Golf icon Tiger Woods is taking on an exciting redevelopment project at Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia, where he’s establishing a new TGR Learning Lab.

Despite recently facing a setback with a significant Achilles injury following his return to the sport, Woods remains focused on revitalizing the historically inclusive Philadelphia golf course. Cobbs Creek, a pioneer since its inception in 1916, was among the rare courses of that era welcoming diverse players regardless of race, ethnicity, or background.

In alignment with his longstanding commitment to education and opportunity, Woods—who founded the TGR Foundation back in 1996—aims to rejuvenate Cobbs Creek. The site has witnessed a resurgence of attention and management shifts over recent years.

A whopping sum surpassing $100 million has been accumulated for the restoration of the establishment. Plans include erecting the TGR lab, a dual-level driving range, a quality restaurant, and an 18-hole playing field devised to meet PGA Tour benchmarks, potentially hosting future events.

Slated to debut in 2025, the TGR Learning Lab is set to span an impressive 30,000 square feet within the Cobbs Creek complex. This facility will devote itself to nurturing local youth with groundbreaking educational programs, access to higher education, career preparation, and golf initiatives that allow students to explore and reach their utmost potential, reports the Irish Star.

“It really has great history,” noted Enrique Hervada, Chief Operating Officer of the Cobbs Creek Foundation, which assumed control of the golf course. “We partnered with Tiger Woods and his foundation.”

Woods is expanding his educational footprint with a new TGR Learning Lab in Philadelphia, building on the success of his Anaheim, California, facility that’s been nurturing young minds for about 20 years. The golf legend has a personal connection to the Philly course through an old family friend, Charlie Sifford, who began his golfing career at Cobbs Creek and went on to break barriers as the first Black PGA winner.

Meredith Foote, the executive director of the TGR Learning Lab, highlighted the significance of Sifford’s legacy, saying, “There was a very special golfer who got his start here, and he was the first Black PGA winner named Charlie Sifford,” She also noted the deep ties between Sifford and the Woods family: “Charlie Sifford was friends with Tiger Woods’ father, Earl, and mentored him and became a father to him in his adulthood. And when Tiger had his second child, he named him Charlie after Charlie Sifford.”

The upcoming TGR Learning Lab may come with a hefty price tag, but it promises to be a free resource for the community, offering educational support and promoting healthy lifestyles. Foote elaborated on the diverse opportunities the lab will provide: “After school, summer, weekends, at night to explore an array of things ranging from podcasting, how to fly a drone,” and added, “You name it, we have it here. And we want kids to feel like this is a home away from home.”

Fatima Choudhry, an intern at the existing TGR Learning Lab, expressed her enthusiasm for the programs offered, particularly those that align with her aspirations: “I want be a doctor when I grow up. It’s really, really awesome how there’s courses here specifically tailored to science and engineering and math and arts and technology and all that, and it’s just really cool to get that hands-on experience.”

Since its inception in 1996, the TGR Foundation established by Tiger Woods has been a beacon of opportunity, aiding over 200,000 students with its innovative programs at the TGR Learning Lab. What’s more, Woods has paid homage to his father through the Earl Woods Scholar Program, offering pivotal support to students on the cusp of their college journey.

Woods reflected on the ethos behind his foundation, sharing, “When I was a kid, my parents instilled a core principle in my life: try to make an impact in one person’s life, every day,” and added, “At TGR Foundation, we are doing just that, making a meaningful impact on the lives of youth one day at a time.”