The housewarming of the Morocco Golf Cup takes place this Friday at the Zoute. This amateur competition reserved for seniors aims to highlight the fantastic golfing offer of Morocco to Belgian players.

Morocco is a dream destination for golfers. To its sunny climate all year round and its high-level hotel infrastructure, the country adds high-quality courses perfectly maintained and manicured. The spots of Agadir, Essaouira, Tangier, Rabat and of course Marrakech are particularly popular with connoisseurs.

It was under the leadership of King Hassan II that the sport of StAndrews developed in Morocco during the second half of the 20th century. The monarch was a true swing enthusiast, to the point of having hired, as a personal trainer, the famous Butch Harmon, future coach of Tiger Woods! But it is in Tangier that was born, in 1914, under the era of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz, the first Moroccan golf club and one of the first of the African continent. Designed by the English architect Henry Cotton, it was called the Diplomatic Country Club and was mainly frequented by ambassadors and businessmen.

A little later, in 1927, the Royal Golf Club of Marrakech was born. Work of Gustave Golias and Arnaud Massy, it quickly became the favorite course of King Hassan II. And it is still one of the most prestigious in the country. Throughout its history, it has hosted many major international competitions. Several heads of state, such as Winston Churchill or Ike Eisenhower, loved to relax in the shade of palm trees.

The Royal Golf Dar Es Salam is also a must. It was designed in 1971 on the initiative of Hassan II, who asked the mythical American architect Robert Trent Jones to transform one of his properties in Rabat into a fabulous golf complex, marked by cork oaks and umbrella pines. A pure wonder that always makes reference.

Today, golf has become an important tourist asset for Morocco which lists, on its territory, forty courses all more beautiful than the others. «They are often integrated into luxury resorts, which is ideal for visitors», says Rabia Talhimet, Benelux Director of the Moroccan National Tourism Office.

The airline Royal Air Maroc also cares for the comfort of birdies hunters. ‘From Brussels we offer many direct flights to Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Rabat and Nador. Other destinations are served via the Casablanca Hub such as Agadir, Fez or Errachida. With the bonus, free golf bag. This is obviously a real privilege,’ confirms Walid El Khassal, Benelux Director of Royal Air Maroc in Belgium. It is to (re)highlight this magnificent destination with Belgian players that was created the Morocco Golf Cup, whose first edition starts this Friday, April 28 at the Royal Zoute. This new competition is reserved for senior players (50 years and older).

It will therefore logically compete during the «Seniors Days», with five rounds on the calendar: Le Zoute (28 April), Waterloo (9 May), La Tournette (11 July), Sept Fontaines (5 September) and Naxhelet (12 September). The Belgian final is scheduled for 9 October at the Golf Château de la Tournette in Nivelles.

It will bring together the winners of the different qualifying rounds. And ten teams will have the privilege of meeting in December for the grand final on two of the most renowned courses in Marrakech: the Rotana Palmeraie (par 72), designed around lakes by the famous American architect Robert Trent Jones Sr, and the Al Maaden (par 73), majestic work of Kyle Philips.

Thirty-six very challenging holes with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop: you can’t dream of a better green setting!