Is Tiger Woods in Seclusion in Dubai?
This is intended to be fun and only vaguely serious. I don't know where Tiger is. I frankly don't really care all that much. I just wanted to act like Columbo for once.
Tiger Woods has not been seen and photographed in public since his appearance at the Stanford-California football game on November 21. Since he life has come under intense scrutiny following his single-car accident in the wee hours of Friday after Thanksgiving, no photos have surfaced of him, or him with his wife Elin.
There has been speculation that Woods is living in another home in Orlando, the guest home of his property in Orlando, and on his yacht Privacy. With the Associated Press reporting that a first photo of Woods after the accident potentially yielding nearly half a million dollars, there is quite a global hunt going on to track down the secluded golf superstar. It may be time to consider that Woods is in Dubai.
Dubai satellite view [Google Maps]
TMZ first reported that it obtained itinerary information for Rachel Uchitel to fly to Melbourne to be with Woods while he played in the Australian Masters. That same itinerary then suggests a flight for Uchitel from Melbourne to Dubai after the tournament. Then two days later, Uchitel was set to return to the United States.
The email signature from Uchitel's forward to a friend or associate - also obtained by TMZ - is consistent with the email signature that was found in my correspondence with her from when I contacted and interviewed her on the day after Thanksgiving.
The Daily Beast reported yesterday that Woods flew Uchitel to Dubai "where [Woods] was to play in a tournament." That's not true. Woods was not playing a tournament in Dubai. But, Woods may well have been retiring to his mansion estate at his Tiger Woods Dubai project.

December 2008 aerial photograph of Tiger Woods Dubai
Located outside of the population centers of Dubai in Dubailand (dubbed "Disney World on steroids"), the Tiger Woods Dubai is to be host to 287 custom built home sites and Al Ruwaya - a long-delayed 7800 yard golf course that is to be Woods' first design.
Map of the proposed Tiger Woods Dubai
Due to financial problems with the Duabi government and the project, the course has been indefinitely on hold. Still, Woods is to have built a 16,500 square foot mansion in the development that is struggling to sell in the global economy and is largely incomplete. Today, the Dubai government responded to questions from the press by reaffirming their commitment to completing the project.
Three days ago, Dubai Golf's chief executive Mohammad Juma Bu Amin said in an open invitation to Woods to return to golf in Dubai, "We will be more than delighted to welcome you to Dubai. Consider Dubai your second home."
The quote is curious considering Dubai's strict anti-adultery laws. Though more often applied to women than men, the penalties are harsh.
Deadspin reported today that Tina Trahan is a part of Tiger's very close circle of friends the he normally works with to coordinate his global travels, including to and from Dubai. Close friend Byron Bell - the same man purported to have arranged for Rachel Uchitel's travel - also manages Tiger Woods' design firm.
Provided that most of Woods' vast real estate portfolio is in the United States - and nearly population centers - it seems unlikely that Woods would remain near where people can see him.
In Dubai, Woods not only has his name on a massive, largely undeveloped property, but also the full backing of the Dubai government in exchange for his services and appearances at their Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament.
It has been a good relationship for Woods to date.
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65 comments
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Comments
so now we’re working on a new book for golf fans…ok….low-life gossip mongers and tabloid "journalists can play, too…a take off on Where’s Waldo ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 7:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Haha, should I insert a Waldo graphic on the Dubai satellite Google map? I’d laugh
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Court.....Who's Waldo.....
The article was about Where’s Tiger. C’mon Court try to keep up. Focus. Pay Attention. Ok, now Who’s Waldo?
by em66 on Dec 16, 2009 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lol – would you prefer Where in the world is Carmen San Diego ? Maybe a little more adult appeal. :-)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Does she know Tiger....and please
don’t tell me she is blond. Oh, man it’s 6:30, time for my PED’s and Steroids. Maybe I’ll shoot a 65 tomorrow and be able to change my name to em65………naw probably not….lol
by em66 on Dec 16, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just for you, I embedded Waldo into this post so you can play when you’re done searching for Tiger. They both wear red.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For half a million bucks
I’m tempted to grab my camera and hit the road.
by Double Eagle on Dec 16, 2009 7:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, if you find him, the money you would make would be more than worth the travel cost of getting to him, right? That’s what I thought when I read the AP story.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Who's on first?
