Golf SPAIN MEDITERRANEAN SEA ATLANTIC OCEAN

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2 2 3 SPAIN Golf MEDITERRANEAN SEA Cabo Negro El Jadida/Mazagan Mohammedia Bouznika Benslimane Settat ATLANTIC OCEAN CANARY ISLANDS Essaouira/Mogador MAURITANIA ALGERIA Editorial Mediterranean Golf clubs The Palmeral Golf Club, Saïdia Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club Tangier Royal Golf Club Golf Clubs in the heart of culture The Hassan II Trophy Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club Bouznika Bay Golf Club Fez Royal Golf Club Meknes Royal Golf Club Benslimane Royal Golf Club Mohammedia Royal Golf Club Anfa Royal Golf Club Settat University Royal Golf Club El Jadida Royal Golf Club Mazagan Golf Club The Atlas Golf Clubs Marrakech Royal Golf Club Amelkis Golf Club Palmeraie Golf Club Samanah Golf Club Mogador Golf Club Golf Clubs in the sun Agadir Royal Golf Club The Dunes Golf Club The Soleil Golf Club The Océan Golf Club Information and useful addresses Golf club addresses

3 4 5 Editorial Morocco, Kingdom of Golf Golf is both an art of living and an art of travelling all the more so in Morocco, where it becomes a subtle blend of elegance, good companionship and relaxation. Twenty-two clubs now exist in the Kingdom, each in its own magical setting, with further courses in the pipeline as part of the Kingdom s Azur Resorts Plan. Morocco is a land of varied landscapes, flora and climate, and it will come as no surprise that each club has its own personality, its own unique architecture. Whether you re a beginner or an old pro, you ll be sure to find a course to your taste, with personalised services tailored to your needs. Some courses have become the stuff of legend. In Marrakech, for example, you ll be playing in the footsteps of Churchill, and in Rabat, in those of Payne Stewart, Colin Montgomerie and Santiago Luna, all winners of the highly prestigious Hassan II Trophy. Elsewhere, in Agadir or El Jadida, you ll be playing in a holiday atmosphere, just a swing away from the magnificent beaches that adorn the Kingdom s Atlantic coastline. Every course, without exception, combines sumptuous scenery, top-quality service, and pleasant climatic conditions all year round. Whether you re golfing by the sea or in a mountain valley, your game can go side by side with cultural visits, top-of-the-line health and fitness care, or exploration of the Kingdom s endlessly varied landscapes. And Morocco s network of international airports ensures that your favourite course is just a few hours flight away! Quality courses and VIP treatment whether you re coming for a few rounds with friends, a lesson or two in the art, or with a competition ahead of you, we invite you to experience golf as you ve never played it before, in a country where hospitality and quality of service are legendary.

4 6 7 Mediterranean Golf Clubs A dream Golf course In the north of Morocco, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, three superb courses are at your disposal, all of them popular with European players, who flock to the area to test their skills summer and winter alike. The Mediterranean experience is an opportunity to acquaint yourself with Tangier, Pearl of the Straits, a cosmopolitan city whose white kasbah, great souk, palatine gardens and brilliant blue seascape will cast their spell over you the moment you arrive. A Nature reserve in the Saïdia region It also gives you the chance to pay a visit to Tetouan, a town where centuries of Arabic and Andalusian influence are borne witness to by a medina listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As for Saïdia, its proximity to the natural wonders of the Zegzel Valley, to the medina of Oujda, capital of the Oriental region, and to the historic oasis of Figuig, is an advantage that makes the resort more than worth a visit. The Palmeral Golf Club Saïdia Three clubs are planned for the resort, and this is the first to be completed. The 18-hole course was created by Spanish architect Francisco Segales - an American - style design with a few traditionally English touches thrown in for good measure, and in perfect harmony with its lush green setting. All the necessary infrastructures are provided for, to ensure that players of whatever level can enjoy their game to the full. When completed, the complex will have another 36-hole course and looks to become a model for golfing facilities throughout the Mediterranean region. Par : 72 Length: 6160 metres Covered practice bays, Golf carts, Credit cards accepted, Showers, The Cervantes Library, Tetouan Tamuda Bay beach

