Trout teaming up with Tiger to build a golf course

We all know Mike Trout is one of the best baseball players in the world. But a lesser-known fact is that the three-time MVP is no slouch with a golf club.

On Monday, Trout took his love of golf to a new level with the announcement that he’s partnering with Tiger Woods to build a new golf course in Vineland, N.J., mere miles from where he grew up. The course, which will be named Trout National – The Reserve, will be 18-holes and is slated to open in 2025. Construction on the course will begin this year, and it’s being designed by TGR Design, which is Woods’ golf course architecture firm.

Trout grew up in Millville, N.J., seven miles from the location of the course. Local businesspeople John and Lorie Ruga are also partners with Trout and Woods on the project.

“I could put down roots anywhere in the country, but Jessica and I make South Jersey our offseason home and always cherish the time we get to spend there,” Trout said in a news release. “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.”

The course, which is being built on the site of a former silica sand mine, will have a practice range, short-game area, clubhouse, restaurant, lodging and wedding chapel, among other amenities.

“We’re going to be doing some really cool things from a service and offering standpoint,” Trout said in the release. “Although plans aren’t finalized quite yet, I’ll put it to you this way -- this will not be your grandparents’ country club.”

Hopefully this means that we’ll get to see a match between Trout and Woods at some point. Earlier this year, Trout hit a ball at Topgolf 184 miles per hour – a speed that was faster than Woods’ 175-mph drive a month prior. Just don't expect Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani -- not exactly Jack Nicklaus on the links -- to challenge him to 18 rounds any time soon!

"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," Woods said in a statement. "It's a great site for golf and our team's looking forward to creating a special course for Mike, Jessica, John and Lorie."