And does anybody really care who isn’t gonna make a half mil or more for the snapshot?
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s really fascinating to hear about what photographers go through to try to get these shots. While I don’t really respect what the papparazzi do, the money that drives them is stunning.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Astounding amounts of cash!
But we can’t afford health care? Wanna know where all the money goes in this country?
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
BTW...
Does this remind anyone else of a miscreant frat boy hiding out in his parent’s garage to avoid the embarassment of getting one of the cheerleaders pregnant?
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 7:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tiger's actually....
Hiding out at my house. Don’t worry my wife’s not blond.
Roll Tide !!
by tigerhead on Dec 16, 2009 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
BTW, tigerhead...
I am from Texas, so I really hope the Tide doesn’t roll too hard!
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s to a good game.
Roll Tide !!
by tigerhead on Dec 16, 2009 8:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll drink to that,
my friend.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
tigerhead......very funny, glad to hear
you joke about it. BTW, if he asks you for any PED’s or Steroids…..“just say no”…..lol
by em66 on Dec 16, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No PED's here...
But hmmm, if they could help me putt like that, maybe I would :)
Roll Tide !!
by tigerhead on Dec 16, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Shouldn't be hard to spot...
I understand that blondes, and especially cocktail waitresses, are EXTREMELY rare in Dubai!!!!!
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think it's plausible...
…not only because of what Ryan reports but also because in the Arab culture hospitality… particularly hospitality extended to a friend or colleague when they are being shunned by others… is considered not just admirable, but sacred. The reason being that the people are almost all the descendants of traveling nomadic tribes who depended on each other’s hospitality to survive hunger, thirst, sandstorms etc in a harsh desert environment.
Hospitality is therefore one of the hallmarks of Arab culture and demonstrates one’s virtue and it’ll be extended without regard for personal cost. Remember when Michael Jackson was shunned by everyone… before he died and every started liking him again… well, he ended up in the Arabian Gulf as well.
by golfgirl on Dec 16, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
golfgirl
Didn’t mean to be too flip about that. Their culture is an extremely rare and beautiful example of near unanimous virtue where hospitality is concerned.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It just seems like it makes sense by process of deduction, and like you said, Dubai particularly is very hospitable to westerners who seek privacy.
Good call on explaining Arab culture – it really makes sense in ways I didn’t think about when first writing this.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention the decidedly mysoginist leanings of their culture.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 16, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Let me tell you something handicapismyswing...
…I’m not here to defend the Arab culture or anything, but it should be pointed out that just as we see their culture as misogynistic, so do they see ours.
As implausible as it may seem to us, many Arabs see the way western men interact with women as barbaric and misogynistic. They’d probably point to the Tiger scandal and the photos of alleged mistress 1, 2, 3, 4 … etc. and say. “What a pity, this is what happens when parents don’t protect their daughters. The poor girls fall victim to predatory males and lose all their dignity” – - And, they’d add – - “In our culture, we love our daughters too much to send them out all alone on spring break in Cancun… or into the nightclubs of Las Vegas or New York where they’d find themselves being plied with alcohol and pulled onto dance floors full of sweating undulating bodies… then hit upon by rich unscrupulous athletes” … You see where I’m going with this, handicapismyswing?
We in the western world see the Arab way as repressive while they see it as protective. They see our way as selfish and uncaring while we see it as respectful of individual liberty. Neither way is necessarily “the right way” for everyone. Of course there are extremes on either side that are bad … buy mostly it’s just different strokes. And many Arab women I met – - – while they’d like to have somewhat more freedom – - – do not approve of the western way of life, nor would they want to see their own culture “westernized”
Of course I’d never want to live in an Arab society myself, but that’s because I was raised in this culture. Anyway sorry to ramble on, but I think it’s important for all of us to try to be more objective about understanding of different cultures and lifestyles. Ok… bye.
by golfgirl on Dec 17, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You must have missed my post above...
