Gary Player Design Ventures to Morocco


Gary Player Design will make its first appearance in Morocco, in the port city of Essaouira, with a 36 holes of golf. This popular European tourist destination, just a two-hour drive from Marrakesh, boasts an eclectic cultural influence, miles of sandy beaches, a breezy climate and a wealth of history dating back to the 15th century.

SAEMOG shareholders Thomas & Piron, Colbert-Orco and ACCOR – Europe's leader in travel and tourism – have partnered with Gary Player Design to create a unique golfing experience while further promoting tourism for the country. The golf course will be built among the natural dunes on the Atlantic coast and the development will include a hotel and a small number of villas. In addition to the windswept dunes, remnants of an old castle, which Jimi Hendrix sang about in "Castles Made of Sand," will be a distinguishing feature at the tip of the golf course.

Typically Morocco's tourism industry has been centered around towns like Marakesh and Casablanca, which have seen the majority of resort and golf course developments. Since the mid-1990's, however, Essaouira has experienced an explosion of tourist activities and today the city represents the overall attraction of Morocco with both its cultural diversity and aesthetical value.