5 8 9 Overlooking the sea A symbol of tradition Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club Par: 72 Length: 6834 metres Tangier Royal Golf Club Par: 70 Length: 6100 metres Originally designed by Hawtree & Sons in 1976 and later remodelled by Cabell B. Robinson, to whom we owe its present appearance, the Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club lies on the slopes of the Rif massif, overlooking the sea. The course is scattered with sturdy shrubs, dunes, flowers, water hazards and hills, taking on a wilder and more natural allure in places, where mimosas and agaves lay claim to their territory. It is open all year round. Golf carts, This was the first club to open in Morocco, and retains the natural, authentic allure endowed upon it in 1914 by its designers, Cotton and Pennink. It has since been renovated and modernised, but has kept its original British feel. Everything here is pure delight, from the clubhouse belvedere, where you can stand and watch the action on the putting green and practice range, to the cool, quiet fairways laid out in shade of pine, fir, and eucalyptus trees. And when you get to the hole-5 green, the highest point along the course, you are rewarded by stunning views over the roofs of the white city of Tangier... Golf carts,

6 10 11 Golf Clubs in the heart of culture The Hassan II Trophy From palaces to putting greens Bolstered by the success of the Hassan II Trophy, golf has become an institution throughout Morocco and its age-old cities. Players who enjoy exploring cultures other than their own will find sumptuous courses awaiting them in Rabat, Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, El Jadida, and Benslimane towns with an impressive heritage testifying to the rich history of imperial Morocco, and where modernity goes side by side with some of the greatest masterpieces of Arab and Islamic architecture. Al Quaraouiyine Mosque, Fez Treat yourself to a slice of the Kingdom s culture and history, while perfecting your game at one or all of the ten clubs to be found along the way as you tour its cities. The Hassan II Trophy, a tournament like no other Created in 1971 by His late Majesty, King Hassan II, the Trophy that bears his name rapidly became an unmissable rendezvous for professional and amateur golfers who wanted to really put their game to the test. Mohammed V Mausoleum, Rabat Such world-famous players as Billy Casper, Santiago Luna, Payne Stewart, Colin Montgomerie and Vijay Singh have all left their mark on the event, which also includes a women s tournament, the Princess Lalla Meryem Cup. The Hassan II Trophy and the Princess Lalla Meryem Cup are part of the European Tour and the Ladies European Tour respectively.

7 12 13 Live the legend! Sublime by day, spectacular by night Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club, Rabat Rabat s Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club is a legend among golf fans, as the venue for the highly prestigious Hassan II Trophy. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, and inaugurated in 1971, this is a truly majestic course with splendid fairways winding their way between eucalyptus, palm trees, hyacinths, daffodils, mimosas, papyrus and Roman columns a unique experience of mingled colours and fragrances. Open all year round, the Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club is pure magic! Design features Number of holes: 45 Red course: Par: 73 Length: 6702 m Blue course: Par 72 Length: 6220 metres Green course: Par 32 Length: 2060 metres Services available Covered practice bays, Golf carts, Repairs, Credit cards accepted, Bouznika Bay Golf Club Bouznika Bay Golf Club is located halfway between Rabat and Casablanca, its superb 9-hole course surrounded by a magnificent beach. The club was designed by Von Hagge, and harmoniously combines golfing with seaside activities. The third hole, a sublime par 5 ringed by three cloverleaf bunkers, is a highpoint in the course, which should be extended to 18 holes. Another original feature: the course is lit up by night. Number of holes: 9 Par: 35 Length: 3040 metres Repairs,

