Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, presided by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, organize the 48th edition of the Hassan II Golf Trophy and the 27th edition of the Lalla Meryem Cup at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat.
The simultaneous holding of these two competitions on the same site perpetuates a tradition of gender diversity established in 1993 by His Late Majesty King Hassan II, the illustrious founder of both tournaments.
Established in 1971, the Hassan II Golf Trophy and the challenging red course have consistently drawn the elite of professional golfers worldwide. As an eminent fixture on the global golf calendar, this year’s competition is set to host 66 top-tier players from the PGA Tour Champions (PGATC), the celebrated senior American golf circuit. The event will see the return of legendary figures like Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, David Toms, and Ernie Els, each a past champion, epitomizing the event’s ‘Return of the Champions’ theme.
The Lalla Meryem Cup, a prestigious event on the Ladies European Tour (LET), is set to gather Europe’s top female golfers on the blue course. This year, the tournament will host 108 competitors, including several Moroccan talents. Among them are Ines Laklalech, winner of the 2022 Lacoste Ladies Open de France, Maha Haddioui, a seasoned LET professional of 11 years, and the remarkable young prodigy Sofia Cherif Essakali. At just 13, Sofia made headlines last year by becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut in the tournament.
As usual, juniors take the spotlight this week during the “Pro-am Hassan II Kids Cup by First Tee.” Teams consisting of PGATC and LET professional players, along with young golfers from the national program “First Tee Morocco,” will compete on Wednesday, February 21, in a playful and educational atmosphere.
There will be 9 teams, each comprising two children and one professional, a LET player, or a PGA Tour Champions player, challenging each other on 9 holes on the green course using the scramble format.
From February 19 to 24, 2024, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation warmly invites the youth to engage with the world of golf. True to tradition, the admission is free, encouraging a broad audience to partake in the festivities. Guests can anticipate a rich experience, encompassing not just the excitement of the tournament, but also a variety of dining and entertainment options, alongside a playful area for children. This multifaceted approach ensures a welcoming introduction to golf for newcomers.
This event significantly bolsters Morocco’s reputation as a leading golf destination and reflects the unwavering commitment of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association to cultivate and elevate the sport of golf within the nation.
