 FEATURE STORY
Exclusive: Barack Obama to team with Tiger Woods Design in building ultra-exclusive golf resortsBy William K. Wolfrum, As the Democratic National Convention prepares to reach its apex with Barack Obama accepting his party's nomination at Invesco Field in Denver, many Americans still feel the Senator from Illinois has been much more about rhetoric than reason. "He wants change," people ask, "but what type of change is he speaking of?" Early this week, however, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton unleashed a bombshell strategy that promises to not just shake up the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign but also the entire United States economy. Barack Obama has signed a long-term contract with Tiger Woods Design to design golf courses around the globe. "This was the next logical step for Sen. Obama," said Burton. "We saw exactly how much money Dubai was paying Tiger Woods to design a golf course, and we knew that with Sen. Obama's international popularity this was something we needed to do." While the announcement that Obama will simultaneously design golf courses while continuing to campaign for the presidency - and continue afterward either as the President or Senator - will likely be met with skepticism, Burton pointed out all the positives. "The numbers being tossed around for Sen. Obama to create his own signature golf courses are mind-boggling," said Burton. "And every cent he earns will be used to offset the national debt, as well as create a national healthcare system." Reached for comment in Dubai, Woods said having Obama work for his company was a move that would secure his destiny. "My father said long ago that I would change the world," said Woods. "By working with Obama on these projects, I'll be doing just that. So, get off my back already." Details of Obama's golf designs are still under wraps, but sources close to the candidate have said Obama will create non-partisan golf courses of the highest quality for an exclusive clientele. The source added that the only clue the Obama Signature Courses were created by a liberal will be that all dogleg holes will go to the left. While many of Obama's Democratic supporters view the Tiger Woods Design deal as yet another sign of Obama's promise for change and his ability to think outside of the box, many others have reacted with confusion. "Looking at this purely as a golfer, I must admit I'm confused," said Tony Korologos of the Hooked on Golf Blog. "I mean, for a politician, Obama is a great athlete and he's not a horrible golfer. But designing golf courses? I don't get it." The campaign of Sen. John McCain has already put out a statement condemning Obama's new position as a golf course architect.
Nonetheless, others are thrilled at this new development. Patricia Hannigan, a well-known golf and fashion expert with strong ties to the Middle East, said that she is thrilled by the idea of golfing on a Barack Obama Signature Course. "Golf is supposed to be fun, and politics should be fun," said Hannigan. "Barack Obama and Tiger Woods working together? Oh my. I may faint with excitement." Burton hinted that Obama's first project will be named simply "Barack!" and be located in Dubai, next to The Tiger Woods Dubai, an exclusive golf community that will include Woods' first golf course design - Al-Ruwaya. And while "Barack!" will be equally exclusive - likely offering just 50 full-time memberships that will run a cool $1 billion annually each - Burton said it would be much more than an ultra-exclusive golf resort. "Sen. Obama sees this as a chance to take back from the petrol-dictators of the world," said Burton. "Before, we borrowed money from China to buy oil from the Saudis. Now, we'll be able to borrow money from China to buy oil from the Saudis, and then the Saudis will send the money back to us to play his golf course. This is just a can't-lose situation." August 28, 2008 Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. |
"Sen. Obama has once again shown that he does not believe that experience matters. He has as much experience designing golf courses as he does being President. He is not ready to lead the U.S. or a golf course design project. John McCain has experience and is ready to lead. And Sen. McCain would be designing golf courses, as well, if not for spending more than five years in a golf-free Vietnamese prison. Also, don't forget to buy 