8 14 15 One of nature s jewels An imperial course Fez Royal Golf Club At the foot of the Atlas Mountains, architect Cabell B. Robinson has made good use of nature s whims and the undulating terrain to design a wonderful course set in the midst of an olive grove. The Fez Royal Golf Course is open all year round, its fairways winding between lakes and gigantic bunkers, the largest of which covers some 1200 m2. Created in 1994, this is a deceivingly playful jewel of a course that few golfers can resist testing their skills on. Par: 72 Length: 6542 metres Golf carts, Repairs, Meknes Royal Golf Club History pervades the air around the Royal Golf Club in Sultan Moulay Ismail s imperial city of Meknes. The murmur of the mosaicadorned fountain, the walls sheltering a clubhouse with the roofs and minarets of the medina visible in the distance, and the mingled scents of the orange, plum, palm and olive trees in its garden are just a few of its charms. The club was founded in 1969, and is open day and night throughout the year. Number of holes: 9 Par: 36 Length: 2610 metres Covered practice bays,

9 16 17 A paradise of relaxation Swinging to the sound of the waves Benslimane Royal Golf Club Age-old cork oaks, firs, eucalyptus and fresh clean air the Benslimane Royal Golf Club is an oasis of well-being. David Cohen designed its first 9 holes, including five under the sign of water, while Robert Van Hagge took care of the remaining 18. The par-3 hole 8 requires strength and dexterity, to get to a green located on an islet overrun with papyrus grass. The club s emblem is a snail and if your ball gets lost in the forest undergrowth at the last hole, you ll know the reason why! Number of holes: 27 Course A: Holes: 18 Par 72 Length: 6065metres Course B: Holes: 9 Par 36 Length: 2990 metres Riding centre, Swimming pool, Solarium, Children s playground, Restaurant, Mohammedia Royal Golf Club Most of the Mohammedia Royal Golf Club s course lies alongside the seafront. Long, accurate strokes are required for the first nine holes, which are buffeted by strong side winds and scattered with challenging roughs. Designed in 1930 and later remodelled by Hugues Lambert, the course pays tribute to the golfing spirit 365 days a year. Par: 72 Length: 5870 metres Buggy,

10 18 19 Relax in the heart of the White City A bubble of serenity Anfa Royal Golf Club Anfa Royal Golf Club is a haven of tranquillity and well-being. The course comprises 9 shrewdly laid out holes that provide all the joys of the game every day of the year. This is a course to treasure, right up to the triumphant finale! And when you ve completed your round, don t leave without first climbing up to the clubhouse terrace to admire the superb garden below and the famous minaret of the Hassan II Mosque. Number of holes: 9 Par: 35 Length: 2700 metres Services available : Golf carts, Settat University Royal Golf Club The Settat University Royal Golf Club was originally created for use by students attending the University of Science and Technology in Settat, a small town 75 kilometres southeast of Casablanca. The region s legendary hospitality and unique microclimate make the Settat course a haven of serenity and relaxation. Number of holes: 9 Par: 37 Length: 3215 metres Golf carts, On-course drinking fountain,

11 20 21 Nature at its purest Tailor-made for your pleasure Photo credit: Mazagan Beach resort El Jadida Royal Golf Club Every hole you play here is a fresh invitation to live free as the wind and far from the madding crowd. The player feels in harmony with nature from the first swing to the last, a sensation further heightened by the work of architect Cabell B. Robinson, who takes us from one surprise to the next, to the crowning magic of the last three holes alongside the ocean. The club was founded in 1993, and its splendid diversity of plant life, towering monkey-puzzle trees, serene lakes and ocean shoreline are at your disposal all year round. Par: 72 Length: 6226 metres Credit cards accepted, Mazagan Golf Club Mazagan Golf Club was created by the South African golfer Gary Player, who is regarded as one of the finest players in the history of the game. He carried off his major victories on links-type courses, which were a major inspiration in his designing of the Mazagan course. With a total distance of 6885 metres, this is Morocco s longest golf course, with several sets of tees for each hole enabling players of all levels to take full advantage of its attributes. Par: 72 Length: 6685 metres Manual golf carts, Shop, Repairs, Changing rooms/showers, Credit cards accepted, School.

