GolfPlus - Nov 19 Digital Edition (Nov 19) | Page 30
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UNIQUE GOLFING EXPERIENCE IN MOROCCO
By Chitranjan Bakhshi
MUST PLAY
GOLF COURSES
Royal Golf Dar Essalam: The course has
two amazing 18-Hole Golf Courses. In
addition, They have the most spectacular
training Academy with 9 holes. Traced by
Robert Trent Jones Sr., the Royal Golf of
Dar Es Salam is only about fifteen minutes
from the center of Rabat, capital of the
Kingdom of Morocco.
Berber tent at the poolside of the hotel
Royal Golf Meknes: The course is in
the gardens of Sultan Moulay Ismail
surrounded by walls that the Royal Golf
of Meknes unrolls its fairways. The play is
a privilege because it is the only golf of a
Royal Palace which is open to the public.
The Michlifen Golf & Country Club: The
course is set in majestic and unspoiled
nature in the heart of the Middle Atlas,
a region known for its charming alpine
architecture. At 1650 meters above sea
level, between mountains and forests
of cedars or oaks, a beautiful setting
for a superb 18 holes. Throughout your
journey, you will see breathtaking 360
° views, centuries-old trees and rocky
outcrops reminiscent of the force of time.
Chitranjan Bakhshi, Yash Soni from Par Excellence Golf, UK
with Peter Walton, CEO-IAGTO (Center) at the IGTM’19
orocco is one of the hottest
destinations in the world for
golf holidays. Millions of
dollars have been invested
over the last few years, giving
the golf enthusiasts dozens of
top golf courses around the kingdom to play
on. Coupled with Morocco’s great climate,
easy accessibility and exotic but welcoming
nature it’s no surprise that golfers from
around the world are fl ocking to the country
and bringing their clubs with them.
Golf in Morocco is popular because of
the support of the Royal family. The late King
Hassan II, was an avid golfer as was his sister,
Lalla Ayishi. Today, the younger brother of
the king, Prince Moulay Rachid is a lover
of the game, and with the continued royal
patronage, the game of Golf in the country is
fl ourishing!
There are around 25 golf courses in all
the main cities: Marrakech, Agadir, Rabat,
Casablanca, Tangiers and Fez, and many more
world class courses across the country. Top
international designers such as Gary Player,
34 G o l f P l u s
NOVEMBER
Rolling fresh Dominican Cigars at IGTM
Kyle Phillips and Jack Nicklaus have been
brought in to sculpt these courses, ensuring
that they are not only challenging and fun, but
also that they make the most of their unique
Moroccan location. The Nicklaus signature
course has 18 stunning holes constructed in
the spectacular Little Anti-Atlas Mountains
of Morocco. The course also has a 5 star
deluxe hotel which has over 70 rooms and
suites. One can even have a traditional dinner
in a Berber tent at the poolside of the hotel!
With a view to promote the destination
to the international golf tourism industry, the
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) is
the annual golf trade show for the golf tourism
industry. The once a year event celebrates
the renowned Golf Tourism Initiative which
brings together the best of the Golf Travel
Community every year. Initiatives organised
included golf tournaments and FAM tours pre
and post show for participants at some of the
region’s best golf courses.
The host city of Marrakech provided the
perfect blend of climate, culture, and golf
welcoming golf enthusiasts from around the
2019
Royal Golf Fez: The 9 holes golf course
is characterized by fairways winding
between the woods and along the wadi,
where lagoons and water features have
been arranged on both sides of the
canal, to offer golfers a unique gaming
experience.
Chitranjan Bakhshi along with Andrew Cooke of Visit
England and Peter Salmon of Vita Golf, Iceland
world to help grow and build the game in the
midst of the Royal Golf Courses.
The city of Fez has the oldest functional
Suk in the world, which is also recognised by
the UNESCO as an heritage site.