Somabay Golf Championship Course — Gary Player's masterpiece on the Red Sea

South African Gary Player is known for his spectacular and often uncompromising designs. Anyone who knows places like Thracian Cliffs or Fancourt knows that Players courses demand everything from the player. The Championship Course in Somabay, south of Hurghada, is no exception: It is an award-winning masterpiece that combines the rugged beauty of the Egyptian desert with the Red Sea.

Before you go for a round, you should familiarise yourself with a botanical feature: Kikuyu grass. It grows so densely that the ball barely rolls and is literally swallowed in the rough. The golden rule in Somabay is therefore: Avoid the rough at all costs! Another decisive factor is the wind, which is a real test, especially at midday hours, and takes full advantage of the exposed coastal location.

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Front Nine: Coastal Magic and Racket Choice

The Front Nine offer a varied mix. An early highlight is track 5, a par 3 that is right by the sea. Here, choosing clubs in windy conditions is purely a matter of feeling. The following par-4 (lane 6) takes players right along the coast line — a visual pleasure that requires full concentration so as not to sacrifice the ball to the waves.

Back Nine: The “Great Wall of Soma”

The tension does not subside on the second half either. The 14th track, a long par 4, requires a precise tee shot into a landing zone that is lined with desert and waste areas. Lane 16, which bears the distinctive name “Great Wall of Soma” and ends with significantly raised greenery right by the sea, is just as beautiful as it is demanding.

The furious finale leads back to the clubhouse on the 18th. This par 5 requires strategic skill once again: While the fairway appears wide at first, water hazards come into play on the left side in the last quarter. The green itself is elevated and drops to the right, which makes the final approximation even more difficult.

Resort golf with sporting standards

The Gary Player Championship Course is much more than a classic resort course. It offers a steep learning curve due to the unusual grass and the wind. If you are not looking for a borderline sporting experience, you should definitely consider choosing a tea box higher up front. With excellent practice facilities, the new Hidden Coves Course and a floodlit par-3 course, Somabay offers a complete package that is ideal for golf and beach vacationers alike.