Close your eyes and imagine. You boldly grab your 7 iron facing the ocean, while an invigorating wind with the false air of sirocco whips your face and finishes your blow-dry. On the very port side, an old city once fortified by the Portuguese is about to cast an absent-minded eye on your swing. It must be said that she saw others, El Jadida. You gently place the ball, breathe deeply and visualize the standard floating proudly on a green setting. It's time to go. Time freezes, as in Matrix. Even the Atlantic holds its breath...

This painting was (unfortunately) never painted but exists in the real world. This is hole n°15 of Mazagan, undoubtedly one of the most scenic par 3s in the Morocco, almost final touch to one of the most beautiful courses in North Africa, itself nestled in one of the best golf resorts on the continent. The dithyramb is not superfluous. About a hundred kilometers south of Casablanca, this little gem sculpted in 2009 by a South African artist named Gary Player generously offers you a pure moment of pleasure. A pleasure for the eyes first of all, since the sea is part of the decor (except on No. 3) throughout the journey and certain holes, like 15, leave you speechless. The first of them, a spectacular left dogleg below, opens the proceedings with dignity.

The mark of the great courses

Pleasure of the game too and above all. The menu expertly concocted by the legendary Gary Player is varied, even if the big indexes will find it a little salty at times, a shame for a region cultivating sugar beets as far as the eye can see. Because the beast knows how to defend itself, especially when Aeolus comes out of its den. The wind, as capricious as a young child, can even mess up your scorecard here, especially when the last shot takes place on the edge of the ocean (holes 15, 16 and 18). And how can we not mention these so aptly named witches' claws, which swarm here and there around the longest course in the kingdom (almost 7 meters from the back tees all the same) and prove to be real ball eaters. To limit the risks of seeing these formidable creeping plants turn into a Pro V000 cemetery for lost tourists, a light mowing of the rough was added along the edge of the fairway a few years ago, in agreement with the South African maestro. “We listen to the players and try to make the course as pleasant as possible”, confesses the golf director, Marwann Chamsseddine. This former Moroccan champion also holds the course's appeal (-8), proof that a rain of birdies can fall at any time on the Doukkala region, provided you take care of your putting into play.

In complete peace

The Mazagan golf course benefits from two other major assets. The sun king reigns majestically there all year round, temperatures rarely venturing below 15 degrees in the middle of winter and above 30 in summer thanks to the softening virtues of the Atlantic. Above all, the course generally remains uncrowded, even when the hotel is full, and players can therefore satisfy their passion at their own pace. A real luxury compared to other golf resorts of the same standard as crowded in high season as the Parisian ring road during rush hour. The green fee is offered every day for hotel guests, who also benefit from a discount on spa treatments and pro-shop items, an hour of lessons and the possibility of playing free of charge in three other partner golf courses*. Mazagan: tested, approved and highly recommended.

Frank Crudo

* The Tony Jacklin in Casablanca, the Palmeraie Country Club in Casablanca and the Royal Golf El Jadida.

©Mazagan Beach Resort

THE MAZAGAN BEACH RESORT

Built in the late 2000s by South African tycoon Sol Kerzner (Sun City, that's him), the Mazagan Beach Resort is the perfect place to spend a family golf vacation. And quality. Housing nearly 500 recently renovated Moorish-inspired rooms, the hotel offers an impressive myriad of activities in addition to golf: fitness, swimming pool, tennis and mountain biking, but also karting, camel rides (or pony rides for children ), pickleball, trampoline, archery, climbing, paintball, windsurfing, dune buggy, zip line... Gourmets will delight in the 13 restaurants of the hotel complex, with a special mention for the Buddha's Lebanese cuisine -Bar and tasty fish from Sel de Mer. A spa with a subdued atmosphere offers a complete range of treatments, including one specially designed for golfers. The ultimate originality is that the hotel houses one of the most famous casinos in Africa, which explains the notable presence of a substantial security service at reception.

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