MESMERISING MOROCCAN LINKS

Mystical, magical, a land filled with the dreams of a thousand nights, and much golf to be discovered.

- BENNY TEO

The recently concluded World Cup event in Qatar had brought a little-known African nation to the fore - Morocco; its inspirational charge to the semi-finals lit up the tournament, and the imaginations of millions of fans around the world.

If football isn't the first thought of mind when one conjures imageries of the sweeping Mediterranean coast that borders its lands, perhaps golf might be, though surprisingly, it also hasn't been on the radar of links seekers the world over.

Known for its uniquely rich culture centered on religion and tradition and an abundance of beaches, mountains, ranges, and deserts, it is widely regarded as "The Arab West" with its combination of strict adherence to the Islamic faith and openness to tourists and visitors.

Morocco has also rapidly developed a reputation for the game of golf, with as many as 45 courses sited within a country just slightly larger than the US state of California, which also shares a similar climate.

The highest concentration of golf courses surrounds the key cities of Rabat, Marrakech and Casablanca with Agadir in the south playing home to some beautiful tracks, and others around Fes and Tangier.

This year, professional golf returned to a nation that once held various events in the European Tour that included the Trophée Hassan Il as well as the Moroccan Open.

In November 2022, the Asian Tour brought world class golfing back in the International Series Morocco, held at the pristine Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, and won by the precocious young Thai star, Jazz Janewattananond.

The high-profile International Series was launched earlier this year as a result of a partnership between the Asian Tour and LIV Golf to revitalize the game in Asia and the Middle East.