The future of the Trophée Hassan II has been secured until at least 2018, with the first edition of the three-year extension due to be played at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, from May 5-8, 2016.
The Trophée Hassan II was last held at the Robert Trent Jones-designed venue in 2010, when the tournament – which was first played in 1971 – joined The European Tour. Welshman Rhys Davies claimed his debut European Tour title by two shots from South African Louis Oosthuizen, who would go on to win The Open Championship four months later.
Fittingly, in the year that golf returns to the Olympic Games, both the Trophée Hassan II and the Lalla Meryem Cup on the Ladies European Tour – won last year by France’s Solheim Cup star, Gwladys Nocera – will be played in the same week at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
Situated just 15 minutes outside Rabat’s city centre, Royal Golf Dar Es Salam stretches across 440 hectares of cork oak forest. The 7,434 yards, par 72 Red course will host the Trophée Hassan II, whilst the Lalla Meryem Cup will be played on the Blue course.
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer for The European Tour, said: “It is excellent news that the Trophée Hassan II will run until at least 2018, and fantastic that the tournament will return next May to Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, which is a truly stunning venue. Over the years this prestigious event has become a firm favourite with many of our Members, and I’m sure they will enjoy testing themselves on Robert Trent Jones’ creation next May.
“With golf returning to the Olympic Games in Rio it is perhaps fitting that both the Ladies and Men’s European Tour events will take place at the same venue, and I’m sure the club will prove a worthy host for both tournaments.”
This unique tournament is honoured to have the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, together with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid in his role as President of the Association Trophée Hassan, the promoters of the tournament.
This year the Trophée Hassan II was won by Richie Ramsay, who beat Frenchman Romain Wattel by a single stroke at Golf du Palais Royal, host venue in Agadir for the event for the past five years. The prize fund for the 2016 edition will be €1.5 million.
