as I blame them, and Bud does have a nasty little case of shingles. Wouldn't want that to go rubbing off on Tiger and the rich folk.

Timbo, that's a liiiiittle too much information about your boy there.

Actually the estate lots start at 3 million (per empty lot) and go up to a cool $12 million. Obviously this is slated not to the rich, but the super rich. Maybe the timing was a little off with the economy being what it is.

I'm sure Tiger has an eye on the future as did Jack Nicklaus (I think he's got close to 300 designed courses) and right now anything tied to his name is gonna be gold.

Umm, who wouldn't want to build on that site? That part was honest. You want complete honesty? Is this a Jim Carrey movie? Of course not. Go to GolfClubAtlas.Com and ask any of the architects there if they would take the spot...would you then call them dishonest for not being completely transparent? It's pretty crass to say "I'm doing it for the money." I'd be doing this TravelGolf thing for the money if I were to ever get any!

Don't bet the house on it.

Hello Tim:

you should know that the real name of the site for the proposed development is "Punta Banda" and not "Punta Brava". Does this piece of information reminds you of something?? Also, I wanted to let you know that this project has created a lot of social stir here in Ensenada, because the project plans to remove more than 90% of the vegetation destroying a pristine ecosystem of coastal sage scrub and more than 25 archaeological sites in that area (of course, since the project is very exclusive, the rest of the people from Ensenada won´t have access to that cultural landscape anymore). You should also know tha according to the Mexican Constitution foreigners are not entitled to have properties on coastal and border lands.
Finnally, the area is located on top of a major active geological fault (Agua Blanca fault). Saludos from Ensenada.

I have personal knowledge of the various development proposals by local developers before the Punta Brava. One of the prevailing plans was a 2,000 unit housing development (compared to fewer than 150 with Punta Brava). Another proposal was hundreds of fraccionamiento lots (i.e. little community and city control) and roads that covered virtually every square inch of the property.

An important context point is that the land has not been a public holding since almost the Mexican Revolution and has been completely private since the 1960's. Mexico's Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) is overseeing the handling of every shrub on the place during the project. I'm unaware of 25 archeology sites but I do know of one cave that will be wholly protected.

I'm sure we'd all like a piece of such a beautiful place. Alas, even my access to the property will be removed at some point.

Yet I am confident that this project is the most environmentally responsible proposal to the property ever. It will become a new ecological standard for Baja California.

I'm not saying it has to be THIS project but it would be nice to see in Tiger's first 20 projects, some kind of goodwill, muni-type course. Pete Dye designs courses for $1 sometimes.

Just curious, why don't you guys hold Norman, Nicklaus and Palmer to the same standard? They design courses; have been for several years.

Check this page:
http://www.pristinebajahomes.com/UnionTrib.html

Do you understand the concept of Cultural Landscape? Heritage? Public Interest? It´s like building a golf course in Stone Henge, Yosemite, Big Sur or the Grand Canyon...

Great information Moises, I'll check it out and thanks for the tip.

Brooklyn -- I can't speak for the other guys, but maybe it has something to do with the fact Woods has made more money off golf than anyone in the history of the world.

I will agree with the comment from Brooklyn posted at 15:28 asking why Norman, Nicklaus and Palmer are not being held to the same standard as others are asking of Tiger Woods. They have been designing courses for years all over the world (inlcuding now India, China, Dubai, and remote parts yet unknown). Tiger has THREE projects in his fledgling career of golf course designer and he is being "wrapped on the knuckles" right, left and centre. Is Mr. McDonald aware that Ernile Els, Sergio Garcia, VJ Singh, Adam Scott, Davis Love III, Coling Montgomerie, BEN WRIGHT (golf commentator) - I could go on and on- are designing golf courses all over the world and have been making MONEY from all this (or are they working for FREE)? I have been watching Tiger grow up under a microscope before our very eyes (I am over 60 years old) and find that he is basically as honest as one can be in pulic without being "tarred and feathered by media and fans alike" for putting his proverbial "foot in his mouth". I have no reason to believe that he is not being honest when he comments on comfort and the safety of his children and family members as priorities. Speaking as a mother, I have found Tiger to be a basically honest individual. Why should he not make comfort and safety a priority even if he has money? Money is not an issue for Tiger as it is for most people - and by the way, he worked hard to earn his money and deserves it - so he does not have to speak about the obvious. Also, as one blogger noted, it would be rather CRASS to do so. I know today's society is a bit different, but there are certain things/issues that was not trown around in conversations without seeming to be bragging and boasting.
Luckily, Tiger is not in the business of impressing Mr. McDonald so that is a good thing. Tiger has maintained the strength of character to not "twist in the wind" to please everyone and that is a good trait. Keep it up Tiger and God bless. Mr. McDonald, please do some research on the other golfers and write that Jack, Arnold, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Greg Norman (who also is in the business of wines, beef, turf building) are just doing this out of the goodness of their hearts and not for the MONEY.