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Tiger Woods’ newest venture? Designing putting courses around the U.S.

October 10, 2019

Tiger Woods is fast becoming a top golf course designer, but he’s about to become a putting course architect, too. Yes, you read that right, and no, he’s not about to start crafting windmills and clown faces to putt into.

On Thursday, Woods and his TGR Ventures company announced a partnership with PopStroke Entertainment Group. PopStroke describes itself as a “technology-infused golf-entertainment concept featuring professionally designed putting courses and exceptional food and beverage” in the press release.

PopStroke has one location so far, in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with several new locations planned to open in 2020, including one in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a second Florida course in Fort Myers. So what will Tiger actually being doing as part of this venture? He’s going to design all future putting courses for PopStroke.

For those not in the know, putting courses are sort of a golfier version of putt-putt or mini golf. The courses, which can be found at illustrious golf venues like Bandon Dunes and Pinehurst, look more like real golf courses than mini golf courses, often featuring traditional sand and water hazards rather than the themed kind.

“This is a natural extension of my golf course design philosophy and my TGR Design business,” Woods is quoted as saying in the release. “Our goal has always been to design courses that bring people together and are fun for golfers of all abilities and ages.”

The PopStroke locations will also weave technology and competition into the experience (as well as food and alcohol), just as has been done at the popular Topgolf driving ranges. Players will use an “iPutt” golf ball that transmits scoring information to an associated mobile app, so golfers will be able to “compete against each other in a dynamic, social and tournament environment while earning ‘Pop Bucks’ through the PopStroke loyalty rewards app program.”

“Tiger Woods has had the most significant impact in growing the game of golf around the world,” PopStroke founder Greg Bartoli says in the statement. “His investment and partnership in PopStroke will undoubtedly introduce the game to a new and wider audience of participants.”

Interestingly, Woods isn’t the only major figure in the golf world involved in the project. Peter Bevacqua, the current president of NBC Sports and former CEO of the PGA of America, will serve on the company’s board.

You can check out some photos of the existing PopStroke location in Port St. Lucie below.

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