The Hassan II Golf Trophy and the Lalla Meryem Cup return after 3 years of interruption.
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Trophy Association, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, are organizing the 47th Hassan II Golf Trophy and the 26th Lalla Meryem Cup at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat from February 6 to 11, 2023.
The Hassan II Trophy has attracted, since its creation in 1971, a host of world-class professional players. Having become a must on the international golf scene, this prestigious competition is entering a new era with the PGA Tour Champions, which welcomes the most recognized senior players in the world of golf. Colin Montgomerie , José Maria Olazàbal , Bernhard Langer as well as David Toms are among the 66 legends expected for this special edition of the Hassan II Trophy, which places the event under the sign of the Return of the Champions. Many of these players have trod the fairways of the dazzling Red Course in the past, and some have even taken home the iconic Khanjar.
The Lalla Meryem Cup, which is part of the Ladies European Tour (LET) will bring together, on the Blue Course, the European elite of women’s golf. Among the 96 players expected, a record number of national participants is expected, headed by Ines Laklalech , winner of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France in 2022 and qualified for the LPGA for 2023, Maha Haddioui, who has represented Morocco on two occasions at the Olympic Games and Malak Bouraeda, first Moroccan to qualify for the US Women’s Open.
These two competitions will take place simultaneously on the same site, perpetuating a tradition of diversity established in 1993 by His late Majesty King Hassan II, illustriousfounder of both tournaments.
Young people are also honored. A junior competition in the pro- am format is planned on the Green Course with young golfers from the First Tee program and professional players. First Tee, very popular in the United States, is a non-profit organization created in 1997, which has made it possible to understand and respond to many problems that characterize society by teaching life skills through the practice of Golf.
This event will, as usual, be open to the general public free of charge. Entertainment on the courses and catering areas as well as a playground will guarantee a complete experience for all visitors to discover golf through practice and play. The significant efforts made by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association for the success of these events attest to a desire to succeed and further promote the culture and practice of golf in Morocco. These competitions also reinforce the tourist attractiveness of the Kingdom as a golfing nation par excellence.