Baseball star Mike Trout hires Tiger’s design firm for new course

  • Trout National
    Trout National

    Mike Trout, a 10-time Major League Baseball All-Star, is working with Tiger Woods and his TGR Design firm on a new golf course in New Jersey

Richard Humphreys
By Richard Humphreys

Mike Trout, a 10-time Major League Baseball All-Star, and New Jersey business owners John and Lorie Ruga are collaborating with Tiger Woods and his firm TGR Design on a new golf course in southern New Jersey.

Trout National – The Reserve will have an eighteen-hole course designed by TGR Design, a short layout, putting course, practice range, short-game area and clubhouse, along with other amenities including five-star lodging and a wedding chapel.

“I’m so excited to finally officially announce that we’re doing this project, and doing it in a community that means so much to me,” said the Los Angeles Angels centre fielder. “I was born in Vineland and raised in Millville. I met my wife, Jessica, in Millville, and my parents and siblings and in-laws still live in the area. I could put down roots anywhere in the country, but Jessica and I make South Jersey our off-season home and always cherish the time we get to spend there.

“I love South Jersey and I love golf, so creating Trout National – The Reserve is a dream come true. And then to add to that we’ll have a golf course designed by Tiger? It’s just incredible to think that this project has grown to where we’re going to be working with someone many consider the greatest and most influential golfer of all-time.”

Woods said: “I’ve always enjoyed watching Mike on the diamond so when the opportunity arose to work with him on Trout National – The Reserve, I couldn’t pass it up. It’s a great site for golf and our team’s looking forward to creating a special course for Mike, Jessica, John and Lorie.”

Construction will begin in 2023 and it is anticipated that the private club, located 45 minutes south of Philadelphia, will open for member play in 2025.

The course will be built on a site once home to a silica sand mine, with TGR Design planning to include playable sandy waste areas throughout the routing. The design team will route the course among the former quarry, an evergreen forest and rolling farmland.

According to TGR Design: “Trout National will be highly strategic in nature as sprawling fairways will offer multiple routes from tee to green. Undulating green complexes with low-cut surrounds will further emphasise the challenging, yet fun-focused design where risk-reward opportunities will be presented throughout the round to create an ideal match play environment. The unique nature of the course will promote creative shotmaking and optionality, qualities will be underscored with a striking par-three match hole inspired by Mike Trout, featuring multiple tee and green options.”

“Trout National – The Reserve is going to be the place where members gather to enjoy an unforgettable club experience,” said John Ruga. “Equally as important, we’re focused on making the club a catalyst for job creation and economic development in our area, while also exploring ways for non-members to enjoy it.”

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