Tiger Woods to help revive historic American golf course

Tiger Woods is lending his legendary touch to one of America’s most historic public golf courses.

Woods, 49, has reportedly agreed to help redesign Langston Golf Course — the storied Washington, D.C. venue built in 1939 as the city’s first course for African American golfers.

Ed Russo, chairman of the White House Environmental Advisory Task Force, confirmed the update to Front Office Sports. 

"I'm responsible for redesigning it and making it better than it ever was, and I’m proud to say that Tiger Woods has agreed to help me do that.”

Russo added: "I can’t wait to work with Tiger. He’s a great guy."

The collaboration places Woods at the heart of a landmark restoration project with deep social and cultural roots. 

Langston Golf Course, named after John Mercer Langston — the first African American congressman from Virginia — has long stood as a symbol of inclusion in a game that once shut its gates to players of colour.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the course was managed by Lee Elder, who famously broke the colour barrier at The Masters in 1975. 

Woods has repeatedly credited Elder for paving the way for black golfers, making this latest move feel especially poignant.

Langston is part of the Nation’s Capital Project, a sweeping revitalisation led by the nonprofit National Links Trust (NLT), which operates three D.C. municipal courses under a 50-year lease from the National Park Service. 

Alongside Langston, Rock Creek Park Golf Course and East Potomac Golf Links are also set for major overhauls.

The NLT has enlisted some of the biggest names in course design to take part pro bono — including Gil Hanse (Rock Creek), Beau Welling (Langston), and Tom Doak (East Potomac). 

Work on Rock Creek is already underway, with completion expected around 2027 at a cost of up to $35 million. 

Once finished, attention will then turn fully to Langston.

While Woods’ design firm, TGR Design, is not formally involved, Welling — who heads up the Langston project — is a senior consultant for TGR, suggesting Tiger’s contribution will be personal rather than contractual.

Russo’s primary focus will be on the environmental side of the rebuild, including restoring the habitat for menhaden fish along the Anacostia River. 

But it’s the prospect of Woods shaping part of Langston’s rebirth that’s generating serious excitement.

The National Links Trust declined to comment on Woods’ involvement, and his agent Mark Steinberg did not respond to requests for confirmation.

Still, Woods’ presence feels symbolic. 

It’s the modern great paying tribute to the pioneers who came before him — and ensuring their legacy lives on through golf’s next era of inclusivity.

A meaningful comeback project

The timing is notable. 

Woods is currently sidelined as he recovers from the seventh back surgery of his career — a lumbar disc replacement performed in October. 

The 15-time major champion has not played competitively on Tour since missing the cut at The Open in July 2024 and isn’t expected to return until at least The Masters in April 2026.

Even so, the record-tying 82-time PGA Tour winner has made a rare public appearance this week, spotted filming a new campaign for Bridgestone Golf featuring a fresh Insperity logo on his sleeve — hinting that Woods’ commercial and course design interests remain active even while he heals.

And he’s not the only Woods making headlines.

Tiger’s 16-year-old son, Charlie Woods, is competing this week (14–15 November) at the Florida Class 1A State Championship at Mission Resort + Club in Howey-in-the-Hills. 

The young Woods, already a fixture on the junior circuit, will be teeing it up for The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, continuing to carve his own path in the game that made his father a global icon.

As Tiger helps rebuild a course rich in African American history, his son takes the next step on his own journey — a neat full circle for golf’s most famous family.