Tiger Woods is celebrating the completion of one of his most ambitious golf-course design projects while continuing to build his influence well beyond the traditional boundaries of professional golf.
The 15-time major champion recently reflected on Trout National, the exclusive golf club he helped create in partnership with Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout. The club, located in Vineland, New Jersey, officially opened April 15, 2026, although Woods was unable to attend the opening because he was in Zurich undergoing rehabilitation.
Woods recently shared his appreciation for the project, describing the course as the realization of a vision developed with Trout, John and the Trout National team, along with Woods’ TGR Design team. During the planning process, Trout shared, “Tiger, John and I walked hole by hole and this course will do just that. Our vision and his design is creating something special here in my hometown.”
From Former Sand Mine to Luxury Golf Destination
Trout National occupies more than 280 acres of former silica-mining property and farmland. The development represents a significant transformation of the New Jersey landscape and reflects Woods’ growing reputation as a golf-course designer.
The property goes beyond a traditional 18-hole golf experience. It includes The Bullpen, a lighted, reversible six-hole short course designed for evening play. Another distinctive feature, The Dugout, is a baseball-themed viewing area positioned behind the 14th and 16th tees, allowing members to watch golf from field level.
The club also features five cottages, two lodges and a helipad, emphasizing the private-resort character of the development.
Membership is intentionally limited. Golf Digest previously reported that the club had capped membership at 227, with invitations required for entry and reported initiation costs in the range of $300,000 to $500,000. The overall project has been estimated at approximately $100 million.
A Different Chapter for Tiger Woods
For Woods, the developments represent an increasingly important part of his career away from tournament competition.
His playing career has been interrupted by injuries and lengthy rehabilitation periods, making his future on the PGA TOUR uncertain. Nevertheless, Woods remains heavily involved in golf through course design, business, media and innovative approaches to the sport.
Trout National is perhaps one of the clearest examples of that evolution. Rather than simply competing on golf courses, Woods is now helping design them, develop them and shape the future business of the sport.
His partnership with Trout also illustrates the growing intersection between professional sports personalities and golf development. Trout brings his experience as one of baseball’s biggest stars, while Woods contributes decades of golf expertise and his TGR Design team.
Together, they have created a golf destination that combines championship-style golf with baseball-inspired amenities and an exclusive hospitality experience.
As Woods continues his rehabilitation and considers his competitive future, his influence on golf appears to be expanding—even when he isn’t carrying a golf bag.
For Woods, the next chapter may be less about how many tournaments he can play and more about how much he can continue to influence the game he has helped transform.