Where I apologized for popping off with a flip response. I actually admire much of what Arab culture embodies, and their hospitality to others is a part that I admire. I also believe that they are sincere in believing that their treatment of women is generally to protect them from unscrupulous men, who are regarded (or excused) as being slaves to their carnal nature. What troubles me about their treatment of women is the harsh and repressive treatment of those found to have tempted a man to fall the that excused weakness. I am objective about other cultures, but I still find the objectification of women unacceptable in my view.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I apologize, I actually, I didn't miss it...
… I just thought it was meant as sarcasm after I read the objectification one. And yeah, I agree, the harsh extremes are bad everywhere. Regarding the objectification of women there’s probably more of that in western cultures than in MidEastern ones and I always find it interesting that in general women seem to be less bothered by objectification of women then men. I can think of a few reasons why that might be, but it’s a whole new discussion. :o)
by golfgirl on Dec 17, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Men are most often, because of long standing ascendency in the modern world, objectified by women as wealth, power, or financial viability. An interesting perspective.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nnnaaaaaahhhhh....you're all way off...
…Tiger’s in Vegas, hiding out at the MGM dressed in an Elvis jump suit with the big golf sunglasses and sidburns. He’s going back to his Butch Harmon roots at Rio Secco.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 8:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tiger’s not in Dubai – someone would’ve noticed his jet missing or checked flight plans or looked for private jets flighing in from Dubai – probably would’ve noticed the yacht gone from it’s moorings, too.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2009 8:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What I've been wondering today...
Is TGC going to air “Tiger Week” this year? Would be the first time in about a decade if they don’t…just saying.
Roll Tide !!
by tigerhead on Dec 16, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Arab Culture
I have many an Arab friend and client and believe me it’s not all a bowl of cherries over their. Many woman are treated like second class citizens, not to mention having to wear burka’s in many Arab area’s. (not all) As far as Michael Jackson goes, and at the risk of sounding cynical, It was well publicised that younger men and boys were there for the taking for Michael and legal. I know that sounds mean but thats what was said
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 9:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
The other side of the coin
I have lived and worked in the Middle East for some years, including Kuwait & Bahrain, and visited many other Arab countries, including Dubai. The latter is the cesspit of the Arab world – anything goes as long as it is behind closed doors, and if you have sufficient money. Contrary to Handi’s joke – it is indeed awash with blondes – mainly E. European prostitutes, and alcohol is permitted in hotels, bars, etc. & that isn’t a flip response. Whilst the culture may seek to protect the honour of Moslem women, for some Arabs no such attitude applies to non-Moslem women, particularly Westerners.
We do still have Arab friends from those years, but they are the ones who are as appalled at the moral hypocrisy of some of their countrymen as we were.
by WendyUK on Dec 17, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
and now for the male reading of wendy's post...
…yada yada yada yada yada yada yada – awash in blondes – yada yada yada yada – alchohol – yada yada yada… :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Court
You just really don’t like women, do you? That’s a shame. You’re missing out on genuinely having a chance to be friends with some of the nicest people in the world.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sigh – I’m asking Santa to send you a sense of humor
how in the WORLD do you get “he hates women” out of that ? It’s a play on a very old dog joke.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I got the joke...
…but even if my sense of humor was turned off, I would think it would have insulting to men, i.e. we can’t have a meaningful conversation, as opposed to woman-hating.
by Double Eagle on Dec 17, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a great sense of humor, but you seem to joke with the female bloggers here in an often dismissive, desultory fashion. Meanwhile, your jokes with men are most often collegial and fraternal. We’re all on the same team, buddy. Just an observation. Those kind of jokes might be a little out of place in a cross gender discussion of the objectification of women, which is the direction the gist of the conversation had moved.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 11:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
let me guess – 5 sisters…all older ?
trust me – Wendy is a big girl with a top notch sense of humor – she’ll get the joke and probably wonder what the heck your problem is.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oldest of four, two sisters the youngest. What I see in your posts is an attitude I worked on for years to overcome in my own life, a change that has made my existence inestimably more rich and full.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
congratulations – I’m happy that you don’t hate women any more…personally, I enjoy the back and forth gender jokes between good natured men and women. If Wendy comes back with a “men are pigs” joke, I will enjoy it in the spirit in which it was intended. D and I trade barbs quite a bit – and we still consider each other friends. If you choose to wallow in the quagmire of the politically correct, I will never tell you not to – but if you don’t get the joke, I’m sorry for you…especially since DE is correct – it is more of a shot at us men.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
PC is a sterile euphemism for kind and caring. I GOT the joke, just didn’t find it very funny in context. Over and outta here.