12 22 23 The Atlas Golf Clubs A sensory experience par excellence The Menara, Marrakech The Red City Marrakech is the golf city par excellence. Created in 1923 and headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, one of the world s finest golfing schools, the Marrakech Royal Golf Club is the second oldest in Morocco. Its greens have been trodden by such eminent figures as Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower Marrakech has expanded its golfing activities considerably since the early days, and the city is now surrounded by four clubs, their courses lying at the feet of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains. Here you can enjoy a round of your favourite game, breathing in the cool afternoon air after a hot day in the sun and there will still be time afterwards to take in a more cultural round of the city s monuments. From Jemaa-el-Fna, Marrakech s festive nerve centre and listed as a UNESCO World Oral Heritage site, let your footsteps lead you to one of the city s many gardens (the Menara perhaps, or the Majorelle), and then onwards to explore the labyrinthine bustle of the medina s alleyways. Jemaa El Fna, Marrakech Marrakech Royal Golf Club The Marrakech Royal Golf Club was one of King Hassan II s favourite courses, and has also attracted such illustrious players as Winston Churchill, Lloyd George, and Dwight Eisenhower. Created in the 1920s by Arnaud Massy and later modernised, it was designed with the joys of playing at the feet of the snow-capped Atlas in mind. Surrounded by cypress, palms, eucalyptus, and olive, orange and apricot trees, the pleasures of the game combine with those of the senses to make the course an unforgettable experience. Crédit photo : Paul MARSHALL Number of holes: 27 Par: 72 Length: 5888 metres Practice green, Leadbetter Academy, Repairs, Restaurant, Credit cards accepted

13 24 25 Under the spell of the oases An unforgettable oasis The Amelkis Golf Club Set at the feet of the Atlas Mountains, the Amelkis Golf Club was inaugurated in October 1995, its course faithfully reproducing Cabell B. Robinson s design, and incorporating the natural undulations and ochre-hued hillocks that characterise the terrain. This is a highly popular venue, due to its spectacular setting, the magnificent climate that it enjoys all year round, and its elegant, high-performance amenities. Number of holes: 36 Blue course: Par 36 Length: 3356 metres Red course: Par 36 Length: 3301 metres Green course: Par 36 Length: 3415 metres Practice green, Leadbetter Academy, Repairs, Restaurant, Credit cards accepted, Club house, Palmeraie Golf Club Thanks to the genius of its architect, the great Robert Trent Jones, who designed the course in 1992, the Palmeraie Golf Club, with its harmonious layout of lakes, fairways, greens and bunkers set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains, is a golfer s dream. The course is open every day of the year, and, with several sets of tees for each hole, playing it is a real pleasure whatever your level of skill. Par: 72 Length: 6200 m Practice green, Leadbetter Academy, Repairs, Restaurant, Credit cards accepted,

14 26 27 A real Desert Golf Club A seaside rendezvous Photo credit: Samanah Golf Club Photo credit: Golf de Mogador Samanah Golf Club The Samanah Golf Club is Marrakech s most recently created course, and a remarkable piece of design it is a selective course, uncluttered with pointless traps. There is no lack of natural obstacles to contend with, including river, waterfall, lake, and a tangled forest of olive trees and cacti, so you ll need all the strategic skills you can muster! With the majestic Atlas Mountains in the background, the club offers no less than five different courses, each one of them a challenge and a pleasure to play. Par: 72 Length: Black: 6735 metres White: 6342 metres, Yellow: 6092 metres, Blue: 5696 metres, Red: 5261 metres Covered practice bays, Shop, On-course drinking fountains, Changing rooms/showers, School, Course map. Mogador Golf Club There s no doubting the success of Essaouira s brand new Mogador Golf Club! Dunes make a perfect substitute for bunkers, and nature has done wonders in maximising the beauty of the setting and the intensity of play. The course, designed by Gary Player, is a brilliantly carried off combination of holes along the seafront, Scottish style, and holes tucked away in the sand, Arizona style. All in all, Essaouira s first club is an irresistible invitation to travel. Par: 72 Length: 6558 metres Covered practice bays, Shop, Repairs, On-course drinking fountains, On-course refreshment stand, Changing rooms/showers, Clubhouse Credit cards accepted School.

