Golf In The Kingdom

on Nov 15, 2025

The Kingdom’s Light shone on Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez and England’s Cara Gainer who were victorious at The Hassan II Trophy and The Lalla Meryam Cup earlier this year at the Royal Dar Es Salam Golf Club, Rabat.

The Hassan II Trophy and The Lalla Meryam Golf Cup organised by The Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and The Hassan II Trophy Golf Association, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid. Both tournaments are major events on PGA and the Ladies European Tour.

After a week of sensational golf it was Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez who claimed the title in the 49th edition of the Hassan II Trophy finishing 11 under par.

“This victory holds a special place in my heart. The Hassan II Trophy is a unique tournament, and I am deeply honoured to have made my mark here,”

Jiménez.

In the 28th edition of The Lalla Meryem Cup, England’s Cara Gainer claimed her first-ever victory on the Ladies European Tour in an exciting playoff against India’s Diksha Dagar with 9 under par.

Filled with emotion Cara shared, “This is a dream realised. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved today. When I started sinking birdies on the final holes, I knew victory was within my grasp.”

It was a privilege to watch some of Morocco’s own elite women golfers such as Ines laklalech, Maha Haddioui and rising star Sofia Essakali and of course some of our own champions from Ireland, Lauren Walsh, Olivia Mahaffey, Anna Foster, Sara Byrne and Annabelle Wilson.

Over the years many of the world’s golf legends who have competed in this prestigious event, included the late great Severiano Ballesteros and Gary Player. Playing this year were Colin Montgomery, Jose Maria Olazábal, Retif Goosen, Ernie Els, John Daly, and our own Padraig Harrington.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones The Royal Golf Dar Es Salam golf club boasts of two championship golf courses, The Red course and The Blue course. The Hassan Trophy II is played on The Red, this is a tough course which was especially designed to suit the lower handicap player. Interesting winding stretches that run through a forest of cork oak, eucalyptus and palm trees. Lovely water features and tricky bunkers, not for the faint hearted! The Lalla Meryem Cup is played on the Blue course, even though this course is shorter it is no less a testing trek.

Royal Dar Es Salam’s golf courses are maintained to the highest standard, the club has become a model of sustainability using treated wastewater resulting in a lush green landscape.

During the week our group from E.G.T.M.A. did manage to see and experience some of the Kingdom’s magnificent Capital, Rabat. I would thoroughly recommend taking a guided tour as you do get to see and learn more of the city’s fascinating history. Rabat is rich in culture were the historic treasures of the past blend naturally with the modern. Some of the sites and monuments we visited originated back to the seventh century. The most popular attractions include the city’s iconic Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Kasbah des Oudaias and Necropolis of Chellah.

A visit to the Old Medina is a must, colourful narrow streets with traditional cafes and shops that sold all types of hand – crafts, including gorgeous leather bags, paintings, hand made rugs, and magnificent fabrics. A short distance from this magical place you will find modern shops and restaurants.