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you believe that if you want – but the language has gotten incredibly sterile, not to mention filled with double standards that make PC-ism a hugely hypocritical.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Happy Cristmas and all that...I'm off out to have fun on route to a hangover...cheers !
by Easingwold on Dec 18, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
enjoy – drive safely….or don’t drive !
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 18, 2009 12:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Never drive while drinking....
I’ve found a shorter club work’s better!~
by handicapismyswing on Dec 18, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHA
tff ,, Cross-Gender, not to be confused with Cross-Dresser I hope. But what if someone is in pre-op or, O’h never mind…..whats the topic of discussion anyway ? j/k ,Tomorrow I plan on yelling “get in the hole” after I hit my tee shot on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass Stadium… jumpn/progolf
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
lol
no kidding ? the stadium course ? VERY cool.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no kidding court
I’m a member @ Sawgrass
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
DANG ! Wish I had known that over Thanksgiving – ended up playing at St John’s CC. Thought we were going to get to play the Valley course, but our coupons blacked out the holidays.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
St J's in Jacksonville I assume
Good course, I played there a few times over the last 3 years or so. 7200 yards from the gold tee’s and about 6700 from the blue I think. HUUUUGE practice putting green there as well. The price is right also. I am allowed to have guest play from time to time at Sawgrass but you still have to pay and it isn’t cheap. I may have an extra “all access pass or two” for the 2010 players championship and may have some type of golf trivia contest in here to award them as a prize. We shall see.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep – that’s the one. Played with my brother, a cousin, and a friend o’ the family and had a great time. Very pretty golf course. The FotF used to be a pretty darn good golfer – he got to the nationals in the old Oldsmobile Challenge. Ended up playing with David Duval’s dad as their local pro sponsor.
you will definitely be “da man” if you do that in these here parts.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
cool cool
I would think with all of Ryans pull, he would be able to get tour event tickets on a regular basis. Hell, He has Rachael Uchitels phone # hence the interview, maybe she can “Score” ar ar ar some tickets.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol – wouldn’t THAT be funny ? An engaged RB comes up with tickets from RU. He might be taking out a line of credit at the local jewelry store for that one.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, I can get some tickets, but not a lot of tickets and only to some events where I know the tournament or promotions staff. But I don’t think I’ll be giving any to Rachel.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 17, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
stop begging
:o) j/k I thought Rachael would get you some ;o) I attend 14 tournaments a year, its part of what I do for a living. And NOOOO I’m not with the NE or TMZ, but for the right price maybe I could sell them an interview or take some pics LOL j/k How the hell I landed the contract with the PGA to clean the locker rooms is beyond me but you sure can get a lot of gossip hiding out in a vacant locker. buahahaha
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LMAO !!
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Dec 17, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The stuff that I’ve heard inside of clubhouses is the stuff of quiet legend.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 17, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
very very true Ryan
And to add to that, what the players have to say off camera, compaired to what they say LIVE with a microphone in there face is waaaaaaaaaaaay different. It even gets better over a few cocktails. I always have some type of juicy gossip, but true gentleman of the game, don’t bite the hand that feeds them. I would never sacrifice my business or reputation over a few dropped lines of gossip, no way no how.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 17, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, where’s my invite to come play down there?! J/k!
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 17, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good one, jumpn!
Now THAT’S funny! LOL!
by handicapismyswing on Dec 17, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey Jumpn
I am here. To defend the defenseless, and fight for the virtue of the scorned. Ok Ok. I lie….I’m here to get the dirt, and dish my own. Thanks for the invite. And Happy Holidays. ps. the rags pay really well for locker room……up and close and personal NEWS. I’m just saying. You could be Golf’s James Bond. Double-O Bogey, or something…..lol
by Fairways and Grins on Dec 20, 2009 8:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Glad you joined F&G’s its all good :o)
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
by progolf on Dec 20, 2009 12:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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