15 28 29 Golf Clubs in the sun The legend of the South Water sports in Agadir Agadir is becoming one of Morocco s top golfing cities, offering players a whole range of attractions alongside the pleasures of the game itself encounters with other cultures in its magnificent hinterland, wellness and fitness care in its thalassotherapy centres, and, of course, all the mouth-watering delights of Moroccan haute cuisine. Set between mountain and sea, with 360 days of sunshine a year, a mild climate whatever the season, and a bay boasting 10 kilometres of white sandy beaches, Agadir is an altogether unique golfing destination. Its four existing clubs, their fairways giddy with the mingled scents of eucalyptus, broom and mimosa, are soon to be joined by two new additions - the Taghazout Golf Club and Golf Beach. Agadir Bay Agadir Royal Golf Club In 1951, a certain Scottish golf enthusiast going by the name of Mr Wilson dug a single hole in what was, at the time, nothing much more than a piece of wasteland. Following his lead, the equally enthusiastic but rather more assiduous Colonel Kamili dug the remaining eight holes to create what is now the Agadir Royal Golf Club. Fragrant with the heady scents of fir, eucalyptus and mimosa, and lulled by gentle ocean breezes, the course is open all year round, under an eternally blue sky. Number of holes: 9 Par: 36 Length: 2934 metres Golf carts, Repairs, Credit cards accepted, Club house, Changing room,

16 30 31 From one surprise to the next A Garden of Eden The Dunes Golf Club The Dunes Golf Club was inaugurated in 1991 and has three very different 9-hole courses on offer - Eucalyptus, Oued, and Tamaris - promising three times the pleasure. They are the work of Cabell B. Robinson, who selected this undulating piece of land dotted with water hazards to design a facility where golf could be played at all levels of skill. Tamaris, a course that appears simple enough when you begin your round, finishes with a magnificently challenging par 5 that climbs uphill between the trees then gradually descends to the clubhouse, and requires all the subtle skill you can muster. Number of holes: 27 Yellow course: Par 36 Length: 3068 metres Blue course: Par 36 Length: 3124 metres Red course: Par 36 Length: 3175 metres Golf carts, Repairs, Credit cards accepted, Club house, Changing room, The Soleil Golf Club Agadir s Soleil Golf Club opened its doors in 1999, the work of Muela and Courbin. Their design includes lakes and waterfalls that enhance the course s beauty along with its difficulty an atmosphere that combines all the prestige of the game with dazzling natural surroundings where tamarind trees, mimosas, eucalyptus and bougainvilleas create plays of light and shadow along the wide fairways, which are open to lovers of the game all year round. Number of holes: 36 Par 72 Length: 6100 metres Golf carts, Repairs, Credit cards accepted, Club house, Changing room,

17 32 33 Sunshine and sand dunes Photo credit: Océan Golf The Océan Golf Club This recently opened club comprises three 9-hole courses designed by Collins Belt. Its unique setting gives you the chance to play both in the refreshing cool of the eucalyptus forest and alongside the ocean, lost among the dunes. And with the Soleil and The Dunes golf clubs close by, the creation of the Océan Golf Club and an intelligent entry system now makes it possible to play 81 holes all on the same site no small attraction! Number of holes: 27 Par: Manual golf carts, Shop, Repairs, On-course drinking fountains, On-course refreshment stand, Changing rooms/showers, School.

