GOLF DU SOLEIL

GOLF DU SOLEIL

RED 9TH

BLUE 7TH

BLUE 8TH

YELLOW 8TH

RED 9TH

CLUBHOUSE

RED 8TH

BLUE 18TH

FOLLOW THE SUN

Golf du Soleil – “Golf of the Sun” never has the name been more apt, for this is holiday golf at its most excellent.

There is a distinct absence of punishing rough on the course but don’t be duped into thinking that the course will be a pushover, as the architect has cunningly used strategic bunkering and a liberal deployment of water hazards to bestow a challenging layout that will be both taxing to golfers seeking pars and birdies whilst being extremely enjoyable to those of lesser ability. Such is the quality of Golf du Soleil that it has hosted many prestigious tournaments including several European Challenge Tour events.

Built on relatively flat terrain, the land has been meticulously moulded to provide an intriguing test of golf. Originally designed with three loops of nine holes, a further nine have recently been added to create two very distinct courses. The “Red” and “Yellow” loops arguably now form the “Championship” course, being both the longer and more demanding combination. With the first tee of the Yellow loop being nearest to the clubhouse and the delightful par 3, 9th hole of the Red loop, played over a lake and finishing in front of the clubhouse, it would be natural to assume that was the order in which the course was designed to be played.

The Yellow loop commences with a straight forward par 4 measuring 400 yards and whilst the 2nd hole is more stringent at 440 yards there should not be too many disasters over the opening holes. Neither of the par 5’s on this loop are long by modern standards and birdies are definitely in a golfer’s mind when standing on the tee, although the 7th hole has a tricky, uphill, semi-blind drive onto a plateau, which may present problems to those susceptible to a slice. Water comes into play on the penultimate hole of the nine, where the approach shot to the green will need to be flown all the way to the putting surface to ensure safety. The same lake lurks to punish poorly played tee shots on the following hole.

The Red loop launches with a comparatively short, if not well bunkered, par 4, before the 2nd hole, with a yardage that barely constitutes its status of a par 5, beckons a barrage of birdies, particularly if the golfer summons the courage to cut the corner of the dogleg. Semi-blind shots from the 5th tee and to the 6th green combined with undulating topography give this section of the course a veritable links flavour until you arrive on the tee of the aforementioned 9th hole. The Yellow and Red loops provide ample opportunity to fashion a good score, particularly on the par 5’s, equally there is plenty of potential for disaster!

Nine new holes have been added to the original Blue loop to create an 18 hole course and have been designed to accommodate the Tikida Golf Palace Hotel, which they circumnavigate in such a way as to ensure that the Blue course is an entity within itself, the 9th tee being adjacent to the hotel rather than the clubhouse.

The first hole, a par 5, may yield a birdie for golfers diligent enough to warm up on the practice range before the round. The new holes commence at the 3rd hole, again a par 5 of reachable proportions after which the course ascends to its highest point, where from the 5th green there are panoramic vistas across the River Souss estuary and the sand dunes to the Atlantic Ocean. Another par 5 drops the course down into a valley followed by two exquisite holes which encompass the hotel. Firstly, a par 3 measuring 155 yards is played to green with a lake lurking menacingly just yards from the putting surface. Observing golfers trying to retrieve their errant shots from the watery grave provides a constant source of amusement for guests of the hotel whilst sipping contentedly on their pre-prandial drinks on the impressive patio and lawned gardens. The tee shot at the 8th, is probably the most restrictive on the course and although not long, accuracy is paramount as the lake is a constant threat on the left. Once the tee shot is successfully despatched a medium to short iron is required to fly the lake to reach a small, well guarded green. The course returns to the original holes on the 12th, a delightful dog-leg with a semi-blind tee shot. It is indeed refreshing in an era dominated by length and power that none of the par 3 holes require woods to reach the putting surfaces and the 15th hole, at 161 yards, falls perfectly into this category. The onus is very much on correct club selection as the green is surrounded on the right and to the rear by water.

Finishing with a par 3 is something of an exception and given that the closing holes on both courses at Golf du Soliel do, must be a rarity indeed. However, a grandstand finale is guaranteed as both holes are played over a lake to well bunkered greens that sit majestically in front of the elegant clubhouse, built in a traditional Moroccan style with heavy Moorish influences. There surely can’t be a more serene setting in which to relax with well earned refreshments, basking in the ambience, as time goes by….

The pleasures of golf…

FOLLOWING THE SUN!

Championship course (Yellow/Red)
Course Facts-
•   Opened 1999
•   Architects- Fernando Muella & Gérard Courbin
•   Length- Championship Tees 6574 Yards
                     Medal                 Tees 6124 Yards
                     Ladies                Tees 5264 Yards
•   Par 72
•   CADDIES OBLIGATORY (except if hiring a buggy)
•   Buggies, Club Hire (not pre-bookable)
•   Soft-Spikes Required

BLUE COURSE
Course Facts-
•   Opened 1999
•   Architects- Fernando Muella & Gérard Courbin
•   Length- Championship Tees 6093 Yards
•   Par 72
•   CADDIES OBLIGATORY (except if hiring a buggy)
•   Buggies, Club Hire (not pre-bookable)