BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Tiger Woods has mastered many golf courses during his career, but has never had one he could call his own -- until now. Woods announced Sunday he will design and develop his first golf course in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Tiger Woods Dubai is planned to be a 7,700-yard, par-72 course. Also on the grounds will be a 60,000-square-foot clubhouse, a golf academy, 320 exclusive villas and a boutique hotel featuring 80 suites.

Tiger Woods Dubai is a joint venture between Woods, who last month created Tiger Woods design; and Tatweer, a member of the government-affiliated Dubai Holding.

"I look at this project not only as an opportunity, but also as a great responsibility," said Woods. "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."

He said he chose Dubai for his first golf course because he was excited about the "challenge of transforming a desert terrain into a world-class golf course."

Dubai already has eight golf courses, including the Emirates Golf Club, which hosts the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods won the tournament earlier this year in a playoff over Ernie Els.

Els, Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie and Ian Baker-Finch have built or are building golf courses in Dubai. Woods said he hopes to not only match up to those courses, "but hopefully create a memorable, everlasting legacy."

The project 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.