Moroccan double bill

By Matt Cooper Last updated: 17th March 2010

This week, for the first time ever, the European Tour and the Ladies European Tour will contest tournaments in the same country at the same time.

Here is Matt Cooper's guide to the big week in Morocco:

Two events in one week?

Yes and, although it is unique for two professional tour events to take place con-currently, it is not the first time for the events themselves: until this year the two have been end-of-season limited field tournaments but, for three years at least, they will be on the main tour schedules.

Does Morocco have a history of golf?

The first real enthusiasm for golf in Morocco came after the First World War. Haj Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech, loved the game and established a course in 1923. A second wave of course development came later in the 20th century, due largely to the rise of tourism.

How old is the King Hassan II Trophy?

It first took place in 1971 which makes it the longest running sports event in Morocco. The King himself was an avid golf fan and the event, played out of season, often attracted some of the biggest names in golf. It was first won by the 1969 US Open winner Orville Moody, Billy Casper (a close personal friend of the King) won twice in 1973 and 75, Lee Trevino was victor in 1977, Vijay Singh claimed top spot in 1991, Payne Stewart went back-to-back in 1992 and 93, Nick Price won in 1995, David Toms in 1999, Padraig Harrington in 2007 and Ernie Els in 2008.

And the Lalla Meryem Cup?

It was founded in 1993 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness the Princess Lalla Meryem. Winners have included Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson, Lora Fairclough and Johanna Head.

Where do they play?

Both events have traditionally taken place at Royal Dar Es Salam but this year the ladies move down the coast to the Royal Golf Anfa Mohammedia near Casablanca. The men's event will take place on the Red and Blue courses at Royal Dar - with the pros playing alongside amateurs in the first two rounds before completing the tournament alone on the Red course.

Is Royal Dar Es Salam a respected course?

Definitely. Get hold of any book about the great golf courses of the world and Royal Dar always features. Robert Green, author of Classic Golf Holes said it was "surely the best course on the continent outside South Africa". The ninth hole is a 188 yard par-three which plays to an island green resembling the famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. The Red Course winds through cork trees, is very tight in places and has small bent-grass greens. With those cork oaks, deep blue lakes populated by flamingos, immaculately groomed fairways and greens, bougainvillea orange and apricot trees, plus wild flowers in the lush rough, the course is a bit of an oasis.

Is it a Robert Trent Jones Sr track?

Yes. He was commissioned to build 45 holes by King Hassan II between 1970 and 1974. Talking of the King, Jones said, "His is, to put it kindly, a golf nut." The process of building the course was remarkable for Jones. In 1971, whilst attending the King's birthday party (held at a palace with a golf course), there was an attempted coup. It failed but Jones was held at bayonet point for a couple of hours. Perhaps he stayed calm by debating the whys and wherefores of a third bunker on the 16th green.

What about Royal Golf Anfa Mohammedia?

Mohammedia itself is known as a garden city and the course plots between pine and eucalyptus trees. It has been redesigned and rebuilt since flooding in 2003. It is right on the coast and resembles a links in places with exposed rolling dunes. Nearer the hotel it is more like a resort course.

Has the European Tour been to Morocco before?

The Moroccan Open was first played in 1987 - at Royal Dar - and was won by Howard Clark. It was then played every year from 1992 until 2001 with the last champion - also at Royal Dar - being England's Ian Poulter.

And the LET? Has it been to Morocco before?

Yes, the last event was the Marrakech Palmeraie Open which was won by the Australian Alison Munt. Trish Johnson and Sophie Gustafson were previous tournament winners.

Who are the players to look out for?

In the King Hassan II Trophy past winners on the course include Spain's Ignacio Garrido and Sweden's Peter Hedblom. RTJ Sr courses do tend to suit some players and not others. Argentina's Daniel Vancsik has won only twice on the European Tour - but both came on RTJ Sr courses (across the sea in Madeira and at Royal Park in Italy last year). England's David Lynn was second on this course in 2001 and plays RTJ Sr courses well.

And in the ladies?

Most of the field have had to make a punishing journey from Melbourne to Casablanca. Indeed Rebecca Hudson (@Golfingbx) tweeted about her journey of five flights and six countries. It might mean that the players arriving fresh from shorter or less draining schedules will have an advantage. Spain's Paula Marti and France's Jade Schaeffer didn't travel Down Under so they might profit from any jet lag in the field. Whilst Scotland's Carly Booth will be hoping to explode on to the professional scene. The 17-year-old became the youngest ever club champion aged 12 (at Dunblane New GC) and finished 13th in the 2007 Scottish Open aged 14. Confident and talented, she is eyeing up an Aza Munoz style debut (the Spaniard won her first start in Madrid last year).

Is there anything else to watch out for?

Mosquitoes. The LET players were warned a couple of weeks ago to be prepared because of a "plague of attacking mosquitoes". Sounds nice!

Matt Cooper