Groundbreaking Tournament at Al Houara Golf Club
In a remarkable event, seventy-five golfers gathered at the Al Houara Golf Club in Tangier, Morocco, marking a historic milestone for the Asociación Española de Jugadores Senior de Golf (AESGOLF). This tournament is particularly significant as it represents the first national competition hosted outside of Spain in the organization's sixty-five-year history, thereby incorporating a Moroccan course into its prestigious calendar.
The selected venue is a premier golf course co-designed by the renowned Masters champion, Vijay Singh, alongside Graham Marsh. According to Golf.com, it is ranked among the top one hundred golf courses in the world, making it an ideal location for this groundbreaking event.
Filiberto Cano, the president of AESGOLF, expressed the importance of this endeavor, stating, “It was a significant challenge for us. At AESGOLF, we strive to innovate, and this national event has been a tremendous success. The vast majority of participating players are eager to repeat the experience.” He further emphasized the convenience of accessing Morocco from Spain, highlighting that it is only about an hour by plane and that the course offers exceptional conditions. “Morocco is an excellent golf destination because it combines four essential elements: proximity, affordability, quality of the courses, and a favorable climate. Coupled with the warm hospitality of its people, it undoubtedly represents a fantastic option for Spanish golfers,” Cano added.
Champion and Course Experience
The tournament's Scratch Champion was Julián García Mayoral, who completed the two-day event with a total of 149 strokes (75 and 74). This was his first experience on the Al Houara course, which he praised enthusiastically: “The course was in perfect condition, with well-balanced bunkers and water hazards; the greens were large yet fast and undulating, and the views while navigating the course were exceptional. We also had time to visit the city, and I was utterly amazed,” remarked the winner, who had to put in considerable effort to surpass Juan Martínez Campos, who was leading after the first day.
With this inaugural national tournament held outside of Spain, AESGOLF has officially embraced Morocco into its annual schedule. Many participating players concurred that Morocco's golfing offerings are evolving beautifully, stretching from the Mediterranean to the desert, and from the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic beaches. The sport, which arrived in Morocco in the early twentieth century with the Royal Country Club in Tangier, is steeped in culture and tradition, making it one of the oldest golf courses in Africa.
As Morocco seeks to bridge Mediterranean and Atlantic leaders, it aims to foster communication, information exchange, and understanding among diverse cultures.
As reported by atalayar.com.
