As the sporting world’s eyes turn to Augusta, Georgia, for the 80th running of the Masters golf tournament next week, a 795-acre parcel of land in North Carolina reminds us of one of its greatest ever champions, Tiger Woods. Some 150 miles directly north as the crow flies from the manicured fairways and famous bunkers of Augusta National Golf Course, this $24-million acreage was originally planned as a luxury mountain resort called the Cliffs at High Carolina. The property’s centerpiece was to be the first Tiger Woods-designed golf course in the United States. Unfortunately, the project derailed when the owners foreclosed on the property in 2013 during the economic downturn that followed the 2007-09 “Great Recession.”
Occupying elevations between 3,400 to 4,200 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains east of Asheville, the land features a unique mountaintop bowl where Woods’ layout was already under development when the project ran into financial difficulties. Enviable 360-degree views encompass the forested peaks of Pisgah National Forest, home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi, 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell. Originally purchased for $40 million by the former developer, the land also includes an eight-acre stocked lake. The brokerage firm representing the seller have trademarked the sale as “The Majestic Highlands of Asheville.” According to the listing materials, 24 as-yet undeveloped homesites are scattered through an additional 55-acre parcel that the seller is willing to discuss as a separate sale.
Tiger Woods, who is yet to confirm he is playing in this year’s Masters, has a flourishing golf course design firm, the aptly named Tiger Woods Design. Bluejack National in Montegomery, Texas, claimed honors as Woods’ first U.S. course, opening its first nine holes in fall 2015. The back nine holes are planned to be unveiled this spring.