The simultaneous holding on the same site of these two competitions, organized by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (FRMG) and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, perpetuates a tradition of diversity established in 1993 by the late HM Hassan II, illustrious founder of the two tournaments, indicates the FRMG in a press release published on its website.
The Hassan II Trophy and the demanding Red Course have attracted world-class professional players since their creation in 1971, notes the press release, noting that this prestigious competition, which has become essential on the international golf scene, will welcome 66 players from the PGA Tour Champions (PGATC), American senior circuit, in which world golf legends such as Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, David Toms and Ernie Els play, all historic winners of the tournament.
“This gives this edition a Return of the Champions atmosphere,” adds the same source.
A very popular stage of the Ladies European Tour (LET), the Lalla Meryem Cup will bring together, on the Blue Course, the European elite of women’s golf. Among the 108 participants, 5 Moroccans are expected including Ines Laklalech, winner of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France 2022, Maha Haddioui, a resident of LET for 11 years and the sensation of the previous edition, Sofia Cherif Essakali who, at the age of 13 , had passed the cut, which is a record for precocity, underlines the press release.
As usual, the juniors are also in the spotlight during the “Pro-am Hassan II Kids Cup by First Tee”. Teams made up of professional players from the PGATC and LET and young golfers from the national “First Tee Morocco” program will compete on Wednesday, February 21 in a fun and informative atmosphere. There are 9 teams made up of two children and a professional who will challenge each other over 9 holes on the green course according to the Scramble game formula.
“These events reinforce the tourist attractiveness of the Kingdom in its capacity as a golf nation par excellence and the significant efforts made by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association for their success attest to a desire to further promote the culture and practice of golf in Morocco,” concludes the press release.