It has been five years since Greencard last visited Marrakech, an oasis in the shadow of the beautiful Atlas Mountains and only three and half hours flight from the UK.
Total Revamp for Greencard Tour Morocco Event
On our previous visits we stayed at the Es Saadi Hotel and the last golf itinerary included rounds on Amelkis, Palmeraie, Royal and the then newly opened Nicklaus designed Samanah course. The general feeling amongst the group at the conclusion of the event was that the Hotel was becoming rather dated and in need of refurbishment. The Royal course, the first to be opened in Marrakech was now rather uninspiring, compared with others and whilst Amelkis was fine and Samanah was a much needed breath of fresh air, it was apparent that should we return changes would have to be made to our programme.
Sofitel Marrakech was chosen as the new home for our 2015 Greencard Tour Morocco Event
As a result we replaced the Es Saadi with the nearby five star Sofitel Lounge & Spa. The hotel was very comfortable, offered excellent food and was ideally located, allowing our clients to easily access the Medina and local restaurants. On the golf front the last five years have seen the arrival of several new courses and our itinerary now included rounds on Noira and Al Maaden in addition to Amelkis and Samanah.
Team Howell take the Am-Am spoils in close finish
The first round was the usual team event and was held on Amelkis. The weather forecast was a little unsettled for the beginning of the week, but then improved as the days passed with beautiful weather promised for the latter part of the week. As we waited on the first tee, the sun was shining and we were ready to get things rolling with the Am Am. It was a closely fought affair but in the end the team captained by Claire Howell and including Howard Domney and Gene Nyitray took victory by a single point.
Neil McGarva Leads the Way at Spectacular Noira Golf Club
The following day we moved to the newly opened Noira Golf. The impressive clubhouse was receiving its final touches and as such was not yet open, but the course most certainly was open for play. We were in for a real treat, the layout is superb and there are some wonderfully memorable holes including rectangular greens guarded by stunning water hazards. The design of the clubhouse was equally spectacular and once this course has had a little time to settle down and mature, it will be simply superb.
Spectacular Clubhouse at the Noira Golf Club
The course obviously suited our early leader Neil McGarva, who carded a very respectable 33 points. Jim Barton had 32, Jez Morgan 31 and Mark Stacey 29.
Pack Start the Chase at Amelkis
Whilst we had escaped any rain for the first couple of rounds and indeed enjoyed some sunshine, the forecast for the second round at Amelkis was looking unseasonably unsettled. However, we set off in the dry and whilst the showers were a little on heavy side when they came through we completed the round once again in dry conditions. Neil’s form continued from the previous day and whilst he might not be the longest player on Tour, his short game is currently one of the best and he used this to great effect.
His score of 37 points took his overall total at the half way stage to 70 and a lead of 7 shots over Jez Morgan who shot 32 in the second round. Alan Tilbrook had great day finishing with 35 and moved into third position overall. Meanwhile Mel Barton and Claire Howell shared the leading lady position with 58 points. Claire only required one more tour point to qualify for the finals week after finishing in second place at San Lorenzo on the New Year event.
The free day followed and several of us took the opportunity to visit and play another new course, Domaine Royal. As with Noira, the layout was superb and proved hugely enjoyable to play. Their clubhouse is due to open in October and this will only enhance the experience of playing here.
Even Big Jack can’t halt the McGarva Roll!
When the curtains were opened the next morning we were greeted by a cloudless blue sky and bright sunshine. The Jack Nicklaus designed Samanah was the venue for the third round. It is an excellent course and as is typical with Nicklaus it certainly tests your game. Neil once again came out on top with 35 points and extended his overall lead to 8 shots from Jez Morgan, going into the final round, who finished the day with 34. Gene enjoyed his best score of the week, also carding a 34. Mark finished with 32 with Alan and Howard on 31.
Dramatic Background to the Jack Nicklaus Designed Samanah Golf Course
Double Qualifiers For the 2015 Greencard Tour Finals
The weather was now well and truly settled and more sunshine and blue sky made the final round at Al Maaden extremely enjoyable. Another excellent course, with tremendous greens and several memorable holes, including the 18th which required a tee shot over water followed by an approach to a green situated in front of the impressive clubhouse with water features surrounding the seating areas.
Debbie Morgan had the top score of the day with a fantastic 36 points. Claire and Howard both finished the week with 35 and claimed overall positions of fourth and fifth respectively. Jim Barton finished with his highest score of the event with 34, a score matched by Neil. It was enough for him to deservedly secure his second Greencard title. Jez had been in the mix all week and his final round 29 ensured that he finished in second position. Meanwhile Alan Tilbrook’s consistency throughout the four rounds enabled him to claim third place. Congratulations to Neil and Claire who have both now qualified for the Grand Finals in Portugal to be held later in the year.
Winners Group From the 2015 Greencard Tour event in Morocco
We Will Return to New & Improved Marrakech
Marrakech is changing all the time as a golfing destination and I believe that the area will only continue to improve. The recent addition of courses such as Al Maaden, Noira, Domaine Royal and the Montgomerie which are all set against the back drop of the stunning Atlas Mountains make this a venue that simply cannot be ignored. I look forward to holding another Greencard event here in the near future and hope that you will be able to join us.
