Why golf Pros are choosing Egypt as their next golf holiday destination
I’m fortunate to have travelled, visited, stayed and hosted golf holidays in many outstanding golf resorts and hotels across multiple countries. Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco and Tunisia to name a few.
Don’t get me wrong; all are great and unique in their own way. But I wanted something different. Something memorable that would stay with me long after I returned home.
So, when the opportunity arose to visit Egypt on a FAM trip (Familiarisation Trip) booked through and in association with Golf Escapes, I jumped at the chance.
Nothing prepared me for what I was about to experience
Now forgive me, but the extent of my knowledge of this fascinating country was low to say the least. My initial thought would be that we’d play a few golf courses and when we weren’t in “golf mode” then the sight seeing element would kick in – Giza Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum. We’ll come back to this later.
Soma Bay, Red Sea Coast
Located on the Red Sea coast, Soma Bay is a peninsula that is self-contained and exclusive. The coastline is simply stunning: a contrast of bright white sandy beaches and the turquoise, crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Popular for diving, snorkelling and kitesurfing it also provides world class golf.
My home for the night would be The Cascades Golf Resort, Spa & Thalasso. Once the bags were checked in and being delivered to my room, there was an opportunity
to visit the driving range and the unique Par 3 Challenge Course at Somabay Golf, that is next to the hotel in the resort. Both facilities are completely floodlit. The driving range is vast, perfect soft, spongy turf with pyramids of brand-new golf balls lined up waiting to be dispatched into the night sky.
The Par 3 Challenge Course is like nothing I have ever seen before. Immaculate in presentation, designed by Jamie Edwards and Tim Lobb, it provides an environment to improve your short game skills by creating the exact conditions to be found later on the two on-site golf courses. Great for hosting short game clinics or a fun evening competition.
After a restful night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, I headed down to reception to find my golf buggy ready and waiting. I was to play the back nine of the Gary Player Championship golf course.
To say a golf course is “world class” is a high accolade to give; however, this truly is. The scenery is simply stunning, with many of the holes running adjacent to the white sandy beaches that stretch alongside the Red Sea coastline. Don’t be put off by the “Championship” tag, as this course and design are suitable for all abilities – choose wisely as to which of the four sets of tees to play from.
An absolute delight. The friendly, polite and attentive staff greet you as you walk off a green every three or four holes with extra cold water and ice-cold towels, which is a nice touch and only adds to the pleasure of the experience.
After a relaxing refreshment break, I jumped on the buggy to drive to the 10th tee of the second golf course on-site at Somabay Golf, called Hidden Coves.
Shorter in length than its sister, the Gary Player Championship course, the holes at Hidden Coves wind through the original contours of the land. The backdrop is of a stunning contrast: desert mountains on one side and the Red Sea to the other. It’s breath-taking. With the front nine to open fully in January 2027, Somabay Golf will provide two outstanding on-site golf courses.
What became very evident is that there there is so much more to this destination than just golf. Following the round at Hidden Coves, I headed to the marina at Soma Bay and boarded a boat. I headed out to sea and the boat stopped close to the “Seven Pillars”. Named after seven huge, almost vertical coral formations that rise from the seabed below, this hugely popular dive site is teeming with marine life. Following 45 minutes of snorkelling the next challenge of the day was to play “Boat Golf” from the deck of the boat! The challenge was to pitch a golf ball into a hole on a floating astroturf target that was drifting roughly 50 yards away in the Red Sea!
El Gouna in the Red Sea, an exclusive eco-friendly resort…
Following the boat trip adventure, bags were packed and I was off to my next destination – El Gouna.
Renowned for its vivid and resonant marina life and twisting turquoise lagoons, El Gouna is an exclusive, eco-friendly resort town on the Red Sea coastline. What strikes you first is how safe you feel. I felt totally at ease pottering around the little streets taking in the cosmopolitan atmosphere. It was great to eat out late in the evening before heading to my next home for a two-night stay at the Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna.
Now this really is a special place. An elegant hotel, with impressive rooms that enjoy views of the verdant gardens and glistening blue lagoons. Two swimming pools with one heated throughout winter, the resort also has its own lagoon beach in addition to a lavish spa and wellness centre.
Access to El Gouna Golf Club, the Championship course on-site, is via a small ferry that travels across the main lagoon that also serves as the driving range. The “aqua range” is unique and has targets set within the lagoon to aim towards using floating golf balls. Great fun for warming up before your round or to host a coaching session.
Multiple tee locations make this highly rated golf course playable for all abilities.
Designed by Gene Bates and Fred Couples, it is a great design set within lagoon waterways and far-reaching views towards the Red Sea mountains. Once again, the condition of the entire golf course could only be described as immaculate.
Following the round of golf at El Gouna Golf Club, I enjoyed more snorkelling and a sunset boat cruise before heading back to the resort, where a table was booked at Harumaki, the Japanese restaurant. I had one of the best seats in the house, right next to the grill, where I could enjoy a full teppanyaki experience from my theatrical and animated chef. An excellent way to end another perfect day!
My final day and round of golf
My final day and round of golf of my Egyptian adventure would see me play 18 holes at Ancient Sands Golf Resort. There’s a stunning 5-star hotel alongside the impressive golf course on-site located within this desert oasis. There is also a 3-hole academy course that complements the extensive practice facilities that are perfect for warming up or hosting a group coaching session.
Golfers can enjoy memorable views of the desert landscape set with a mountain backdrop. Holes on the course follow the natural contours of the land and many fairways are flanked by the waters of crystal-clear lagoons.
An interesting golf course with many unique features such as a Par 6 hole (the 2nd) and holes 13, 15 and 18 have semi-island greens. A pleasure to play!
As I headed back to Hurghada International Airport to catch my flight home, it gave me time to reflect on how special this part of Egypt is. The design, condition and quality of the golf courses are worthy of the “world-class” status.
For PGA Professionals hosting tuition trips and holidays, the practice facilities are excellent. The welcome and service from the staff at each of the three golf courses I played were both respectful and exemplary.
There is so much more to enjoy than just golf. The boat trips, snorkelling, sandy white beaches and the glistening azure Red Sea. The cuisine is outstanding and the hotels stylishly lavish. What’s not to like!
But above all, you totally relax as you feel safe. I mean really safe!
Soma Bay is an amazing location. In addition to The Cascades Golf Resort, Spa & Thalasso, there are other luxury hotels to consider, including the Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay, Sheraton Soma Bay Resort and Robinsons Soma Bay.
El Gouna has a feel and vibe that’s different. A bustling marina with shops and restaurants to walk out to of an evening. Winding streets to explore and an active nightlife to enjoy.
If you want more than just golf on your next holiday, then consider a stay at either Soma Bay or El Gouna, or better still, both.
Or if you’re feeling even more adventurous, why not a two-centre stay? A week in Cairo to sample the sightseeing before heading to Soma Bay and El Gouna, and enjoy all the delights that the Red Sea can offer.
I guarantee you’ll enjoy every minute, and I can’t wait to take my clients to this magical location.
Written by: Rupert Hunter, Advanced PGA Professional, PGA Director of Golf
Follow Rupert on Instagram @ruperthunterpga
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