Mike Trout, Tiger Woods team up to build golf course in New Jersey

Two heavy hitters in two different sports are combining forces on a new venture -- an 18-hole championship golf course in southern New Jersey.

The idea was the brainchild of three-time American League Most Valuable Player Mike Trout, who grew up in Millville, N.J., not far from the site of the planned course, Trout National -- The Reserve.

The designer is none other than 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, whom Trout says was favorite golfer growing up.

“I thought it would be pretty cool to reach out," Trout said, according to Sports Illustrated. We reached out, got a positive vibe when we mentioned it and got his team down to the site. Once Tiger’s team came down to the site, they loved it. It’s surreal. I mean, it’s friggin’ Tiger!"

Trout learned to play the game in high school, tagging along with his father. He told Sports Illustrated he now carries a handicap of "seven or eight," and he usually hits his drives 330-360 yards "when I'm not letting it go."

Trout and Woods plan to have the course -- located in Vineland, N.J., 45 minutes south of Philadelphia -- open for member play in 2025.

It's expected to have a signature hole with an island green, as the promotional video Trout released on Monday teased.

"Baseball always is my number one priority," Trout said. "I just enjoy golf. It’s a great mental getaway from the game.”

“My favorite golfer growing up obviously was Tiger,” Trout says.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger Woods to design new championship golf course for Mike Trout