The love story between Egypt and golf dates back to the 19th^e century. Even today, it is possible to play on three historic courses created by the British over a century ago, including the famous Mena House Golf delicately placed at the foot of the imposing Pyramid of Cheops.

Photo: DR

In the 1950s, there were seven world-class golf courses in Egypt. Golf gradually began to decline and most of these courses disappeared with the change in political climate: only the Mena House (under renovation), Alexandria Sporting Club and Gezira survived the changes. But it is the recent boom in golf as a tourist activity and the development of land that makes Egypt today, despite the slowdown in leisure activity due to the political transition, one of the most popular golfing destinations in the world.

In the space of 10 years, golf has experienced spectacular development. There are now 20 first-class golf courses operational in major cities in Egypt and the European Golf Championships have included the country in world-class golf destinations. Real estate developments located in the suburbs of Cairo and or near the city are home to excellent courses, including the Katameya Dunes Golf Course, the Orange Lakes Golf Club, and the Allegria Golf Course. In addition, the destinations on the Red Sea and the Sinai Coast offer wonderful grounds to play.

enhanced security

So much so that big names in golf such as Gary Player, Fred Couples and Karl Litten have already signed some of the courses in the country.

Photo: DR

The next courses to come should benefit from the knowledge of Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones JR., Jack Nicklaus or even the five-time British Open champion, Peter Thompson. With such strengths, it is easy to understand why the quality of golf in Egypt is recognized worldwide.

In 2006, the world organization of golf tour operators, IAGTO, awarded Egypt the coveted annual title of “Golfing Destination to Discover”. Regarding the protection of tourists, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou welcomed when he came to France in September, the reinforced presence of the police 24 hours a day in the main tourist resorts as well as the installation of permanent surveillance cameras in South Sinai, the Red Sea and Luxor.

A particular effort is also focused on securing the movements of tourist groups with the systematic presence of security forces, the purchase of patrol vehicles and the installation of new control devices such as explosives detectors. These efforts must now be translated into reality for the long term so that Egypt becomes, in the eyes of all players, one of the most beautiful golf paradises…

David Raynal

Photo: DR

List of the main golf courses in Egypt:

Alexandria and the Mediterranean Sea

• Alexandria Sporting Club
• Porto Marina El Alamein

Cairo and its surroundings

• Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort
• Gezira Sporting Club
• Solaimaneyah Golf City - Pyramids GC
• Dreamland Golf and Tennis Club
• Mena House Golf Club
• JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club
• Amaranth Golf City

Luxor

• Royal Valley Golf Club

The Red Sea

• Stella di mare Golf Resort - The Links- Ain Sokhna
• El Gouna Golf Club
• Madinat Makadi Golf Resort - Makadi Bay
• Steigenberger Al Dau Resort - Hourghada
• The Cascades Golf and Country Club –Soma Bay

Sinai peninsula

• Taba Heights Golf Resort
• Maritim Jolie Ville Golf and Resort