Paris: Tiger Woods has announced he is to design his first golf course in Dubai.

The 30-year-old world number one launched his Tiger Woods Design company last month as he joined other golfing greats such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo in the lucrative business of course design.

The Tiger Woods Dubai development will feature a par-72 course, a golf academy, 300 luxury villas, 20 mansions and an 80-room VIP hotel, the American said on his official website.

It will be in a joint venture between Woods' company and Tatweer, an off-shoot of the government-owned Dubai Holding with a completion date scheduled for late 2009

"I am excited about the challenge of transforming a desert terrain into a world-class golf course," Woods said.

"I have a vision of creating something that is uniquely mine and I want to realise this vision in Dubai. 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.

Woods has played several times in the Gulf region's top golfing event, the Dubai Desert Classic, winning for the first time in February when he defeated Ernie Els in a play-off.

He has said he will once again be in Dubai to defend his title next year.