Golf fit for a King in the Kingdom of Light

The Hassan II Trophy is one of the only events in world golf that features both men and ladies competing during the same week. The Royal Dar Es Salam golf club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr back in 1971, back when he was also involved in Valderrama, and the Hassan 2 Trophy Committee prepared the Blue and Red Course for both week long competitions.

Morocco has a long history with golf since the first course by Cotton and Pennink opened in Tangiers back in 1914. Two more courses opened in the ‘30s which provided the green shoots of golf in the Kingdom. It was King Hassan II himself who in the 70s started a large scale golf program, building courses to create additional tourism opportunities.

He also started the Hassan II Trophy back in 1971 and which has some serious pedigree now with winners like Casper, Trevino, Townsend, Singh, Payne Stewart, Price, Montgomerie, Torrance, Harrington, Els and many more.

This year’s event was aptly named, the Return of the Champions as the Red Course hosted the PGA Tour Champions and the familiar faces of John Daley, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Monty, JM Olazabal, Bjorn and the eventual winner Ricardo Gonzalez. It was also the first official tournament for Angel Cabrera. The Champions Tour carries a more relaxed atmosphere with most of the pro's much more approachable. I guess they all have seen and done it before.

The LET battled it out on the Blue Course and England’s Bronte Law took the tournament with a course record 9 under par on the final day to come from behind.

There were a few local players in the Ladies’ field with Ines Laklalech and Sofia Cherif Essakali. Both performed at a high level and have become role models for girls looking to take up the sport. With that in mind, there was a signing of a tripartite agreement between the Ministry for Education, the Federation of School Sports and the Moroccan Golf Federation to provide golf tuition in schools. The Royal Family with Prince Moulay Rachid and Princess Lalla Meryem are the patrons of golf in Morocco and there is definitely no lack of initiative from their part. They were both present and presided over the trophy ceremony.

Morocco has around 40 golf courses spread out over the country. There are 4 clusters,? the Mediterranean Experience around Tangiers, the Cultural Experience featuring Rabat, Fez, Casablanca and El Jadida. Centrally there is the Atlas Experience around Marrakech and South the Sun Experience around Agadir. All have their own airports with plenty of direct access from many countries.

I’ve been to Morocco a number of times over the years but it has really impressed me since my return last year. And my visit to the Hassan 2 Trophy was no different. Rabat is a low rise city with wide boulevards and feels extremely safe. The people are extremely friendly and the younger generation is well versed in the English language so no issues there.

I also took a trip inland from Rabat up to Ifrane and the latest edition to Moroccan Golf. The Michlifen Resort & Golf sits high up in the mountains. It’s a Jack Nicklaus Signature course and part of the IMG Prestige network. All the facilities are top notch, course, clubhouse, academy and restaurant with an open kitchen. The 5* hotel is about 10 min away in the centre of town and gives an Alpine feel given it regularly gets covered in snow. The selection of rooms, suites and other amenities like a spa, pool and sports centre makes it one of the best ones I’ve been to. The main employer of the region is the Ifrane water company which gives you an indication of the purity of the region.

The Par 72 course stretches to 6,671 meters and is definitely no pushover and you are better not distracted by the views over the valley. There is quality everywhere you look. The sand capped fairways play firm and fast and as it’s high up, the region is a refuge for people looking for some cooler summer temperatures. A definite must play if you look are looking for quality alternatives.

I did get a chance to play another course, the Bahia Beach near Bouznika. Played it last year and enjoyed it and this time it was no different. The Cabell B. Robinson design is very varied and has 101 bunkers, most of them visual deterrents and not necessarily in play. It's well kept but needs a buggy to get round as it's quite a stretch. The back 9 is my favourite of the two.

I enjoyed my time in Morocco during the Hassan 2 Trophy and it strengthened my belief that the country is a serious contender to challenge the established destinations and draw more and more sun loving golfers to their fairways.

Personally, I would like to thank the Moroccan Golf Federation, Hassan El Mansouri and Mounia El Khettar and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Committee for the invitation and Asmaa Mazzi , the lady who took care of us for anything practical. I was fortunate to play in the Friendship Cup Pro-Am with Mario Tiziani which was thoroughly enjoyable. The whole week was an experience and extremely well organised.

With Zest.Golf we are working hard to bring the Moroccan tee time inventory online so that our channels can easily find and book tee times in the various regions to suit their customers. This makes the Moroccan Golf courses much more accessible to international travellers. We will be updating you soon.

Fédération Royale Marocaine de Golf Zest.Golf B2B Tee Time Channel Manager European Golf & Travel Media Association

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