18 34 35 Information and useful addresses Golf club addresses Entry formalities A valid passport for a stay of less than 90 days is required. An identity card may suffice, depending on country of origin, if the trip is organised by a travel agency for a group of over 8 people. A visa is required for some nationalities enquire at a Moroccan consulate or diplomatic representation in your country. No specific vaccinations are required for entry into the Kingdom of Morocco. If you are bringing your pet along with you, however, you will need to be able to produce an anti-rabies certificate less than 6 months old. Changing money Moroccan currency is the dirham, made up of 100 centimes. Foreign currency must be exchanged at banks or other accredited establishments. Website : Time zone Morocco is in the Greenwich time zone, and time is G.M.T. Climate: Morocco enjoys a temperate climate, thanks to its Atlantic and Mediterranean exposure and the shelter provided by the Rif and Atlas Mountain ranges. Weather forecast: Language: Classical Arabic is the official language, but Moroccan dialectal Arabic is spoken for everyday purposes, as is Tamazight (Berber), spoken in the Rif, the Atlas and the Souss, and varying from region to region. The most common foreign language spoken is French, followed by Spanish and English. Electricity: 220 volts Event Calendar: Hassan II Trophy, stage in the European Tour - March Dar Es-Salam Royal Golf Club, Rabat Lalla Meryem Cup, stage in the Ladies European Tour, March, Anfa Royal Golf Club, Mohammedia Morrocan Classic, Challenge Tour April, El Jadida Royal Golf Club The Atlas Pro Tour: Mazagan El Jadida: January / February Lixus Larache: February / Alps Tour Mogador Essaouira: February / Alps Tour Cabo Negro Tetouan: February / EPD Tour Amelkis Marrakech: March / EPD Tour Final of Satellites Tour: December Moroccan National Tourist Office Angle rue Oued El Makhazine et rue Zellaqa Agdal Rabat Tel : / Fax : [email protected] Emergency phone numbers Police 19 Fire Brigade 150 Directory enquiries 160 Road safety services 177 The Palmeral Golf Club, Saïdia Route De Ras El Ma BP Saïdia Tel. : (+212) Fax: (+212) Tangier Royal Golf Club Route de Boubana - Tanger Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club Société Africaine du tourisme BP 696G Tétouan Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) Fez Royal Golf Club Km17, route d Imouzzer - Fès Tel.: (+212) /12 Fax : (+212) Meknes Royal Golf Club J nane Bahraouia - Bb Belkari - Meknès Tel. : (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club Km8, Avenue Immam Malik Tel.: (+212) /65 Fax : (+212) Bouznika Bay Golf Club Km 22, route secondaire de Bouznika Plage Bouznika Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) Mohammedia Royal Golf Club BP 12, Mohammedia Tel.: (+212) Fax: (+212) Benslimane Royal Golf Club BP 175 Fath - Benslimane Tel. : (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] Anfa Royal Golf Club Lice d Anfa - Casablanca Tel. : (+212) Fax : (+212) Settat University Royal Golf Club Km 2, route de Casablanca BP575 Settat Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) El Jadida Royal Golf Club Km7, route de Casablanca BP 116 El Jadida Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) Mazagan Golf Club Mazagan Beach Resort, route de Haouzia El Jadida, Maroc Té. : (+212) Marrakech Royal Golf Club Ancienne route de Ouarzazate B.P. 634 Marrakech Tel.: (+212) / Fax : (+212) [email protected] Palmeraie Golf Club Les Jardins de la Palmeraie B.P Marrakech Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] Amelkis Golf Club Route de Ouarzazate, Km Marrakech Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] Agadir Royal Golf Club Km 12, route d Ait Melloul - Agadir Tel.: (+212) / Fax : (+212) [email protected] The Soleil Golf Club Chemin des Dunes - Agadir Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] The Dunes Golf Club Chemin Oued Souss - Agadir Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) [email protected] Mogador Golf Club Mogador Golf Club Essaouira Tel. : (+212) Fax : [email protected] The Océan Golf Club Chemin de l Oued Souss Bensergao Inzegane / Agadir Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) Samanah Golf Club Km 14, Route d Amezmiz - Marrakech Tel.: (+212) Fax : (+212) For further information:

19 Moroccan National Tourist Office